Master Gardener College

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Master Gardener College 2013 Brochure

Registration is now open for the 2013 Master Gardener College. As we enjoy the gentle spring rains and anxiously await summer’s arrival, we must remember that these showers pave the way for our beautiful summertime gardens and get us closer to the next Master Gardener College! This year’s MG College will be held June 21st and June 22nd on the beautiful campus of Michigan State University, in East Lansing. This event will focus on hands-on learning through Friday workshops and Saturday educational sessions designed to enhance the gardening knowledge of not only new Master Gardeners, but also Advanced Master Gardeners.  

The 2013 Master Gardener College will be packed full of informative workshops, educational sessions, engaging speakers, idea sharing with other Master Gardeners, and of course buying opportunities. And, as always, participants can obtain education recertification credits for participating. Participants will also have the opportunity to join us for dinner on Friday evening in the Radiology Gardens. Often considered a hidden gem, the Radiology Gardens is a two-acre paradise officially known as the MSU Radiology Healing Gardens. It boasts the University’s only waterfall, has a pond stocked with koi, catfish and bass; and many speciman plants. It will be a wonderful evening a good food, friends and plants!

Friday night also brings us the first Michigan Master Gardener Association, Inc. Annual Meeting. Be sure to come and learn more about this new statewide association exclusively for Master Gardeners! 

Friday, June 21st Workshop Highlights:

  • The Art of Plant Placement: Designing the Perfect Landscape
  • How to Identify Woody Plants
  • Designing and Installing Drip Irrigation in the Home Gardens
  • Sleuthing in the Garden: What’s Wrong with my Plants?
  • Tips, Tricks and Tools for Beautiful and Healthy Perennial Gardens
  • Vermicomposting and Vermiculture: Worms, Bins and How to Get Started
  • Hydroponic Gardening at Home and in School Classrooms
  • Designing and Installing a Water Garden
  • Learning Gardens: How to Replicate A Successful Elementary School Garden
  • Release Your Inner Mad Scientist: Learn to Graft Your Favorite Plants

Saturday, June 22nd Key Note Presentations:  

Dr. Jeff Gillman, researcher and author from the University of Minnesota, will debunk gardening wives tales. He will cover several common myths and help us understand why some of the common myths are true and some are ever so false. Dr. Gillman is a popular author and one of the Garden Professors on the popular blog, The Garden Professors. 

Dr. Jeff Andresen, MSU Climatologist, will help us clear the fog and navigate the climate trends and shifts in climate patterns, the lengthening of growing seasons, increases in extreme climate events (i.e. drought, flood or extreme cold and hot days) that affect plant growth and survival, ever-changing climate and areas of consistency that gardeners continue to face.

Saturday, June 22nd Educational Sessions:

  • The Truth About Organic Gardening: Benefits, Drawbacks and the Bottom line
  • Responsible Gardening: Protecting Water Above and Below Ground
  • Shrubs Roses: An American Love Affair
  • “Pining” for New Conifers: A Look at Dwarf and Unusual Conifers
  • Be Your Own Boss: Start a Horticulture Business!
  • Follow the Clues for Plant Diagnostics
  • The Doctor is In to Solve Your Vegetable Gardening Questions  
  • Become a  Master Gardener NOAA Weather Observer
  • Native Wildflowers and their Plant Communities
  • Lakescaping: Developing Natural Shoreline Landscapes
  • Invasive Aquatic Plants
  • Plant Breeding and Seed Saving
  • The Power of the New MG Volunteer Management System
  • Annuals and Perennials for Michigan Gardens