Concurrent Sessions

It’s time to think outside the herb garden. Incorporating herbs into the landscape is a new look at the traditional way of growing herbs. Low maintenance, water misers, pollinator attraction, and fantastic foliage. These are just some of the reasons for using herbs throughout the landscape. Get to know the best herbs to use in…
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The Weed Police. Have you ever received a threatening note in your mailbox, taped to your door, or staked into your yard saying you'll soon be fined for weeds in your native plant garden? Don't worry about it. We're going to explore a slew of strategies for dealing with both city code enforcement and HOAs…
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It’s no exaggeration that the digital age has transformed how organizations connect with their audience. Social media, e-newsletters, websites, email, YouTube . . . the list goes on. Which ones are best for growing and marketing your EMG program? Some? All? New technologies present new opportunities! Today’s digital tools are easier than ever to use…
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Why do we call some insects “beneficial” and others “pests”? Why do we welcome some animals and treat others as nuisances? Why are some plants considered desirable while others are weeds? In this myth-busting talk, learn how common growing methods often perpetuate misperceptions about wild neighbors. Discover practical ways to put humane gardening philosophies into…
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When you hear the word cosmopolitan, usually Anacardiaceae doesn’t come to mind (pronounced anna-cord-dee-ay-cee-ay). But after hearing Dr. Pell’s talk, it might. Cashews, mangoes, pistachios, sumac, smoke tree, poison ivy, poisonwood, and even pink peppercorns are all members of the Anacardiaceae, better known as the cashew family. Come on a journey and learn about the…
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Your gardening canvas just got bigger! Join Kenton Seth, a pioneer in modern crevice gardening, as he shows how to bring a miniaturized mountain environment into your yard using crevice gardening, a specialized rock-garden technique. Mountains and deserts are home to some of the most interesting plants in the world. With crevice gardening, you can…
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Come and learn the fundamentals of setting up and running a community teaching garden. Take a front row seat as Theresa explains how the Ochs Community Garden (pronounced "oaks") works for Tampa Bay residents of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. The Ochs Garden is a multi-generational community garden where Master Gardeners, 4H youth, and community…
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Join Kelly Kindscher and learn about the great pharmaceutical house on the prairie. The Plains Indians found medicinal value in more than 200 species of native prairie plants. Science is starting to recognize the contributions they made to horticulture, their use of native plants for healing, and the novel chemicals they contain. Learn about the…
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Our local Master Gardeners love Dr. Bug, and so will you. Dr. Reall’s expertise and edutaining presentations make entomology engaging for audiences of all ages. Insects are essential parts of healthy ecosystems and human wellbeing. Yet, insect decline is occurring at an alarming rate. How do we engage the public in learning more about these…
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Pruning is a basic gardening skill that intimidates most people. It is both an art and a science, which means there are many ways to prune correctly and poorly. Every snip, clip, and cut can affect your plant in different ways for years to come. Attend this fun and lively session and gain a better…
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Seventy-five percent of the world’s food crops depend on honey bees and other pollinators. We all understand the benefit of pollinators and the need to protect them. There is, however, a lot of fact and fiction on this topic. Which is which? Join Dr. Cloyd, a well respected researcher, as he separates fact from fiction.…
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the United Kingdom’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and gardening practices. The RHS manages a vast gardening advice service. COVID forced them to make changes so they could continue to provide the best service and also reach new people. Come and hear their lessons learned. Many can be…
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With drought and extreme weather events on the rise over the last two decades, it is more important than ever to know which plants not only survive but thrive in drought situations. What we plant need not negatively impact water use and our landscape. Join Donna as she skillfully weaves together landscape design and plant…
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Natural dyes have been used to color the fibers of our lives for thousands of years. Buried beneath the popularity of synthetic dyes used in fast fashion is the art of natural dyeing. It’s making a resurgence. Within our gardens and landscapes, there is a plethora of plants for creating beautiful, sustainable, and light-fast colors…
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Explore the history of indigenous gardens, an overlooked area of garden history. Join Devon Mihesuah as she brings to light the wisdom and gardening techniques used by the Five Tribes (Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Muskogee-Creeks and Seminole Native American nations). Learn about: Their large community gardens and how the harvest was divided. The formal rules for…
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Social media is here to stay. It gives EMG programs more reach than ever for teaching and sharing knowledge in meaningful ways. Come and hear how Oregon State University Extension is using social media to better serve the needs of the gardening public and carry out their Master Gardener mission. LeAnn Locher will discuss: Designing…
