Hubbard County Master Gardeners, University of Minnesota Extension

04/24/2026

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we extend our sincere thanks to the 23 members of the Hubbard County Master Gardeners! Your dedication, expertise, and willingness to serve make a meaningful impact across our community. From nurturing gardens to sharing valuable knowledge, your work does not go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do to help our community grow!

04/12/2026

What a great couple of days at Plant-A-Basket on April 10–11! 62 people joined us, and many shared that this event has become an annual spring tradition they look forward to each year.

Attendees enjoyed informative Master Gardener presentations, great food, and the chance to get a head start on their planting while selecting and ordering beautiful plants. Participants also had the opportunity to design their own hanging baskets with guidance and expertise from the Hubbard County Master Gardeners.

A big thank you to Flying W Gardens for hosting the Hubbard County Master Gardeners and providing such a great space for this event. We appreciate the partnership and everyone who came out to make the weekend so enjoyable!

04/03/2026

Learn how to identify and fix common seedling problems with this quick troubleshooting guide from UMN Extension.

03/18/2026

Us gardeners can understand just how unique our area of Minnesota is, that’s why it’s so important to know how these varieties perform. Several Hubbard County Master Gardeners were a part of these seed trials. This information can help you with your varietal selection this growing season! 

Just in time for spring, Minnesota Master Gardeners have added new top performers to the results of more than 40 years of data-driven seed trials.

03/09/2026

Did you know…you can simplify some of your gardening by winter sowing? There’s still time to plant some cold-hardy seeds, set them outside and forget them! Doesn’t that sound refreshing? No lights, no hardening off. Check out this article to learn more!
Have you tried WINTER SOWING? What's been your experience?

Winter sowing is a simple, budget-friendly way to grow native plants that pollinators love. Come spring, you’ll have strong, hardy seedlings ready for transplanting.

03/01/2026

Hey gardeners - let’s have some fun!

Even as we’re crunching through snow, many of us are already dreaming about sinking our hands into the spring soil. Winter is the perfect time to swap stories, laugh a little, and learn from each other.

What was your favorite gardening win - or epic fail - last year?
Wins can be big or gloriously small, like:
- Finally growing tomatoes that actually ripened
- Harvesting even one homegrown meal
- Outsmarting a pest without giving up (or losing your mind)

And yes—failures totally count! We’ve all had plants that didn’t make it, seeds that never sprouted, or gardens that looked amazing in our heads… and very different in real life.

Let’s grow together! Share your story and/or photo below - your win might inspire someone, and your fail might make another gardener feel right at home!

02/27/2026

The Hubbard County Master Gardeners are excited to present Plant-A-Basket at Flying W Gardens in Park Rapids! Join us for a fun and educational spring kickoff where you’ll create your own beautiful hanging basket—just in time for the growing season.

Session Options:
• April 10 | 3:00–6:00 PM
• April 11 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM

Cost: $45 per basket
Includes your hanging basket, plant plugs, and a delightful tea party lunch.

Plant your custom basket during the event, and Flying W Gardens will nurture it in their greenhouse until it’s ready to thrive outdoors—no worrying about early spring weather!

During the event, University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners will offer two engaging mini-presentations:
🌱 Seed Saving in Your Garden
🌼 Flower Basket Care & Maintenance

Space is limited—call Flying W Gardens at (218) 732-9782 to register today!

Come plant, learn, and celebrate spring with us!

Events Plant-A-Basket Annual planting party were guests plant baskets when the plants are still small and get the baskets back once they have grown up. Community ed events Different planting events hosted by Park Rapids Community Education such as a winter planter workshop Seasonal Sales Seasonal sa...

12/10/2025

Returning for 2026 by popular demand!

Curious about the best ways to support Minnesota’s native bees and strengthen pollinator habitat where you live? Interested in the newest research on bee health, habitat needs, and conservation strategies? This year’s three-part webinar series from University of Minnesota Extension brings together expert educators, researchers, and Master Gardeners to highlight keystone plants and “Soft Landings” designs, share the latest findings from the UMN Bee Lab, and showcase successful pollinator projects from across the state. Learn practical, science-based steps you can take to help pollinators thrive in any space—large or small. Join us January 26, 27, and 28 from 1:00–2:30 p.m. CST for this free webinar series. Pre-registration is required at z.umn.edu/BeeSeries to receive the webinar links.

01/09/2025

WINTER GARDEN COLLEGE
Tuesday, March 11 – Park Rapids, 5-7 pm

The Event Room, 1104 Park Ave S Suite 2, Park Rapids, MN 56470

Winter Garden College is a two-hour deep dive into back yard gardening and small-scale farming topics. In this course, you will learn how cover crops improve soil health by preventing erosion, providing nutrients, building organic matter, and feeding beneficial microbes. This course is split into two 45-minute presentations along with a 30-minute hands-on session. The first session will show simple ways to integrate cover crops into your home garden for a healthier, more productive growing season. In the second session, you will learn strategies to extend the growing season by using different tools and techniques. The hands-on activity provides an opportunity to build knowledge and confidence in reading and interpreting a soil test, and practice building a garden plan to implement cover crops for improved soil health. Other topics covered include growing degree days, sowing dates, solutions for weather related issues, and tips for optimizing production as a northern climate grower.This event is free to attend, but advance registration is requested. More information and registration can be found at z.umn.edu/WGC2025.

08/07/2024

The Hubbard County Extension Master Gardeners use research-driven science, often from the University of Minnesota, to grow foods, flowers, and more. We’d love it if you join us. Learn more at z.umn.edu/MGinfo

Find out how to apply to be a Master Gardener and register for the core course.

06/08/2024

Garden Stroll of Heartland Lakes to benefit CHI St. Joseph's Health
Saturday, July 27, 2024
9:00am – 3:00pm
$30/Ticket includes boxed lunch
Tickets may be purchased at the hospital gift shop, or online below. For more information, please call 952-240-7515.
In partnership with CHI St. Joseph's Health Auxiliary, the Hubbard County Master Gardeners cordially invite you to join us in a spectacular garden tour.
https://chisjh.org/auxiliary-garden-stroll/