MG Weekly Update Nov 2 2009

I have yet to visit a botanic garden I didn't like! I visited MOBOT, the Missouri Botanical Garden, in October. Even with an autumnal chill in the air, I enjoyed myself immensely and took a lot of photos (see my Flickr site).  I am a fan of art+plants and found Dale Chiluly's Walla Wallas floating on the pond to be especially peaceful. Being the fan of Carl Linnaeus that I am, I was pleased to visit the Linnean, a historical and recently refurbed greenhouse complete with a bust of Linnaeus gracing its doorway. BTW, my link to Linnaeus above is a YouTube video and it looks to me that Linnaeus is examining purple loosestrife .... what do you think? Enjoy!

 

MN State Master Gardener Conference? Not in 2010. Our state conference attendance has been dropping over recent years for a variety of reasons, so I have decided we are going to try something new in 2010 and possibly adopt it for future years.  Read on ...... UMN Extension Master Gardener Summer School 2010 A main reason for holding a state conference has been to provide Master Gardeners with a venue for continuing education and connecting with each other. However, I recognize that this is not always feasible for some volunteers. So our UMN Extension Educators have devised Master Gardener Summer School (MGSS) - a one day event to be held in regions NOT hosting core course where Master Gardeners can come together for a day of continuing education in a variety of areas - pathology, entomology, landscape design, turf, etc. MGSS will be informative, affordable and provide classroom and hands-on education for Master Gardeners during the summer (when we can actually be outside!). Three sessions will be held - locations, dates and details will be announced in early 2010 on this blog. So in lieu of our own state conference, I am encouraging everyone to rally the troops and attend the Upper Midwest Master Gardener Conference - Sept 16-18, 2010 - Rockford, IL. Hosted by the Illinois Master Gardener Program at the Clock Tower Resort in Rockford, IL. Watch for more details will be available in late 2009 or early 2010.I'll be driving down and possibly including a detour to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Do I hear caravan? Minnesota is scheduled to host the 2012 Upper Midwest Master Gardener Conference - and we are going to need some help! Planning will start in 2010. If you are interested in being on the planning committee, shoot me an email at weise019@umn.edu. HORT 1003 Master Gardener Core Course / Horticulture for the Home and Garden Registration is now active online.  You can access links to the registration on the Master Gardener website.  Note that there are specific links for Master Gardener interns, for ProHort students and for University credit students. The class website will be available Jan. 1. The course packet is included in course fee for Master Gardener interns and ProHort students.  It is recommended for University credit students to purchase the course packet. The packet may be purchased through the online Extension Store. Interns and ProHort students taking the class will receive the packet in the mail. Students taking the class online for University credit must purchase the packet through the Extension store. Additional course booklets will be available for purchase for active Master Gardeners through the Extension Store as well. Active Master Gardeners will be able to audit the online class as well and / or face-to-face classes in St. Paul, Pine City and Mankato (providing space is available - interns, ProHort students and University credit students get first dibbs on the seats.) The November issue of UMN Extension Yard & Garden News is now available. Catch up on the latest in horticulture news from our Extension Educators and other featured authors. For a list of upcoming Woodland Advisor Classes throughout Minnesota, click here! The class title, location, dates and details will be shown.