Hennepin County Master Gardeners

Information Session
2020-09-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2020-09-26 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Menominee)
Thinking of becoming an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer? Want to meet a real, live Master Gardener Volunteer and ask questions about our process and work? Join us on-line for one of our Information Sessions! Let us know you’re coming by e-mailing hcmg@umn.edu. You can also join us at one of the times below by just clicking here.

Care of Houseplants
2021-01-22 18:30 - 19:30
Care of Houseplants
Learn the basics of houseplant care and how water, soil and light affect their health and growth. Special focus will be on selecting and caring for plants in various conditions such as low-light, medium-light, low-humidity, etc. Handouts include a plant list and an article about insect control.
Join us online! This class will be held online. You will receive a link to access the class. This class is held in partnership with multiple Community Education Programs.
See event website for registration details and costs.

Nature Heals
2021-02-06 11:00 - 12:00
Nature Heals
Humans are innately linked to nature and other forms of life. As a gardener, you’ve experienced this feeling and that is why you are drawn towards working with plants. Explore where this intrinsic draw came from and the science behind humans and nature. Discuss how to use gardens and gardening to improve overall health and well-being.

Nature Heals
2021-02-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-03-11 19:00 - 20:00
Nature Heals
The biophilia hypothesis describes how humans are innately linked to nature and other forms of life. Gardeners know this feeling from how they approach the garden and why they are drawn towards working with plants. We will explore where this intrinsic draw came from through the science behind humans and nature. And we finish with how to use nature, and gardening to improve health and well-being.

Sensory Gardens
2021-02-22 18:30 - 19:30
Sensory Gardens
What is a sensory garden? A sensory garden contains a wide range of sensory experiences for heightened sight, sound, smell, touch and taste. It may look like a normal garden, but most often the plants are chosen specifically for the senses. Learn how they started and what design elements can help you create your own sensory garden.
See event website for registration details and costs.

Growing Connections - Hurrah for Houseplants!
2021-02-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-02-25 10:00 - 11:30
Growing Connections – Hurrah for Houseplants!
Why do indoor plants make us happier? They’re not just beautiful; they also clean the air we breathe and reduce our stress. You’ll learn about a variety of houseplants, their unique features, and how to care for them.
Growing Connections is a free gardening program created exclusively for people living with early dementia, and for their care partners, offered by Hennepin County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This class will be held via Zoom.
To learn more about Growing Connections and how to register, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association Help Line at 1-800-272-3900.

Growing Connections - All About Snow (and why we love it)
2021-03-02 10:00 - 23:30, 2021-03-04 10:00 - 11:30
Growing Connections – All About Snow (and why we love it)
There’s a lot to know about snow … and a lot to appreciate, too. You’ll learn how snow creates a cozy blanket that’s as beneficial as it is beautiful — to plants, trees, wildlife and gardeners alike. We’ll also guide you in a fun, snow-related activity. (No boots required!)
Growing Connections is a free gardening program created exclusively for people living with early dementia, and for their care partners, offered by Hennepin County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This class will be held via Zoom.
To learn more about Growing Connections and how to register, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association Help Line at 1-800-272-3900.

Growing Connections - Tropical Plants
2021-03-09 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-03-11 10:00 - 11:30
Growing Connections – Tropical Plants
Join us for a virtual vacation — and forget the sunscreen! We’ll bring exotic beauty right into your living room with visions of vibrant orchids and other amazing tropical plants that flourish indoors, right here in Minnesota.
Growing Connections is a free gardening program created exclusively for people living with early dementia, and for their care partners, offered by Hennepin County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This class will be held via Zoom.
To learn more about Growing Connections and how to register, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association Help Line at 1-800-272-3900.

Backyard Compost Basics
2021-03-09 18:00 - 19:15
Backyard Compost Basics
Learn the basics of backyard composting and how the practice can help your gardens while reducing household waste. Dig into the biology of compost, get tips on setting up a composting system, how to use the finished compost in your garden and how to maintain your system though Minnesota winters.
See event website for registration details and costs.

Nuts and Bolts of Food Preservation
2021-03-10 18:00 - 19:30
Nuts and Bolts of Food Preservation
The Nuts and Bolts of Food Preservation is an introductory class designed to provide participants with research-based knowledge and scientific resources on the basics of food preservation. This class is presented as an overview of the various food preservation methods and is guided by specific learning objectives, with a focus on safety.
Participants will learn about the proper equipment, procedures and storage methods for boiling water canning, pressure canning, jelly/jam making, pickling, fermenting and drying techniques. This class is brought to you by Hennepin County Master Gardener Volunteer Food Preservation Consultants from the University of MN Extension. Please join us!

