Mother Nature at Work, A Guided Tour and On Site Workshop

PICK ONE

Wednesday, August 16, 6:30 to 7:45 pm

Thursday, August 17, 2:00 to 3:15 pm

Friday, August 18, 9:30 to 10:45 am

As much as we would like to control her, Mother Nature usually wins. Successional plants will stay around for a few years, then suddenly disappear. Other plants haphazardly move around, either reseeding or spreading by rhizome. Other plants mature and become much larger than we anticipated. Trees grow and trees die, changing the light and conditions.

This guided tour and workshop is at the Minneapolis home of Wild Ones member, Julia Vanatta. Her garden is a 20 plus year experiment and laboratory of gardening with native plants, incorporating rain and ground water into the designs. We'll review the garden as it is today and discuss how it has evolved over the years.

Julia will be joined by retired landscape designer, Susan Van Baerle. While the host garden is clay, Susan's garden in East Bloomington is sandy loam mix. Her experience with a different ecosystem will add another perspective.

Following each 30 minute tour there will be an open discussion based on the participant questions. We'll share tips about planning a garden that has room to evolve and how to work with Mother Nature.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Class is open to newcomers and experienced gardeners, along with landscape designers who are new to gardening with native plants. Workshop is free and open to the public. Address will be provided in reminder email 2 days before the event.

Offering three dates and times to choose from. Limit of 20 participants per session. Severe weather makeup date will be on Monday, August 21, time TBD.