2026 Wright County Spring Days Gardening Workshop

Event information

Date

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Add to Calendar 2026-03-21 08:00:00 2026-03-21 15:30:00 2026 Wright County Spring Days Gardening Workshop Come join us for a fun-filled gardening day! Kicking off this exciting event will be a keynote presentation, followed by three more jam-packed informational sessions. There’s something for everyone! Of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without opportunities to visit the University of Minnesota’s own Master Gardeners, who will be on hand to answer all of your gardening questions! Vendors will also be plentiful, offering a variety of products and services to enhance your gardening experience. The popular goody bags, a silent auction, and door prizes will round out the day.Cost is $30 for those who pre-register by March 11th or $40 the day of the event. Price includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and take-home educational materials. On site registration must be either credit card or check.For lunch we will be having your choice of a turkey & bacon sandwich, vegetarian wrap, or a salad. Water and coffee will be provided throughout the day. We are unfortunately unable to offer alternative options for those with special dietary needs this year, so please plan accordingly. Maple Lake High School Maple Lake High School Maple Lake High School America/Chicago public

Time

8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Central time

Location

Maple Lake High School
200 Highway 55 E
Maple Lake, MN 55358

Contact

Extension Support Staff - Delia Scepaniak and Tarah Huston
[email protected] or 763-682-7394

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Audience watching Key Note presentation at the 2025 Spring Days

Come join us for a fun-filled gardening day! Kicking off this exciting event will be a keynote presentation, followed by three more jam-packed informational sessions. There’s something for everyone!

Of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without opportunities to visit the University of Minnesota’s own Master Gardeners, who will be on hand to answer all of your gardening questions! Vendors will also be plentiful, offering a variety of products and services to enhance your gardening experience. The popular goody bags, a silent auction, and door prizes will round out the day.

Cost is $30 for those who pre-register by March 11th or $40 the day of the event. Price includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and take-home educational materials. On site registration must be either credit card or check.

For lunch we will be having your choice of a turkey & bacon sandwich, vegetarian wrap, or a salad. Water and coffee will be provided throughout the day. We are unfortunately unable to offer alternative options for those with special dietary needs this year, so please plan accordingly.

Audience

All gardening enthusiasts are invited to come join us for a fun-filled day gardening day! Kicking off this exciting event will be a keynote presentation, followed by three more jam-packed informational sessions. There’s something for everyone!

Cost

Cost is $30 for those who pre-register by March 11 or $40 the day of the event. Price includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and take-home educational materials. On site registration must be either credit card or check.

Registration

Accommodations

University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.

Language

This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.

Topics and Speakers

Full Schedule

Master Gardener information booth at the 2025 Spring Days event.

Registration (8:00am - 9:00am)

Keynote speaker (9:00am - 10:15am)

Laura Irish Hanson - Creating a Resilient Landscape

Break (10:15am - 10:30am)

Breakout Session #1 (10:30am - 11:30am)

Pollinators and Pollinator Gardens

A Beginner's Guide to Growing Houseplants

Foodscape at the Arb

Native and Naturalized Turfgrasses for Lawns

Lunch options of sandwiches or salads at the 2025 Spring Days event.

Lunch (11:30am - 12:45pm)

Breakout Session #2 (12:45pm - 1:45pm)

Popular Non-Native Plants and Their Native Alternative

Plant Propagation of Houseplants

Disease Detectives

Rain Gardens

Break (1:45pm - 2:00pm)

Door prize table full of gardening gifts at the 2025 Spring Days event.

Silent Auction Ends (2:00pm)

Breakout Session #3 (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Rain Gardens

Plant Propagation of Houseplants

Disease Detectives

Popular Non-Native Plants and Their Native Alternative

Pick Up Silent Auction and Door Prize Items (3:00pm-3:30pm)

Keynote Presentation - 9:00 am - 10:15 am

Creating a Resilient Landscape

Laura Irish-Hanson

Description: More frequent severe weather events and the introduction of invasive pests have exacerbated the negative effects of limited species diversity in managed landscapes. University of Minnesota Extension Horticulture envisions harnessing species diversity within managed landscapes to improve overall resiliency in the face of our continually changing climate. Join Laura Irish-Hanson, Extension Horticulture Educator, to learn about factors that impact landscape success, plant selection criteria, species for expanding plant palettes, and how to approach landscape challenges.

Bio: Laura Irish-Hanson is the statewide Extension Educator for Resilient Managed Horticultural Landscapes with the University of Minnesota. She leads efforts to promote climate-adapted, efficient, and ecologically supportive landscape systems in collaboration with property owners, community organizations, and urban stakeholders. With over nine years of teaching and extension experience, she brings expertise in sustainable gardening, resilient plant use, and practical maintenance strategies. Laura also appears regularly on WCCO Radio’s Smart Gardens show and enjoys growing food year-round in her backyard greenhouse.

Breakout Session #1 - 10:30 am - 11:30 am

Pollinators and Pollinator Gardens

Quincy Sadowski

Description: Pollinators have been a hot topic. Why are pollinators important? How can we help support the pollinators? How do we create pollinator gardens? Learn this and more in this session.

Bio: Quincy Sadowski is an Extension Educator in horticulture serving Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties. Quincy grew up around the Midwest including Minnesota and Illinois. Many seasons were filled with working out in the gardens where she learned about the natural world from her parents.

A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Houseplants

Emily Lindenfelser

Description: Get started with growing houseplants in this beginner-friendly session. Learn the basics of plant care and simple tips to keep your indoor plants thriving.

