U of MN Extension Pennington County Master Gardeners

U of MN Extension Pennington County Master Gardeners The U of MN Extension Pennington County Master Gardeners would like to keep you informed of upcoming Read about its origins on their site (106 K PDF).

The University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener™ program is an internationally recognized volunteer program. It exists in all fifty states, in Canada and in the United Kingdom. Nationally, there are nearly 100,000 Master Gardener volunteers from all walks of life. They reach about 5 million people each year – the equivalent of more than $100 million in value to communities. In Minnesota, the

Master Gardener program is coordinated by University of Minnesota Extension and has strong ties to the research and outreach of the Department of Horticultural Science. The Master Gardener program began in 1972 at Washington State University. The University of Minnesota program started in 1977 with the first class of 25 people. The activities of the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners benefit schools, community gardens, youth programs, environmental education programs, farmers markets, and much more. Master Gardeners are required to volunteer 50 hours the first year as interns and 25 hours annually thereafter as certified active Master Gardeners. Active volunteers are also asked to participate in continuing education of 5-12 hours per year, depending on the county in which they volunteer. Some activities of Master Gardeners include:
*teaching classes and workshops
*answering phone inquiries concerning home horticulture
*assisting with county Horticulture Days
*teaching and demonstrating horticulture techniques in community and school gardens
*teaching youth and judging horticulture projects
*media interviews and articles on horticulture topics
*speaking to schools and youth groups on gardening topics
*holding plant clinics at garden centers and farmers markets
*representing the program at county and state fair exhibits
*horticulture therapy for both children and adults
*teaching horticulture in hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement centers. The University of Minnesota Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Thursday August 6, 4-8 pm Come out to see the beautiful gardens.You get your ticket at the first site you visit!
08/03/2026

Thursday August 6, 4-8 pm
Come out to see the beautiful gardens.
You get your ticket at the first site you visit!

It’s Entry day! The Master Gardeners are ready to help! Bring those beautiful blooms/plants to show at the Penningto...
07/15/2026

It’s Entry day! The Master Gardeners are ready to help! Bring those beautiful blooms/plants to show at the Pennington County Fair. Huck Olson arena from 10-5 pm.

07/14/2026

Exhibit Your Flowers at the Pennington County Fair.
Wednesday, July 15, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Huck Olson Arena in Thief River Falls. Premium book -https://penningtoncountyfair.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Premium.pdf
What do I do when exhibiting cut flowers at the fair? Here are a few tips from the Northern Gardener exhibit handbook. https://northerngardener.org/what-we-do/judging-exhibiting/
For proper conditioning flowers should be cut not less than twelve hours before they are to be used. The first specimens cut should be those used in the horticultural section, since they are usually the ones with the largest and most uniform bloom, and the straightest stems. They should be LABELED WITH THE CORRECT VARIETAL NAME. Always cut more than the schedule requires in case some are injured in transport.
The preferred time for cutting materials is in the early evening or morning. A sharp knife or clippers should be used. Woody stems should be peeled back and split, to allow the stem to take up more moisture. Plant material that exudes a milky substance should be sealed by searing the cut end, using a flame, or dipping it into powdered alum. Some plant material, such as delicate ferns, require complete immersion for several hours. Dahlias must have about two inches of the stem placed in very warm water, allowing water to cool, then adding more tepid water to the container.
After the specimens have been cut, the FLOWERS and/or FOLIAGE SHOULD be GENTLY WASHED to remove dust, rain spatters, spray, or insects. A mild detergent may be used. Then they should be set upright in deep water in a cool dark place, free of drafts for several hours or overnight to harden. This is most important because water is absorbed to fill the cut stem, leaves, and bloom, so that they will retain their condition at the show. Leaves below the water level should be removed because they will deteriorate very rapidly.

07/02/2026

Save the date! August 6, 2026. 4-8 pm. Master Gardener Garden Tour.
4 great local gardens. More info to come.

02/04/2026

We are looking for vendors at the workshop! Anyone interested?

01/29/2026

Address

101 Main Avenue N
Thief River Falls, MN
56701

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(218) 683-7030

Website

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