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What makes hostas the top-selling perennial in America? Come find out from nationally recognized hosta expert, Rob Mortko. Known as “The Hosta Guy,” his plant knowledge is also relevant to our entire international audience. Join Rob and gain a better understanding of: The most popular cultivars. Why hostas, native to Japan, China and Korea, can…
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Public gardens and greenhouses have always been sources of inspiration for Master Gardeners. And there’s more, a lot more, to take advantage of. Join Dr. Pell as she delves deeper and explains the opportunities and resources available to Master Gardeners, not only at public gardens across the United States, but also around the world. Learn…
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Want more hummingbirds to visit your yard this summer? It’s easy when you use hummingbird-friendly plants in your landscaping and choose the right feeders. Come and learn: Basic needs of hummingbirds. Which flowering plants attract hummingbirds and how to use them in your landscape. How to make your own sugar nectar for feeders. Why it’s…
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Have an interest in growing more of your own produce? Have a vegetable garden and want a better harvest? Whether new to food gardening or experienced, you are sure to learn new techniques that will have your harvest baskets overflowing with delicious, healthy, home-grown produce. Learn how to: Boost your harvest in three easy steps.…
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Heat stress. Poison ivy. A sore back. We all know these are common complaints among gardeners. But do you know how to recognize and resolve less common safety challenges facing the modern gardener? As a Certified Safety Professional and Master Gardener, Gail Brandys is an expert in gardening safety. Join Gail in learning how to…
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Have you wanted to work with and teach people from different cultures and languages in your Master Gardener program, but simply don’t know where to start? Come and learn from two Nebraska Extension educators who are doing just that. They are changing the picture in Nebraska, a state that has traditionally underserved cultural audiences in…
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Ever wonder how a plant gets from the idea stage to showing up at your local nursery? Come and join Bill Malouche as he draws back the curtain on this lesser-known journey. Bill will also cover the latest information on: Current trends in the hybridizing and breeding of new perennial introductions with beautiful color, new…
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FACT: The U.S. has almost 50 million people with disabilities. That’s a lot. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, people with disabilities are the nation’s largest minority. The number gets even bigger when adding functional limitations not defined as disabilities---such as arthritis, mobility issues, and age-related conditions. Paul will cover: How to make gardening…
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There is a growing interest in controlling pest problems using natural products. Because they are naturally occurring oils and plant extracts, people think they are safer. But are they? Do they work? Do they have side effects? Dr. Cloyd is a well respected researcher on plant oils. Join him as he guides you in understanding…
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Let’s get into the weeds! Make weeds your allies in creating a more peaceful, non-toxic garden using the ideas in this presentation. Learn to decipher the clues weeds offer about the current condition of your soil. Learn how to reduce weeds using four steps to garden care for long-term soil stability. Get tips to help…
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Ripples are tiny waves generated when someone drops a stone into the water. Ripple Effects Mapping is generating some big waves in the world of evaluation. If you are an Extension professional or a Master Gardener coordinator looking for a new tool to measure the impact of your EMG program in the community, come and…
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How do you experience the joy of gardening when you have mobility or accessibility challenges? Learn about the FIG program - Friendly Inclusive Gardening - developed by Stephen Cantú, a wheelchair user. He developed it when realizing many in the general public and the Master Gardener program didn’t have an understanding about mobility issues when…
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ORCHIDS. Mysterious . . . exotic . . . beautiful . . . difficult to get to bloom. These are the four descriptions orchid grower David Bird hears most often from gardeners. For many people, orchids are a plant of high interest but low confidence when it comes to actually growing them. Join David as…
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How do we restore vital habitats for birds in our communities? How do we help them adapt and survive in the face of climate change? Join this dynamic speaker from the Audubon Society and learn more about: The benefits of choosing native plants for our yards and public spaces. Audubon’s easy-to-use Plants for Birds program.…
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Why do some school gardens take root and become well-established, while others fizzle and fade? Get the antidote to Fizzle-and-Fade from Whitney Cohen, an expert in garden-based education for children. If you are involved in a Junior Master Garden program, school gardens, or want fun ideas for involving your own children in gardening, this is…
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Little orchards. Big impact. Will your city be next in joining this food sovereignty movement? The purpose of the Giving Grove’s work is to inspire and excite neighborhoods about growing food by way of fruits, berries, and nuts. Since the Kansas City nonprofit started planting gardens and orchards in 2013, its footprint has expanded to…
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Expand your culinary horizons and come away with some tasty recipes to boot! You don’t have to become a forager to enjoy the many edible native plants that are quite tasty. Dr. Navarrete-Tindall will cover: How to grow edible natives right along with other edibles in your kitchen garden or landscape. Plant identification and general…
