Gardening from the Ground Up webinar series returns
By Katie Drewitz, University of Minnesota Extension
PRESTON and CALEDONIA, Minn. (01/03/2023) —University of Minnesota Extension Educators are excited to bring you the fourth annual Gardening from the Ground Up Zoom webinar series. Free virtual workshops will take place February 20-24, 2023 from 1:00-2:30 pm each afternoon. The series will focus on trees and shrubs in the home landscape. Webinars will cover topics ranging from tree establishment to proper pruning techniques, to tree pest management - all useful for any curious beginner gardener or yard owner.
Monday, February 20: Establishing resilient tree and shrub plantings
When we plant a tree we are often thinking of the future and what this tree will do for our landscape in 10, 20, 50 or even 100 years. In order for our trees and shrubs to live to their full maturity, we must give them their best chance from the very beginning. In this session, Local Extension Educators Katie Drewitz and Quincy Sadowski will share insight on preferred soil types for different trees, planting considerations, and common mistakes to avoid. We will also lay the groundwork for the rest of the week’s sessions.
Tuesday, February 21: Managing pests of trees and shrubs
Insects and diseases can stress our trees and shrubs, but there are several things we can do as homeowners to ensure our trees are in good health overall and are more resilient to stressors. Local Extension Educators Emily Hansen and Claire LaCanne will talk about managing pests by addressing overall tree health and using the principles of integrated pest management.
Wednesday, February 22: Growing healthy fruit trees and shrubs
From blueberries to plums, apples to honeyberries, Local Extension Educators Troy Salzer and Tarah Young will explore management techniques for woody perennial fruit. In this session, we will discuss varietal selection, pruning of trees, shrubs and bushes, mulching, fertilization, wildlife management, irrigation, and harvest techniques to help you find success in growing fruit at home.
Thursday, February 23: Managing invasive species in woodlands
Dandelions and creeping Charlie tend to plague our lawns and gardens, but what is taking over the woods in the backyard? Local Extension Educators Robin Trott and Shane Bugeja will dive into invasive bushes, plants, vines, and trees that damage Minnesota’s forests. How do you identify these woodland weeds from lookalikes? Do we need to report these plants? What’s the best way to control these invasives without hurting native plants nearby? Tackling these important questions (and more!) will be our goal for the day.
Friday, February 24: Confronting common conifer concerns
Over the past three years of Gardening from the Ground Up, we have received numerous questions about coniferous trees. While several of our sessions have touched upon these issues, we felt it was time to dedicate an entire session to conifers. Local Extension Educators, Shane Bugeja and Katie Drewitz, will showcase common problems of our needled friends, as well as tips for keeping evergreens on your landscape for longer.
Gardeners and yard owners throughout Minnesota and the midwest may find this series useful. Gardening from the Ground Up is brought to you by University of Minnesota local Extension educators across much of Minnesota, representing Benton, Blue Earth, Douglas, Fillmore, Houston, Hubbard, Le Sueur, Meeker, McLeod, Morrison, Rice, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, St. Louis, and Wright counties.
To join us for all or one of these webinars, please go to z.umn.edu/GardenUp to register. When you register for the series, you receive access to all five sessions. Pre-registration is required to receive the webinar link. Recordings of the webinars will be sent out at the conclusion of the series.
If you have questions about the webinar series or need assistance with registration, please call your local Extension office. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties can call 507-765-3896 or 507-725-5807 or email wins0115@umn.edu.