Schoolyard Garden Conference 2014 at the MN Landscape Arboretum

Chanhassen, MN (Jan. 20, 2014) – Building on the strong response to last year’s event,  the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, collaborating with the Schoolyard Garden Coalition and Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program, will present the second annual Schoolyard Gardens Conference on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Arboretum.  Themed “Cultivating the Future,” the conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Oswald Visitor Center.

Minnesota’s Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius and Commissioner of Agriculture Dave Frederickson will kick off the event. Immanuel Jones, director of sustainability for Minneapolis Community and Technical College, will discuss EcoCity Minnesota, an organization changing the way youth are perceived through gardening.

John Fisher from LifeLab, a nationally recognized organization supporting school gardens around the nation, will be keynote speaker, presenting lessons learned in both practice and policy. He will describe national trends and research findings on the value of school gardens not only for the students, but for the entire school and its community.

Workshop presenters will address challenges faced by teachers, principals, superintendents, food-service professionals and parents, in creating and sustaining such gardens.

“The conference is structured to offer an ideal setting in which schoolyard garden supporters can learn to use a garden as an outdoor, living laboratory for hands-on learning across disciplines. In a schoolyard garden, kids engage all of their senses and educators bring learning concepts alive in a way not possible in other settings,” says Tim Kenny, Arboretum director of education.

Kenny adds, “A schoolyard garden appeals to numerous learning styles and it means that teachers can connect learning standards in the most effective ways. I’ve watched it happen again and again, and at this conference, participants will be able to engage with experts and others who have put these principles into action.”

In addition to a day filled with plenary and interest-track sessions designed to help school

gardeners reach the full potential of this educational asset, the conference offers an opportunity for current schoolyard garden champions to present their work in poster sessions. This year’s conference features an “Answer Room,” where experts will be on hand to answer questions and talk about plants, curriculum, garden design, training opportunities, funding and other schoolyard garden resources. The conference is geared to educators, volunteers, nutritionists, parents and all interested parties. 

Learn more and register at http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/2014SchoolyardGardens.aspx.

Or call 952-443-1422. Conference tuition is $60 Arboretum members and conference affiliates, $70 general registration – discounts available for teams of three from the same school.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest and a premier northern arboretum, is part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota and a community and national resource for horticultural and environmental information, research, and public education. It is located nine miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen.  —END—

MN Landscape Arboretum Seeks Entries for 'Scarecrows in the Garden'

Chanhassen, MN (Aug. 7, 2012) - Scarecrows, those silly and scary life-sized stick figures, have graced farm fields since time immemorial.  Stuffed with straw, dressed in outsized raggedy clothes and sporting loopy grins, they are compelling characters that draw our attention while repelling winged visitors.

And let's face it: Who doesn't like the Scarecrow that came to life in "The Wizard of Oz"? 

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will celebrate these corny characters in its "Scarecrows in the Garden" exhibit running Sept. 8-Nov. 4, as part of the Arboretum's "Autumn Adventures" fall season.

This display will comprise unique and compelling handmade scarecrows created by the public - individuals and families, organizations and design professionals.  So if you'd like to get in touch  with your inner artist, please consider making a scarecrow!  Following are entry guidelines:

This year's theme focuses on the wonders of nature and the Arboretum is asking that participants create scarecrows from materials found in nature.  Plastic and artificial materials may be used for stuffing, but the exterior should be created from natural, dried or fresh materials that will weather well.

To enter, just fill out an application form available at www.arboretum.umn.edu/scarecrows.aspx. 

Entries must be delivered to the Arboretum's Margot Picnic Shelters Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 (or call Nate Kells at 952-443-4401 to arrange an alternate time.)  Awards (ranging from $100 to $50 gift cards) will be presented for first through third prize overall and there will also be a People's Choice Winner.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, Oct. 31. 

