Get growing! A horticulture day

Learn. Ask questions. Get inspired.

Join the Olmsted County Extension Master Gardeners for a full day focused on gardening and horticulture.

Speakers will share research-based information tailored to Southeast Minnesota gardening conditions, including best practices for home gardens and ways to adapt local landscapes to a changing environment. Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions, and attendees can explore vendors and exhibits throughout the day. 

Hear Olmsted County Master Gardener Chair and Vice-Chair speak about horticulture day on Midwest Access.

Soil Testing

UMN Soil Testing Lab will be available to bring your samples back to the lab, saving you the cost of mailing or hand-delivering your sample! Information about collecting a soil sample (including a video), analyses offered, prices, and request sheet to include with your sample can be found at z.umn.edu/lawn-garden. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Collect the sample – make sure it contains about 2-3 cups of soil.
2. Place the sample in a tightly sealed container or bag, labeled with your name.
3. Complete the request sheet found on the website (they will also have sheets at their table).
4. Pay with a check or cash (or credit card over the phone the following Monday) - $22 for the Regular test*.

Call the UMN Soil Testing Lab with questions at 612-625-3101

*The Regular Analysis includes percent organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, pH, estimated texture, and fertilizer recommendations based on what you intend to grow.

Sessions

Changing Climate, Changing Trees with Jay Maier

Climate change is rewriting the rules—come learn about 14 tough, adaptable trees that are thriving where they "shouldn't", and learn how you can grow beyond yesterday's hardiness zones.

Jay Maier is the General Manager of Sargent's Landscape Nursery. He has studied or worked with trees for over 35 years. He earned a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Missouri and is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. He has a passion for all things trees and loves to communicate to the everyday tree observer to help them enjoy and appreciate trees more.

Plan with Purpose: The Sustainable Landscape with Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick

Learn how smart design and multipurpose plantings can simplify your garden, enhance its beauty, and support long-term success.

A recipient of the Mayor's Medal of Honor for Sustainability and an Environmental Achievement Award for Sustainable Food Production, Kelly strives to live sustainably every day, both in and out of the garden.

Sustainable Practices for the Home Garden with Heidi Kern

Improving the sustainability of your garden can result in higher productivity, increased biodiversity, and less expense in the long-run.

Heidi Kern is a life-long gardener and environmentalist who strives to grow beautiful food and flower gardens as sustainably as possible on her city lot that she refers to as her urban homestead. Heidi is the administrator of the Backyard Bounty Urban Homesteading Facebook Group, co-founded the Rochester Seed Library, and teaches Community Education classes on urban homesteading, seed saving, and composting.

Let's Talk Tomatoes with Hutton Kearney

Discover how to grow incredible, flavor-packed tomatoes at home and learn which varieties you'll want in your garden this summer!

Meet Hutton Kearney, a clinical molecular and cytogeneticist at Mayo Clinic and passionate Master Gardener who loves growing and sharing hundreds of varieties of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and especially heirloom tomatoes.

Agenda

8:30 - Registration & Vendor Fair opens

9:00 - Welcome by Get Growing! Co-Chairs

9:15 - Jay Maier Changing Climate, Changing Trees

10:15 - Break - Visit our Vendor Fair and refreshments area

10:45 - Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick Plan with Purpose

11:45 - Lunch and Vendor Fair

12:45 - Heidi Kern Sustainable Practices for the Home Garden

1:45 - Break - Visit our Vendor Fair and refreshments area

2:15 - Hutton Kearney Let's Talk Tomatoes

3:15 Closing Remarks and Thank You!