Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

University of Minnesota Extension Educators are pleased to bring you the fifth annual Gardening from the Ground Up Zoom webinar series. Free virtual workshops will take place Feb. 19-23, 2024, from 1-2:30 p.m. each afternoon. The series will focus on maximizing efficiency in the home landscape. Webinars will cover topics ranging from optimizing fertilizer, water, and space, to reducing stress on your body by using safe body mechanics – all useful for any curious beginner gardener or yard owner.

Monday, Feb. 19 – Boost Your

Garden Harvest: Plant Selection

and Propagation Tips

Learn how to choose the right plants and seeds with Extension Educators Lia Spaniolo and Robin Trott. Discover techniques for plant propagation, seed saving, and using edible plant parts to maximize your garden’s success and yield. Whether you’re growing potatoes, beets, peppers, or zucchini, optimize your garden this season for better results, while saving time and money.

Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Don’t Overapply, Optimize: Tips for Selecting and Applying Fertilizer

Applying nutrients incorrectly can hurt your checkbook, the environment, and your plants. Compost as a fertilizer may seem safe enough, but is it really? Extension Educators Claire LaCanne and Shane Bugeja will review effective nutrient sources and discuss how to fine tune their application – with the goal of promoting productive and happy plants.

Wednesday, Feb. 21 – Water Wisely

We all want our gardens to thrive during the growing season. More water isn’t always the answer. During this session, Extension Educators Katie Drewitz and Tarah Young, will discuss watering methods to improve the overall health and longevity of your plants. They will also dive into several water saving methods you can use at home.

Thursday, Feb. 22 – So Many Veggies, So Little Space

Sometimes lofty goals for a vegetable garden run into the realities of space. How can we get pounds of produce out of a small, raised bed, five-gallon bucket, or even a straw bale? Is there a way to get plants to play nice with one another? Extension Educators Troy Salzer and Shane Bugeja will show you tricks to maximize your area—no matter if you live in the country or in a condo.

Friday, Feb. 23 – Maximizing

Labor Efficiency in Gardening

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting to explore the world of horticulture, this presentation will share with you best practices and tips to continue your love of gardening. During this session, Extension Educators Emily Hansen and Quincy Sadowski, will discuss Maximizing Labor Efficiency in Gardening. They will discuss methods to reduce stress on your body by using safe body mechanics and tools to save time.

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, Hennepin, 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 of Douglas County contact Robin Trott, trot0053@umn.edu or call 320-766-3307.