Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

University of Minnesota Extension Educators are excited to bring you the fourth annual Gardening from the Ground Up Zoom webinar series. Free virtual workshops will take place Feb. 20-24, 2023, from 1-2:30 p.m. each afternoon. The series will focus on trees and shrubs in the home landscape. Webinars will cover topics ranging from tree establishment to proper pruning techniques, to tree pest management – all useful for any curious beginner gardener or yard owner. 

Monday, Feb. 20: Establishing

resilient tree and shrub plantings

When we plant a tree, we are often thinking of the future and what this tree will do for our landscape in 10, 20, 50 or even 100 years. In order for our trees and shrubs to live to their full maturity, we must give them their best chance from the very beginning. In this session, Local Extension Educators Katie Drewitz and Quincy Sadowski will share insight on preferred soil types for different trees, planting considerations and common mistakes to avoid. We will also lay the groundwork for the rest of the week’s sessions.

Tuesday, Feb. 21: Managing

pests of trees and shrubs

Insects and diseases can stress our trees and shrubs, but there are several things we can do as homeowners to ensure our trees are in good health overall and are more resilient to stressors. Local Extension Educators Emily Hansen and Claire LaCanne will talk about managing pests by addressing overall tree health and using the principles of integrated pest management.

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Growing

healthy fruit trees and shrubs

From blueberries to plums, apples to honeyberries, Local Extension Educators Troy Salzer and Tarah Young will explore management techniques for woody perennial fruit. In this session, we will discuss varietal selection, pruning of trees, shrubs and bushes, mulching, fertilization, wildlife management, irrigation and harvest techniques to help you find success in growing fruit at home.

Thursday, Feb. 23: Managing

invasive species in woodlands

Dandelions and creeping Charlie tend to plague our lawns and gardens, but what is taking over the woods in the backyard? Local Extension Educators Robin Trott and Shane Bugeja will dive into invasive bushes, plants, vines and trees that damage Minnesota’s forests. How do you identify these woodland weeds from lookalikes? Do we need to report these plants? What’s the best way to control these invasives without hurting native plants nearby? Tackling these important questions (and more!) will be our goal for the day.

Friday, Feb. 24: Confronting

common conifer concerns

Over the past three years of Gardening from the Ground Up, we have received numerous questions about coniferous trees. While several of our sessions have touched upon these issues, we felt it was time to dedicate an entire session to conifers. Local Extension Educators, Shane Bugeja and Katie Drewitz, will showcase common problems of our needled friends, as well as tips for keeping evergreens on your landscape for longer.

Gardeners and yard owners throughout Minnesota and the Midwest may find this series useful. Gardening from the Ground Up is brought to you by University of Minnesota local Extension educators across much of Minnesota, representing Benton, Blue Earth, Douglas, Fillmore, Houston, Hubbard, Le Sueur, Meeker, McLeod, Morrison, Rice, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, St. Louis and Wright counties.

To join us for all or one of these webinars, please go to z.umn.edu/GardenUp to register. When you register for the series, you receive access to all five sessions. Pre-registration is required to receive the webinar link. Recordings of the webinars will be sent out at the conclusion of the series.

If you have questions about the webinar series or need assistance with registration, please call your local Extension office. Residents in Douglas County, please call 320-762-3890.

Until next time, happy gardening!

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A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust. ~Gertrude Jekyll