LAKE ELMO – Mark your calendars now for the annual Plant Sale and Garden Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners of Washington County. Home gardeners can buy a wide variety of plants, as well as nature and garden-themed crafts, and get their gardening questions answered at the free Diagnostic Clinic. The event will be held inside Building A at the Washington County Fairgrounds, located at Highway 5 and Manning Avenue in Lake Elmo. Bring a wagon for shopping; cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
The plant sale will feature quality annuals and perennials, Minnesota Seed Trial winners, native and prairie plants, monarch and pollinator plants, grasses, shade plants, both heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, herbs, vegetables, and more. Master Gardener volunteers will be ready to offer expert advice on plant selection, whether for novice gardeners looking to fill a few pots on the patio or for seasoned growers hoping to attract more butterflies and hummingbirds to their gardens.
The public is encouraged to bring in plant or insect samples to the Diagnostic Clinic for analysis and recommendations. The Garden Expo features education by specially trained tree care advisors, planting for pollinators, and other gardening topics. The Garden Market area’s nature and garden-themed crafts will include gift items, trellises, bird and bee houses and feeders, art, tools, gloves and other implements.
During the summer months, the Master Gardener volunteers are available to answer gardening questions at the Cottage Grove Farmer's Market the 1st and 3rd Thursday. For more information about the UMN Extension Washington County Master. Gardener Volunteer Program, visit: washingtoncountymg.org.
