By Karen Johnson, U of M Extension Educator, McLeod and Meeker Counties
The 2020 Meeker County Gardener’s Gala will be held Tuesday, March 24, at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield. All gardening enthusiasts are invited to come to an evening of education, fellowship, and planning for the upcoming growing season. Registration is from 5:30-6 p.m. with speakers, vendors, and door prizes to follow.
This year’s program will start with Mary Meyer, an Extension Horticulturist and Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota. Mary was the director of the Master Gardener program from 1994-2008. She manages the Grass Collection at the MN Landscape Arboretum, teaches grass classes, and is the Director of the Master in Professional Studies in Horticulture at the University of Minnesota. Mary will share ways that you can be a steward of the environment while minimizing inputs of water and resources in your garden and community.
The second speaker will be
Carrie Larson, a Sales Representa-
tive with McHutchinson Horticultural Distributors based out of Wisconsin. Carrie has a lifelong love for plants that was started as a child, growing up with her five siblings, helping care for her family’s 100’x100’ garden. She has worked in various horticultural jobs over the past 26 years including positions with Bachman’s, VanBloem Gardens, and VanBourgondien. At McHutchinson, Carrie specializes in annuals. During this presentation, Carrie will share the new varieties of flowering plants that will be available in the spring of 2020.
This program is brought to you by the Meeker County Extension Master Gardeners and the Meeker County Horticulture Society. Registration is $10 if received by March 16; $15 after March 16. View the brochure online at z.umn.edu/20gala.
Contact the Meeker County Extension office to register by calling (320) 693-5275, by email at mnext-meeker@umn.edu, or online at http://z.umn.edu/gardenreg2020.