Bio: Emily Lindenfelser is the local horticulture Extension Educator and Master Gardener coordinator for Wright, McLeod, and Meeker counties. In her role, she delivers programming, supports volunteers, and answers a wide variety of technical assistance questions. Emily currently holds a bachelor of science degree in agricultural communications and marketing and is currently pursuing a masters of science degree in agricultural education and communication. She is also a certified tree inspector for the Minnesota DNR.

Foodscape at the Arb

Laura Irish-Hanson

Description: Foodscaping highlights that edible plants can be aesthetically pleasing, while simultaneously providing a way to increase food security, availability, and accessibility. Designed and installed by Extension Horticulture Educators at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Foodscape is a landscape that celebrates the beauty of food and showcases diverse plants, growing techniques, and sustainable landscape techniques that gardeners of all kinds can use in their own yards and gardens

Native and Naturalized Turfgrasses for Lawns

Jon Trappe

Description: This breakout session will introduce native turfgrass species to Minnesota as well as those best adapted for various lawn uses based on research at the University of Minnesota and elsewhere. We will discuss what it means to be a native plant species, the advantages of promoting these species, as well as some of their shortcomings. Species to be discussed include buffalograss, tufted hairgrass, prairie junegrass, blue grama, the fine fescues and tall fescue.

Bio: Dr. Trappe is originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, He received his B.Sc. in Agronomy from Purdue University and M.Sc.in Horticulture from the University of Arkansas. After receiving a Ph.D. at Purdue University.

Breakout Session #2 - 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

Popular Non-Native Plants and Their Native Alternative

Quincy Sadowski

Description: Gardeners interested in integrating native plants will discover which popular plants may not be best suited for Minnesota’s climate and learn about resilient native options that thrive in the right location.

Plant Propagation of Houseplants

Jill Patrie

Description: During this hands-on experience you'll learn a variety of plant propagation methods, including cuttings, layering, separation, and division. Discover the tools and processes to create new "plant babies" from your existing collection, with guidance on best practices and essential supplies. You'll get to practice what you learn and take home your own propagated cuttings to watch them grow!

Bio: Jill Patrie is the UMN-Extension Horticulture Educator located in Clay County and lives in Moorhead, MN with her husband and two sons. Jill enjoys gardening, adding to her native plant landscape and tending to her houseplant collection during the winter months. When she is not in the garden or teaching she is camping, biking, attending her kids activities or relaxing in her backyard.

Disease Detectives

Laura Irish-Hanson

Description: Want to hone your plant disease identification and management strategy skills? Join University of Minnesota Extension horticulturist, Laura Irish-Hanson, as she provides guidance on the basics of plant disease identification, prevention, and management. During this interactive session, Laura will teach you how to use these concepts to become an effective disease detective.

Rain Gardens

Tarah Young

Description: This presentation explores the design and purpose of rain gardens—how they capture and filter stormwater, enhance water quality, and promote native biodiversity. Participants will learn practical strategies for selecting an appropriate site, preparing soils, choosing resilient plant species, and maintaining a thriving rain garden over time. We’ll also highlight the versatile Plant Elements of Design Selection Tool and demonstrate how it can inform plant choices across a wide range of garden scenarios.

Bio: Tarah Young is the University of Minnesota Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hubbard County. She also coordinates the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers in Hubbard County. Tarah has a B.S in Agronomy and a M.S. in Applied Plant Science from the University of Minnesota. She aims to empower audiences to cultivate their own food while being mindful of environmental stewardship.

Breakout Session #3 - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Popular Non-Native Plants and Their Native Alternative

Quincy Sadowski

Plant Propagation of Houseplants

Jill Patrie

Disease Detectives

Laura Irish-Hanson

Rain Gardens

Tarah Young

Vendors

Vendor Criteria and Options

Why Wright County Spring Days?

Landscape and garden related businesses can interact one-on-one with a targeted audience, the majority of whom live within a 30-mile radius of the event.
Each registered vendor business will be listed on the Wright County Master Gardener’s Spring Days website (website scheduled to be up in January)
The March 21, 2026 date is a perfect fit for our winter weary attendees who are ready to "Think Spring" and buy.

Vendors must meet the following criteria:

Check-in 6:30 am and must be set-up by 8:00 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
We request that you have a representative at their table during the entire event.
One exhibit space is 8 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Vendor must provide all materials, and tables/chairs for their exhibit. Additional spaces may be acquired at an additional cost. Electrical access is limited.
Any sales must be conducted in accordance with all state and federal tax laws and are the sole responsibility of the exhibitor. A MN Revenue “Operator Certificate of Compliance” (ST19) form must be filled out for each exhibitor regardless of whether or not sales are being made. There is a potential $100 fine for any forms we do not have on file.

Vendor Package Options:

$40 package: includes 1 booth space
$0 Non-Profit package: includes 1 booth space

Registration includes breakfast and coffee. Bottled water will be available throughout the day. Speaker schedules can be picked up at check-in. Vendors may attend sessions with available seats free of charge as long as someone is overseeing their table.

Additional Options:

$40 — Each additional space
$0 — Electrical Outlet — limited availability (must supply your own extension cords) Booth space will be assigned accordingly.
$15 — Per Lunch

Registration:

Vendor application includes this registration form, the signed ST19 and a check to cover all fees. Make checks payable to Regents of University of Minnesota
Write Wright County Master Gardeners in the memo line of your check and mail to: Wright County Extension Office, 3500 Braddock Ave NE Buffalo, MN 55313
You will be notified by email upon receipt of your completed application. Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited so please respond as soon as possible. No applications with postmarks after March 10, 2026, will be accepted.