NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 4, 2017
CONTACT: Patty Swedberg
St. Louis County Extension Administrator
(218) 733-2879
St. Louis County Extension offers two spring gardening programs
For gardening enthusiasts eager to get growing this spring, the St. Louis County Extension Office is offering not just one, but two Spring Gardening Extravaganza events, focusing on two of the most popular gardening trends: pollinator gardens and growing your own fruits and vegetables. The public is invited to attend either or both programs, which will take place April 18 and 25 at the First United Methodist Church (Coppertop), 230 E. Skyline Parkway in Duluth. Both programs run from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m.
The first program, April 18, “Creating Your Eco-Friendly Landscape,” will highlight how to develop a landscape with plants that will add beauty while providing food and habitat for butterflies and pollinators. The evening's speakers include: Tom Kasper talking about flowering perennials, Catherine Winter discussing bees and pollinators, Dan Schutte demonstrating how to establish native plants, and Bob Olen discussing small space vegetable gardens and low-input lawns.
The second program will be “Living Off the Land: Your Edible Landscape” on April 25, and will feature information on vegetables and small fruits for your landscape. Dr. Stephan Hedman will talk about heirloom, hybrid and GMO seed and what this means for gardeners. Kendall Dykhuis will discuss soil sampling and the “New Soil Science.” Bob Olen will discuss small fruits, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, and the top vegetable varieties for this area. There will also be an update on the Spotted Winged Drosophila, a troublesome fruit pest.
A resource book of reference materials, including recommended variety lists will be included with each program. The cost is $25 per program and includes refreshments and program materials.
To register or learn more about the programs, call the St. Louis County Extension Office at (218) 733-2870, or visit stlouiscountymn.gov/ext. Online registration and payment is now available through the county website.
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