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COVID forced many states to change how they deliver Master Gardener training, including Mississippi State. In 2021, they began using online delivery for initial EMG training. They learned a lot! Come and hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Dr. Jeff Wilson hopes to give you a leg up as you move to…
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Have you ever bought a colorful succulent from the garden center only to have it die a few weeks later? Do you struggle with growing succulents and cacti for more than one season? Worry no more. A leader in the Cactus and Succulent Society, Judy will teach you how to grow them successfully throughout the…
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So much of the climate conversation is powered by the fearful narrative of a dying planet. Hannah Lewis offers a different story. The mini-forest revolution is a movement to restore biodiversity in our cities and towns by transforming empty lots, backyards, and degraded land into mini-forests. Hannah Lewis presents the Miyawaki Method, a unique approach…
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As Horticultural professionals and Master Gardeners, we instinctively know the communities we serve and environment are better because of what we do. But how much better? Join our three panelists as they provide the answer. They detail the depth and breadth of the everyday benefits and value of gardening, both to individuals and communities. Consumer…
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Learning to grow spices used to require acts of dangerous espionage. No more! Spice up your garden, your plate, and your health with your own fresh, homegrown spices. Unlike herbs, spices come from the seeds, roots, bark, or berries of plants, which means growing, harvesting, and preparing spices is a lot more nuanced than growing…
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Carol Davit tells a compelling story of why the prairie matters. Native grasslands occur globally in the form of prairies, glades, savannas, and other grassland-natural communities. In addition to their in situ biological values, grasslands are reservoirs of seed for the native landscaping industry, and provide inspiration for attractive native gardens. Carol will discuss: How…
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How do we inspire Master Gardeners to learn? How do we spice up the same old lecture on container gardening? Kahoot! Kahoot is a subscription-based tool on the web that lets you create online trivia games that are fun and, most importantly, educational. It has over 100 million games on every topic imaginable. Learn how…
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Mother Nature is the perfect engineer and design guru. She has been creating and optimizing her designs for millions of years. She has R & D in the bag. What are her design principles? How might you apply them to garden design? Join Donna as she guides you in seeing nature’s design principles at work---from…
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How can you not love a tiny, gorgeous creature that flies from Mexico to Canada to keep its species on the Earth? Monarch butterflies are one of our most iconic insects. And they need our help. Join this entertaining speaker and outstanding scientist and learn how you can help. Habitat loss and climate change is…
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Children’s gardens are a big part of the Master Gardener mission. Because sensory experiences are so important to a child’s development, creating a sensory garden for children is a natural fit. Join Rene Bookoff as she walks through the how-tos for creating a sensory experience in a community children's garden in Maryland. The photos will…
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Have you wanted a Monet-style garden but thought it was too involved? Then this is the session for you. Come be inspired and entertained at the same time as Gale McRoberts explains how to bring art and gardening together to create a Monet-style garden. Claude Monet transformed the art world by infusing his paintings with…
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Many gardeners today are focused on the pollinator plight and doing all they can to protect and promote them. Yet other gardeners, especially the gardening public, are unlikely to turn their front lawns into native meadows. They want to enjoy the plants they love without feeling guilty for not planting all native plants. IT REALLY…
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Citizen scientists are all the buzz. As the name implies, citizen scientists are people from the general public (citizens) who collaborate with professional scientists in doing applied research. For Extension professionals, Master Gardeners are a natural for collaborating on horticulture research. They love to learn. They have first-hand knowledge and experience. They live where the…
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What gardener doesn’t want to attend this presentation?! Join Mike DeRee from Ball Seed Company as he talks about new annual varieties introduced in 2023, the must-haves, and rock star annuals from the past couple of years. He’ll also entertain and enlighten you with stories about the plant industry, an industry that is both historical…
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We all want better compost faster, an easier composting process, and more waste reduction. Composting is part art and part science. Most gardeners know the science, but many struggle with the art and how to make composting work for them. Take a walk with Stan as he goes beyond the basics and delves deeper into…
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Lilacs . . . “In springtime, love is carried on the breeze.” Brian Morley fell in love with lilacs, so much so that he “bought the farm,” both literally and figuratively, and now grows and collects many varieties of lilacs as well as creates new hybrids. For many of us, the fragrance of lilacs is…
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