MN Landscape Arboretum's Spring Expo

Chanhassen, MN (Feb. 20, 2012) - Get in gear for gardening! The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Spring Expo, planned for March 9-11, offers the latest and best gardening info from the experts. The expo is themed "Learning to Grow, Growing to Learn." Here's a glimpse at the schedule:

Friday, March 9: "Seeding the Future: Preserving Biodiversity One Garden at a Time" (1:30 p.m.) and "Seed Saving Primer" (2:30 p.m.), both led by Shannon Carmody of the Seed Savers Exchange. A maple syrup hike and "chat and chew" conversation follows from 4 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 10: Author talks and book-signings of new gardening editions from the acclaimed Timber Press are scheduled: 10 a.m., Jeff Gillman, Meleah Maynard ("Decoding Gardening Advice"); 11:15 a.m., David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth ("What's Wrong with My Vegetable Garden?"); 1:30 p.m. Chuck Chapman ("Irises for the Cold Climate"); 2:45 p.m. Meleah Maynard ("Annuals and Perennials for Shade").

On Sunday, March 11: The following talks are planned: 10 a.m., Lynn Steiner (native plants); 11:15 a.m., U of M horticulture professor Dr. Mary Meyer (landscaping with grasses and sedges); 1:15 p.m., Arboretum pest expert Dan Miller (preventing/ managing garden pests) and at 2:30 p.m. horticulture grad student Luke Haggerty (choosing fruit-bearing shrubs and trees).

In addition to the above speakers, local plant societies, landscapers and garden stores will have displays showcasing the newest gardening trends, methods and products.

Participants have the choice of a three-day pass ($35 members/ $45 non-members) or a one-day pass ($20 for members and $25 for non-members). For a detailed agenda and to register visit: www.arboretum.umn.edu/springexpo2012.aspx. Or call 952-443-1422.

January-March 2011 Gardening Classes at the Arboretum

Chanhassen, MN (Jan.11, 2011) - The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a living, green classroom for learning about plants and gardening. Here's a look at upcoming classes. To register, call 952-443-1422 or visit arboretum.umn.edu/learn.

Arboretum Gardening School
Starting Plants Indoors: Building and Using Grow Lights. Saturday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$30 member/$40 non-member. Learning Center. Get a jump start on growing seedlings without a greenhouse. Learn how to build your own grow light and how to use it to maximize your growing season.

Sexual Reproduction: Working with Seeds. Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Learning Center. Learn the biology of seeds, germination, scarification, stratification and more.

Asexual Reproduction: Cuttings, Layering, and Specialized Structures. Saturday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Snyder Building. Learn from a horticulturalist how to propagate plants through various methods.

Asexual Reproduction: Grafting. Saturday, Feb.12, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Snyder Building. Gain the understanding of the different methods of grafting and why some grafts work and some don't. Much of the class will be spent on practicing and making a number of grafts with various plant materials.

Planning a Garden From the Ground Up: Understanding Soils. Saturday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Snyder Building. Learn the essentials from a soils scientist. Examine how to enhance soil with water, compost and mulch. Includes an opportunity to have your soil analyzed.

Basic Garden and Landscape Design. Saturday, March 5, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Snyder Building. Learn the principles and theories of landscape design, including the elements of style, balance, texture and scale.

Perennials through the Seasons. Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Snyder Building. The perennial garden is like an orchestra where different sections play at different times. Knowing when perennials bloom can help you orchestrate the color display in your garden. Learn about perennials from A to Z and be able to apply that knowledge immediately to your own setting.

Gardening in the Shade. Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $30 member/$40 non-member, Learning Center. Selecting plants for shady locations is far more challenging than for sunny locations. Go beyond begonias and impatiens to learn about unusual shade plants. Discover the role of texture, color and shape.

Horticulture Classes
Grow Your Own Food. Saturday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-noon. $30 member/$40 non-member, Snyder Auditorium.
Whether you have a postage-stamp sized urban lot or spacious farmyard, you can grow an abundance of your own food. Learn the best choices for your vegetable garden from Tim Kenny, Arboretum director of education.

Orchid Culture 101. Saturday, March 5, 9:30 a.m.-noon. $35 member/$45 non-member, Oswald Visitor Center. Growing orchids in a Minnesota home environment is easier than in a Florida backyard! Jerry Fischer of Orchids Limited will share tips and techniques for successful orchid cultivation. Take home a seedling-sized orchid plant.