Minnehaha Master Gardeners

Sound Gardening Practices for Minnehaha County, SD

2021 Minnehaha County Master Gardeners Garden Tour

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You are invited to tour several beautiful and unique garden sites in Southern Sioux Falls. Garden sites include a tranquil peaceful yard in the Old Orchard area, an inviting church Prayer Garden, and a working small farm with an aquaponics growing system. This is a self-guided tour, and you can start at any location. 

However, participants are encouraged to carpool from two locations with larger parking lots: Southern Hills Community Garden (adjacent to Southern Hills United Methodist Church) 3400 E. 49th St., or Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church Prayer Garden and Community Garden, 2208 W. LaQuinta St. (South of 69th & Western). At the small farm site on Southeastern, please wear closed-toed shoes for walking among the friendly free-range chickens. Participants are encouraged to bring their water bottles; no refreshments will be served. 

Tickets are $10. Registration is available online at https://2021-mcmg-garden-tour.eventbrite.com. Payment is by credit card only. In case of rain on Wed. July 7, Rain Date is Thurs. July 8. Notification of postponement will be posted on MCMG Facebook page. NO REFUNDS will be given.

Tickets will be available the day of the event at Lewis Drug, 26th and Sycamore, from noon to 4pm, check or cash only. 

Proceeds of ticket sales go to scholarships and educational activities of the Minnehaha County Master Gardeners.

Gardening with Zone 5 Envy

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Quick! Do you know what gardening zone you’re living in? Do you even know what a growing zone is? Well, believe it or not, knowing the answers to those two questions can literally make the difference in whether you are the proud owner of a green thumb… or one that’s all shriveled up and brown.

Thankfully, Cami Jacobsen with the Minnehaha Master Gardeners explains just exactly what the US Department of Agriculture was thinking when it created its Plant Hardiness Zones way back in 1960. And how you can use that information to your advantage.

Watch on Keloland.com:

Plant Sale Saturday Raises Money for Minnehaha Master Gardeners

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The regional Minnehaha Extension Master Gardeners organization is having its annual plant sale Saturday at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. Last year, organizers had to cancel it because of the pandemic. But it’s back this year to raise money for scholarships for students at Southeast Technical Institute.

Local growers donate perennials, annuals, vegetables, and other plant varieties to the sale. People then are able to buy them at a low cost, and the money goes back to the Minnehaha Master Gardeners. Plants can be as low as $0.25. Cami Jacobsen, the spokesperson for the event, said a plant like a hydrangea can cost more than $10, but most plants are much cheaper at the sale. The money from this event will go specifically to students at Southeast Tech.

But the organization does work throughout the Sioux Falls community. The gardeners share their knowledge and provide resources for community members while keeping up gardens throughout the city. These certified master gardeners receive extensive education through South Dakota State’s horticulture department.

The plant sale is from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Saturday. Registration is required because of COVID-19. If you don’t do it ahead of time, you can do it at the door. Masks are required, hand sanitizer will be available, and there will be a limited number of people in the building at a time.

Watch on DakotaNewsNow.com:

Teaching Garden Coaches Being Recruited

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The Sioux Falls based 501(c) (3) nonprofit, Ground Works/SD Agriculture in the Classroom is recruiting qualified candidates for multiple Teaching Garden Coaches positions. This volunteer leadership position will provide on-site horticulture education and guide the use of best gardening practices by school and nonprofit teaching garden staff and leaders.

Candidates need to be experienced vegetable gardeners and be willing to coach elementary and middle school teachers. A background check may be requested.

Three 75 minute Zoom coaches training are scheduled for Tuesdays March 23, March 30, and April 6, 7:30 – 8:45 p.m. A “hands-on” outdoor class will be held at the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum Teaching Garden on Saturday, May 1, 10-11:30 a.m. May 8 is the rain date. The training focuses on skills for volunteering at a local school, techniques for scouting for insects and diseases, and highlighting best management practices for growing productive teaching gardens.  SDSU Extension Master Gardeners can receive up to five hours of volunteer credit for coaching.

Candidates are required to complete and submit an application, with references, no later than Monday, March 15.  Please request a job description and application form, or refer questions to:

Ground Works & SD Agriculture in the Classroom

102 N Krohns Place, Suite 112

Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Phone: 605-275-9159

Email: teachinggardens@groundworksmidwest.org

Website: www.GroundWorks-Midwest.com

How to Start Seeds for a Splendid Spring Garden

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It’s starting to feel like spring has sprung in KELOLAND with the temps climbing. It’s left many thinking about starting their garden. Luckily, we have a little insight into the steps we can be taking now to have a bountiful harvest.

Cami Jacobsen with Minnehaha County Extension Master Gardeners joins us today to show us how we can give our garden the jump-start it deserves.

Watch on Keloland.com:

Contact Us:

4101 West 38th Street 57106
info@MinnehahaMasterGardeners.org
605-782-3290

The SDSU Extension Master Gardener program provides research‐based knowledge to and develops the leadership abilities of volunteers who, in turn, enable others to improve the quality of their lives by enhancing their home and community environments through horticultural education and activities.