Growing Connections - Walking Outdoors in Nature
2021-03-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-03-18 10:00 - 11:30
Growing Connections – Walking Outdoors in Nature
Outdoor walks in the fresh air can be uplifting, healing, or simply fun. Make them even more enjoyable by learning how to see the many surprises and gifts of nature along the way.
Growing Connections is a free gardening program created exclusively for people living with early dementia, and for their care partners, offered by Hennepin County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This class will be held via Zoom.
To learn more about Growing Connections and how to register, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association Help Line at 1-800-272-3900.

Growing Connections - The Language of Flowers
2021-03-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-03-25 10:00 - 11:30
Growing Connections – The Language of Flowers
Over the centuries, and especially during Victorian times, people have used flowers to symbolically communicate certain emotions, attributes, and sentiments. For example, sweet basil signaled good wishes; a pink carnation said “I’ll never forget you”; a blue hyacinth stood for constancy. Come learn how to “speak flower” with the Master Gardeners.
Growing Connections is a free gardening program created exclusively for people living with early dementia, and for their care partners, offered by Hennepin County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This class will be held via Zoom.
To learn more about Growing Connections and how to register, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association Help Line at 1-800-272-3900.

Planting for Pollinators
2021-03-23 18:30 - 19:30
Planting for Pollinators
Want to create beautiful and healthy pollinator habitats in your community and your own backyard? Dive into the science of pollination—learn the types of plants and flowers that attract pollinators, how to identify the pollinators you’re likely to see in your neighborhood and why pollinators are so critical to our planet’s health. You’ll leave this presentation empowered and inspired to create pollinator-friendly habitats in your community.
See event website for registration details and costs.

Perennial Gardening Basics
2021-03-23 18:30 - 20:00
Perennial Gardening Basics
Perennial plants – those that come back every year – are the backbone of most flower gardens. Learn the lifespan and bloom time of these plants, how to group them according to their needs, and how to choose plants for a long season of color and interest. A review of common perennials will be provided, along with on desired growing conditions and best practices.

Growing Connections - Birds in Our Backyard
2021-03-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-04-01 10:00 - 11:30
Growing Connections – Birds in Our Backyard
Spring is the time to be on the lookout for our feathered friends: birds returning, birds nesting, and birds singing up a storm! Get to know our Minnesota birds, and learn how they help our gardens grow.
Growing Connections is a free gardening program created exclusively for people living with early dementia, and for their care partners, offered by Hennepin County Master Gardeners in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. This class will be held via Zoom.
To learn more about Growing Connections and how to register, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association Help Line at 1-800-272-3900.

Evolving Garden
2021-04-01 18:00 - 19:30
Evolving Garden
Change in the garden is inevitable-but environmental and personal events trigger the desire or need for more change. Learn creative responses and practices to implement that require low maintenance, yet create beautiful and functional gardens.

Growing Container Vegetables
2021-04-06 19:00 - 20:00
Growing Container Vegetables
A “How To” guide to Growing Vegetables in Containers.
Whether you are challenged by lack of garden space, or want vegetables within an easy reach, most food plants can be grown in containers as easily as decorative plants. Learn about the benefits and best practices of growing vegetables and other food plants in containers instead of planting them in the ground.

Edible Gardening
2021-04-08 18:30 - 19:30
Edible Gardening
Edible gardening is a growing trend that provides a feast for the eyes and the palate. Discover the benefits of integrating edibles with ornamental plants and learn how to care for and incorporate these beautiful and tasty plants into just about anywhere in your landscape.
See event website for registration details and costs.

Gardening in Containers and Raised Beds
2021-04-10 10:00 - 12:00
Gardening in Containers and Raised Beds
The use of raised beds and containers makes planting, maintaining and harvesting easier for all ages and abilities, but we wonder how to best do this with limited space and sunlight. This container and raised bed gardening presentation will focus on creating the best soils, watering techniques, using trellises, and successive planting. Make the dream of homegrown a reality.

Virtual Ask A Master Gardener Booth
2021-04-17 11:00 - 12:30, 2021-04-24 11:00 - 12:30
Got gardening questions? Join us on-line, Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extension Master Gardener Volunteers from Hennepin County will be using Zoom to answer your gardening questions. You can visit us “live” at z.umn.edu/EMGHCsonLine. We hope you’ll join us!

Perennial Gardening Basics
2021-04-19 18:00 - 19:30
Perennial Gardening Basics
Perennial plants – those that come back every year – are the backbone of most flower gardens. Learn the lifespan and bloom time of these plants, how to group them according to their needs and how to choose plants for a long season of color and interest. A review of common perennials will be provided, along with desired growing conditions and best practices.
See event website for registration details and costs.
