Beneath the surface: Myth-busting soil microbes and beneficials

Event information

Date

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Add to Calendar 2026-02-17 13:00:00 2026-02-17 14:30:00 Beneath the surface: Myth-busting soil microbes and beneficials University of Minnesota Extension educators are excited to offer the sixth annual Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series, a free weeklong program designed to help gardeners build skills from soil to harvest. Join us online for five focused, practical sessions led by Extension experts, covering everything from building healthy soil and understanding microbes and product labels to adapting to shifting growing conditions and harvesting and storing produce for long-lasting quality. Session detailsQuincy Sadowski and Tarah Young will dispel the myths around soil microbes and beneficial insects and explore what they actually do. Discover how these tiny allies support soil health, nutrient availability, and overall plant growth.Additional sessionsFebruary 16: Inputs and outputs: Building healthy garden soilFebruary 18: Decoding garden product labels: What you need to know before you buyFebruary 19: The new normal? Air quality, smoke and shifting growing conditionsFebruary 20: Enjoying the bounty: Harvest and storage of garden produce Series recordingsRecordings of the webinars will be sent out at the conclusion of the series for those unable to attend the sessions live.Garden BuzzAs a perk of registering for Gardening from the Ground Up, registrants will later be invited to Garden Buzz in the summer of 2026. This opportunity gives participants exclusive access to expert Extension educators to ask their most pressing gardening questions. On the second Tuesday each month, May to October, the local Extension educator team will be live to answer your yard and garden questions from 12 to 1 p.m. (Central Time). You can pop in to ask your question and then leave, or stay for the whole time to learn from others. America/Chicago public

Time

1 - 2:30 p.m. Central time

Location

Webinar series

Contact

Tarah Young, Extension educator, Hubbard County agriculture and natural resources
[email protected] or 218-209-2111

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University of Minnesota Extension educators are excited to offer the sixth annual Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series, a free weeklong program designed to help gardeners build skills from soil to harvest. Join us online for five focused, practical sessions led by Extension experts, covering everything from building healthy soil and understanding microbes and product labels to adapting to shifting growing conditions and harvesting and storing produce for long-lasting quality.

Session details

Quincy Sadowski and Tarah Young will dispel the myths around soil microbes and beneficial insects and explore what they actually do. Discover how these tiny allies support soil health, nutrient availability, and overall plant growth.

Additional sessions

February 16: Inputs and outputs: Building healthy garden soil

February 18: Decoding garden product labels: What you need to know before you buy

February 19: The new normal? Air quality, smoke and shifting growing conditions

February 20: Enjoying the bounty: Harvest and storage of garden produce

Series recordings

Recordings of the webinars will be sent out at the conclusion of the series for those unable to attend the sessions live.

Garden Buzz

As a perk of registering for Gardening from the Ground Up, registrants will later be invited to Garden Buzz in the summer of 2026. This opportunity gives participants exclusive access to expert Extension educators to ask their most pressing gardening questions. On the second Tuesday each month, May to October, the local Extension educator team will be live to answer your yard and garden questions from 12 to 1 p.m. (Central Time). You can pop in to ask your question and then leave, or stay for the whole time to learn from others.

Audience

Gardening enthusiasts.

Cost

Free

Registration

Registration is required to receive the webinar link. You only need to register once for access to all five sessions.

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.