Growing Green

By Robin Trott, Extension Educator

Spring is on the horizon! Celebrate the season at Let’s Get Growing, Douglas County Master Gardeners’ premier Spring Education Workshop. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this event offers expert insights, educational booths, and a vibrant vendor marketplace.

Event Details

• When: Saturday, April 5, 2025

• Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

• Speaker sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Event concludes at 1 p.m.

• Where: Discovery Middle School, 510 McKay Ave N, Alexandria, MN 56308

• Cost: $20 (payable at the door via check or cash; no credit cards accepted)

• In-Person Only: No virtual option available

• Weather Updates: Visit Douglas County Extension

Speaker Sessions

• Foodscaping: How to Create an Edible Landscape. Speaker: Jake Lunemann, Wright County Master Gardener. Transform your yard into a beautiful, food-producing oasis.

• Backyard Bugs: Friendly or Foes? Speaker: Marissa Schuh, University of Minnesota IPM Extension Educator. Identify helpful vs. harmful insects and learn effective management strategies.

• Climate Resilient Gardening. Speaker: Joe Van Thomme, Ramsey County Master Gardener. Adapt your garden to a changing climate with smart plant selection and soil care.

Vendors and Educational Booths

Browse local gardening products and gain expert knowledge at these booths:

• Ask a Master Gardener: Personalized gardening advice.

• Become a Master Gardener: Learn how to join this knowledgeable community with Sandi Hoffman.

• Small Fruits for the Home Gardener: Grow berries and more with tips from Lewis Struthers.

• Companion Planting: Maximize plant benefits with Kaylee Wilke’s research-backed strategies.

• Seed Starting: Diane Henry shares techniques for thriving seedlings.

• Tree Care & the Emerald Ash Borer: Protect your trees with Marty and Carol Strong.

• Winter Sowing: An economical planting method explained by Daisy Stahlberg.

For more details, contact Douglas County Extension at 320-762-3890, visit the Douglas County Courthouse (305 8th Ave W, Alexandria,), or email mnext-douglas@umn.edu.

Don’t miss this exciting chance to grow your gardening skills and connect with fellow enthusiasts. We can’t wait to see you there!

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“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”  ~ – Alfred Austin