Register today for the Spring Event on Saturday, March 21, 2026, hosted by the Minnehaha Master Gardeners! Enjoy a day full of fun and learning at The Hub at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls. Join us as we dream and plan for warmer days.
Join us for a day of gardening inspiration, information, and fun! This long-standing event sponsored by the Minnehaha Master Gardeners will get you excited for spring and ready to put your new gardening knowledge into action!
The $40 ticket price includes:-
- Three engaging keynote presentations
- A panel of Master Gardeners on gardens that give back
- A Classroom Talk on Native Plants and Bird Habitat
- Table Talks on wide-ranging topics given by Master Gardeners
- A delicious, boxed lunch from a highly-rated caterer
- Door prizes using a new ticket system for choices
Register at: https://donorbox.org/events/900518
Registration
To Register, go to Donorbox and follow the prompts: https://donorbox.org/events/900518
Price for full day is $40. Tickets purchased through March 10 include lunch. Due to catering deadlines, tickets purchased March 11 or later will not include lunch.
**Note: All attendees must register for the event through Donorbox. Tickets will not be sold at the door on the day of the event.
Lunch
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- Ham and Cheese Croissant Sandwich
- Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Veggie Wrap - includes tomato, onion, broccoli, carrots, shredded cheese and touch of mayo
- Gluten Free Club Wrap - includes turkey, bacon, and ham
Water dispensers will be available; please bring your own water bottle.
Door Prizes
Door prize drawings – must be present to win!
Continuing Education Credits
SDSU Extension Master Gardeners may earn 5.5 hours continuing education credit for attending all sessions of this event!
Refunds
Email MinnehahaMGReg@gmail.com for refund requests. No refunds can be given after March 10.
Questions?
Email MinnehahaMGReg@gmail.com.
Printer Friendly Schedule
| 8:30 - 9:00 | Registration |
| 9:00 - 9:50 |
Session 1 – Designing with Annuals: A New Spin on the Color Wheel
presented by Esther E. McGinnis, Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor, North Dakota State University, Fargo
While trees, shrubs, and perennials are gardening staples, colorful annuals provide instant interest and excitement to your garden haven. This presentation uses the color wheel to help gardeners pick appealing annuals that provide enjoyment throughout the growing season. |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Break, Classroom and Table Talks, Information Tables |
| 10:30 - 11:20 |
Session 2 – Wild Blooms, Wild Wings—Gardens that Give Back
presented by Minnehaha Master Gardeners Arlene Brandt-Jenson, Donna Breed, and Mary Lerssen
As gardeners, it’s up to us to provide the beneficial blooms and protective plant cover for the “little things that run the world,” a concept popularized by biologist E.O. Wilson. In this Master Gardener Spotlight Session, Minnehaha Master Gardeners share their real-life experiences in reducing lawn size to conserve resources, planting for diversity to attract pollinators and wildlife, using native plants to support biodiversity, and planting perennials that provide needed habitat. |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | Lunch, Classroom and Table Talks, Information Tables |
| 12:30 - 1:20 |
Session 3 – Let Go of the Blueberry Dream and Embrace Our Fruit Reality
presented by John Ball, SDSU Extension Forestry Specialist and SD DANR Forest Health Specialist
Why aren’t my blueberry bushes doing well? Because they are upset that you planted them in South Dakota. In this presentation we will cover fruits better fit for our challenging climate. |
| 1:30 - 2:00 | Classroom and Table Talks, Information Tables |
| 2:00 - 2:50 |
Session 4 – Debunking Common Vegetable Garden Myths
presented by Esther E. McGinnis, Extension Horticulturist and Associate Professor, North Dakota State University, Fargo
Much of our gardening knowledge we learn from word of mouth and from our phone screens. But how accurate are these gardening tips? This presentation addresses some of the popular garden myths and misconceptions that have worked their way into popular culture, and looks at what the science actually reveals about these “easy gardening hacks”. |
| 3:00 |
Optional Tour of Southeast Technical College Horticulture Dept & Greenhouses
with Benjamin Ringling, STC Horticulture Technology Instructor
(Meet in the commons area of the Hub to walk as a group to the Ed Wood Building) |
Esther McGinnis
Esther McGinnis is an Associate Professor in the North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences. She is also an Extension Horticulturist and Director of the NDSU Extension Master Gardener Program. Her graduate students conduct research in the areas of native plant evaluation, pollinator conservation, and plants for rain garden environments. As the administrator of the Extension Master Gardener Program, impactful initiatives include planting pollinator habitat, fighting food insecurity, community beautification, and plant diagnosis. In her previous career, she practiced law for ten years in St. Paul, MN.
