DRAFT EVENT FOR TESTING PURPOSES DO NOT REGISTER OR ATTEND

Stearns County Horticulture Education Day

sponsored by Stearns County Master Gardeners

Pre-registration by April 11, 2011, is required!

7:45 to 8:30 Registration

8:30 to 8:40 Welcome and Announcements

8:40 to 9:40 Stowaways in the Garden Center
In this session, Michelle will give us insight into how we, as gardeners, can keep pathogens from having the
opportunity to enter our gardens. She will also be teaching us about which pathogens have the
potential to spread into Minnesota, and will give us practical suggestions on how to avoid spreading
them.

10:00 to 11:00 Concurrent Session I

Session A1: Gardening in Small Spaces
Many urban and suburban gardeners have relatively little space, but still would like to grow
vegetables. In this class Bill will cover methods for maximizing yield in small spaces, including square
foot gardening, succession planting, vertical supports, and container gardening.

Session A2: Growing and Using Culinary Herbs and Garlic
In this session, Jeff will be speaking on growing culinary herbs and garlic. He will describe 14 of the top herbs used in cooking, and how to purchase or start these herbs from seed. And, best of all, provide some insight on how you can start an herb garden on your own window sill. Jeff will also present an introduction to growing and using the ‘Rock-star’ garlic.

Session A3: Trees Recommended in Place of Ash
Since the emerald ash borer’s discovery in Minnesota in 2009, many landowners have been left searching
for other trees to use as replacements for ash trees. Replacing ash with a diverse range of tree species
is a sound strategy for dealing with the current reality of emerald ash borer and any other future
invasive pests. In this presentation we will look at alternative tree species that can be used in place of
ash as well as the process of selecting the right tree for the right place.

Session A4: Water Quality for the Green-Minded Gardener
Rain barrels, rain gardens, and native plants...oh my! These are just a few of the great ways you can
have beautiful blooms and plump veggies all while helping the environment out at the same time.
Join us as we go over many great ways you can help reduce run-off, stop erosion, and limit
chemicals just by adding a few simple tricks and techniques to your current green-thumb gardening.
This session is guaranteed to have you going a bit greener and laughing at the same time.

11:15 to 12:15 Concurrent Session II

Session B1: Gardening in Small Spaces
(See session A1 for information.)

Session B2: Clematis: New & Unusual Varieties
Successful Clematis gardening starts with choosing the correct variety for the location. Diane will
pass along information on choosing not only the correct variety, but proper planting methods and
pruning based on the specific variety in your landscape—including clematis for shady locations.
Diane will also introduce you to some unusual varieties that are ‘non-climbing’.

Session B3: Trees Recommended in Place of Ash
(See session A3 for information.)

Session B4: Making the Most of Summer
Terry will discuss zone–specific plant choices to extend the range of bloom on either end of
Summer, plus present growing techniques to maximize the plants you already have, and design
ideas to display perennials for best effect.

12:15 to 1:15 Box Lunch ● Open Greenhouse

1:15 to 2:30 Keynote Session: What’s New in Perennials?

2:45 to 3:45 Concurrent Session III