January 2012

January 9, 2011

The happiest of New Years to you and yours.  The gratis winter seminar list follows, but the news quickly:

We re-open for business on Wednesday, January 25th at 10am.

We always have houseplants and gifts, but seeds and seed starting supplies will be arriving toward the end of January and into early February. All non-plant holiday returns will be honored until the end of February. Thanks for a great 2011, we look forward to reconnecting in this new year!

WINTER/SPRING SEMINARS 2012

Presenting our slate of 2012 offerings - as always, all except the workshop format classes are free of charge. The classes take place at the Riverview Wine Bar, 3745 42nd Ave S., across the street from Mother Earth Gardens. All classes start at 7pm on Tuesdays, with the exception of one free seminar and one workshop (see below).

An RSVP is required, as space is limited. Please email info@motherearthgarden.com to express your interest in attending, and please also let us know if you are unable to make a class, as we often have waiting lists.

Tuesday, February 7th, 7pm: Get Your Seeds Out!
Your Annual Guide to Successful Indoor Seed Starting.  It’s February, so it must be time to get real with some seeds. Yes, you can start seeds indoors and successfully transfer them to the wilds of your garden - if you follow the step by step instructions found in this yearly favorite. With Elizabeth Wheeler, Rush Creek Growers.

SUNDAY, February 12th, 2pm - 4pm: Your Tiny World: Make a Terrarium Workshop.
This $35 workshop takes place at Mother Earth Gardens. You will learn to make a lovely little world filled with plants and other stuff, if you like, and you get to bring it home with you! Adults and kids 8 and up (accompanied by their adults).  With Mary Jane Lavin, Mother Earth Gardens, and Marco Dregni, Seward Montessori School. The $35 class fee will be charged at the class, no need to pre-pay.

MONDAY, February 13th, 7pm:  Beginning Urban Veggie Gardening.
You want to get ultra local with some homegrown produce? Yes, you can. We offer you this complete introductory guide to a successful organic vegetable garden on a small city lot. With Tracy Tomforde, Mother Earth Gardens, and Elizabeth Wheeler, Rush Creek Growers.

Tuesday, February 28th, 7pm:  Home Scale Permaculture and Backyard Habitat.
This introductory level class will cover the basics of Permaculture Principles with a deeper examination of how to integrate local wildlife habitat into your home-scale permacultural system. Tory and Carrie Christensen of Headwaters Design Group bring together their experiences in landscape architecture, ecological restoration, permaculture, and agroecology to help you think through the exciting potential of your own backyard.

Tuesday, March 6th, 7pm:  Backyard Fruits: Expand Your Edible Horizons.
Most everyone loves fresh fruit, and what could taste better or offer as much fulfillment as harvesting fruit from your own yard!?  See how many trees or shrubs you can grow to produce foods that can be used for jam, jelly, pie, dried snacks, juice, wine…etc. This is a class that will look at different fruit-bearing selections besides apples that are hardy to Minnesota and what conditions per plant are needed for fruit production. With Rebecca Koetter, consultant, researcher and Minnesota edible woody plant expert.

Tuesday, March 13th, 7pm:  You Can Do It! The Basics of Garden Design.
Make this the year you will actually make decisions before you get to the garden center. We will discuss all-season color, sun/shade considerations, foundation and specimen plants. We’ll look at garden styles that fit your goals, and a design process to get from what you've got to what you want. With Mary Gaytan, Mother Earth Gardens Design Consultant.

Tuesday, March 27th, 7pm:  Delve into 2012: The Newest Plants from Rush Creek Growers.
The title pretty much says it all - with lots of pictures to get you crazy anxious to plant.  With Vicky Weis, Rush Creek Growers.

Tuesday, April 3, 7pm:  What is Organic Gardening?
It all starts with the SOIL. In most soils, organic matter comprises less than 5% of its total weight.  Learn why increasing organic matter in your soil improves its structure, acts as a nutrient reservoir, feeds beneficial microorganisms, and sequesters atmospheric carbon. Tending to your soil is the first and best investment in your organic garden (it will save you money in the long run!)  With Derek Schumacher, BFG Supplier.

Tuesday, April 10, 7pm: Not Your Granny's Summer Bulb.
A class for beginners and beyond covering all you need to know about the bulbs of summer: dahlias, gladioli, lilies, elephant ears and more. You thought it wasn’t your thing till you showed up at this class! We will also be showcasing some early spring alternatives to pansies - there are a whole host of interesting cold tolerant annuals to enjoy. With Jesse Anderson of Gardenworld and Van Bloehm Bulbs.

See you at the store!