John Ball
John Ball is a Professor of Forestry at South Dakota State University where he also serves as the Extension Forestry Specialist and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Forest Health Specialist. Dr. Ball has worked for the state for nearly 35 years, traveling across the state almost weekly during the growing season helping people with their shade, windbreak, forest and fruit trees and shrubs.
Arlene Brandt-Jenson
Arlene Brandt-Jenson retired from a 28-year career with Natural Resources Conservation Service, so she is very familiar with native grasses and forbs, having worked with farmers to plant their CRP acres. She became a certified Master Gardener in 2012 and has held leadership roles at statewide and local levels. Inspired by authors such as Heather Holm and Doug Tallamy, she is putting into practice concepts such as how specialist native bees can only get pollen from certain flowers. Arlene has transformed her own backyard from sterile grass to a native plant menagerie.
Donna Breed
Donna Breed, a life-long gardener and a 2024 Minnehaha Master Gardener, received her Pollinator Steward certification from the Pollinator Partnership, a North American non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of pollinators and their ecosystems, this past summer. Donna and her husband continually plant trees, shrubs, and native perennials in their rural Beresford acreage and celebrate the noticeable increase in biodiversity, including increased monarch activity and the return of the Bob White Quail to their property.
Mary Lerssen
Mary Lerssen, a retired nurse and lifelong gardener, became a SDSU Extension Master Gardener in 2006 and has received the Gold Star Award. Mary attributes her love of everything from apple trees to zinnias to her early years spent gardening with her grandfather and mom. She also is active in South Dakota Federated Garden Clubs, Inc., and has served in its leadership. Printer Friendly Table Talk & Info Table Descriptions
Grow It Indoors with a DIY Plant Light Cart
This DIY plant light cart offers the perfect solution for small areas! Utilizing only 2 square feet of floor space, the 3-tier rolling cart equipped with LED lights is perfect for seed starting, cultivating cuttings, or growing an array of plants such as herbs, succulents, and houseplants! Get the details on building your own!
Exploring the Beautiful World of Hydrangeas
Dive into the diverse and vibrant world of hydrangeas, exploring the key varieties and their unique characteristics. You will learn about the different flower shapes, colors, and growing conditions that make each type of hydrangea special.
Native Plants for Bird Habitat in South Dakota
To have abundant backyard birds, waterfowl, and other species, we need to have appropriate habitat to support them. Native plants play an important role in providing this bird habitat. In this presentation you’ll learn about native plants for different habitat regions in South Dakota and receive plant recommendations and tips to improve bird habitat on your property.
Growing Together — The Teaching Garden
The Minnehaha Master Gardener Teaching Garden has been growing for two years now. This year’s highlights include: strawbale gardening, early spring solar row cover, bacterial spot disease, swallowtail caterpillars and more. A Food Forest area is being developed. Monthly MMG guided tours will help you learn, compare, and plan a garden with confidence.
SDSU Horticulture Happenings
Visit with SDSU students about their interesting horticulture projects and activities.
Horticultural Technology at Southeast Technical College
Come chat with the Horticulture Technology students from Southeast Technical College! They are eager to educate you on all the fun activities, projects, and other happenings going on with their program. The students are busy prepping the greenhouse for the annual plant sale coming up at the end of the semester. Exciting things are happening at STC!
Information Tables During Lunch & Breaks
- Minnehaha Master Gardeners
- Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum
- SDSU Native Plant Initiative
- South Dakota Federated Garden Clubs, Inc.
- Pasque Hill on Beaver Creek
- McCrory Gardens
- SARE - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
- Free Horticulture Books, Magazines, Publications
Printer Friendly Directions
Location
The HUB at Southeast Technical College – 2001 North Career Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57107
Directions
Directions from the North:
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- From Southbound I29, take Exit 81 (Russell/Maple St) and turn right onto Maple Street.
- Follow Maple Street west to N Career Avenue. Turn left onto N Career Avenue.
- Follow N Career Avenue south to The Hub at 2001 N Career Avenue.
Directions from the South:
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- From Northbound I29, take Exit 80 (Madison St) and turn left onto Madison Street.
- Follow Madison St west to Terry Avenue. Turn right onto Terry Avenue.
- Follow Terry Avenue north to N Career Avenue. Turn right onto N Career Avenue.
- Follow N Career Avenue (road curves) to The Hub at 2001 N Career Avenue.
Parking
All parking areas are open to the public.
Best Parking Locations:
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- Southeast Technology Center - I.T. Support
- Lot north of Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center
