Meeker County Gardeners’ Gala planned for March 24

By Karen Johnson,  U of M Extension Educator, McLeod and Meeker Counties

The 2022 Meeker County Gardeners’ Gala will be Thursday, 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 Carrie Larson, a horticulturist and account manager with McHutchison Horticultural Distributors. Larson has a lifelong love for plants that was started as a child, helping care for her family’s 100’x100’ garden. She has worked in various horticultural jobs over the past 30 years, including her current role with McHutchison as a broker selling baby plants to area greenhouses. During this presentation, Larson will share the new varieties of flowering plants that will be available in the spring of 2022.

The second speaker is Schwab, a researcher with the University of Minnesota’s turfgrass science lab. Schwab has participated in a wide variety of research projects involving homeowner water use in the Twin Cities, golf course water conservation methods, and low-input and bee lawn management. During the presentation, Schwab will help answer the many questions about how to maintain a healthy lawn following drought conditions.

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 14, or $15 after March 14. View the brochure online at http://z.umn.edu/2022gala.

Special note: this program will follow the current COVID-19 guidelines to ensure a safe event for all participants. Updates will be shared as the event gets closer through email and social media.

Contact the Meeker County Extension office to register by calling (320) 693-5275, or email mnext-meeker@umn.edu or online at http://z.umn.edu/gardenreg2022.