February 2012 Archives

Crow Wing County Master Gardeners were instrumental in selling more than 500 home compost bins in 2011. That will keep a lot of solid waste out of the county landfill. Distributing compost bins is just one aspect of the "Crow Wing County Backyard Composting Program," an effort funded by a 2-year MPCA waste reduction grant. Master Gardeners conduct the program in collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension - Crow Wing County, Northland Arboretum, and Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District. Again in 2012, education on home composting will be delivered through a series of workshops and information booths.

If you live in the Willmar area, or are just passing through, chances are you have received some horticulture advice or information from a Master Gardener through one of the local media outlets. University of Minnesota Master Gardeners in Kandiyohi County use newspaper, radio and TV to deliver Extension gardening and other horticulture education. Local newspapers print Master Gardener columns throughout the growing season. From March to September, find Master Gardener volunteers hosting a one hour, live Saturday morning call-in show on KWLM radio. In 2011, they also produced seven short segments for the WRAC 8 local cable television show, "Do You Know?" Those spots are also posted on the city's website.

With names like "Let's Get Growing," "Burst into Spring," and "Spring Wake-Up," horticulture days have become a popular way for University of Minnesota Master Gardeners to pack a lot of garden and environmental education for the public into one event. A keynote speaker, a series of educational workshops conducted by Extension educators and other plant experts, garden-related vendor booths and silent auctions are typical in the format of these one-day events. Last spring nearly 3000 people attended one of the many horticulture days hosted by local Master Gardener programs.

Click on 'public classes and events' in the left menu bar on this website or go directly to this web page to find classes  near you or contact your local Master Gardener.