Education/Events

2025 GARDEN CONFERENCE

Saturday • March 29 🕗 8:00-3:30 📌Bridgewood Resort Hotel – Neenah, WI

$50 gets you a day of learning, lunch, and shopping

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE (fees apply)

Be ready to shed old ideas,
grow alongside fellow enthusiasts,
and emerge ready to transform your
approach to gardening.

Five Dynamic Learning Sessions:

Monarch Butterflies – Biology and Conservation presented by Karen Oberhauser, Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, UW-Madison Arboretum (past director)
- Monarch butterfly populations have been declining over the last 25 years—essentially the entire time we’ve been monitoring them. Karen will describe the amazing biology of migratory monarchs, how we can use data collected by scientists and the public to understand what is driving monarch numbers, and what we can do with that information. The take-home message will be how we can address species conservation — in our own gardens and beyond — in the face of climate and other human-driven changes.
- Karen describes her research field — conservation biology — as the science of hope. The challenges we face as we work to preserve biodiversity are steep, but our collective concern for monarchs and, by extension, the thousands of species with which they share habitats can provide a glimmer of hope in a complicated world.
Four-Season Gardening in Wisconsin presented by Scott Johnson, Low Technology Institute
- Scott says: Let’s look at some ideas for growing year-round in Wisconsin! These can be as simple as using insulated covers for cold-hardy greens or as complex as building in-ground greenhouses with passive and active heating. I’ll also share a whole bunch of ideas in between as well as some indoor growing strategies.
Cut-Flower Gardening presented by Rachel Price, Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape, and Kellie Johnson, Branching Out & Co. and Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape
- Most of us enjoy flowers outdoors, but do you ever bring them inside? A fresh flower arrangement can transform your space with a pop of color, fresh scent and the textures of nature. Rachel and Kellie will share how to select the best flowers for cutting and establish a cut-flower garden in your own yard, then do a quick tutorial on creating an arrangement.
Plant Health – Before you pick up that bottle of chemicals – presented by Tom Jensen, Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape
- Are your plants looking a little under the weather? Before you reach for a chemical solution, learn how to unlock the secrets of vibrant plant health naturally! In this talk, we’ll explore the proactive steps you can take to create a thriving environment for your plants. We’ll cover:
  - • Understanding Your Plants: Learn to recognize signs of stress and identify common pests and diseases.
  - • The Power of Prevention: Discover how healthy soil, proper watering techniques, and the right light conditions can prevent problems before they start.
  - • Remedies: Explore effective, best practice solutions for common plant ailments using readily available chemicals or other options
Must-See Gardens in Wisconsin presented by Rob Zimmer, Rob Zimmer Outdoors
- Despite its short growing season, Wisconsin offers a multitude of experiences for enthusiasts who want to immerse themselves in diverse garden settings. Rob will take us around the state to public gardens, natural areas and more — both formal and informal — to introduce us to a whole new way to absorb and appreciate nature in garden settings of all kinds.

GARDEN TALKS

The famous Roman philosopher Cicero once said, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” He certainly found a winning combination because the Appleton and Kimberly public libraries together with Outagamie County Master Gardener Association is proud to again feature a series of workshops and lectures for the 2025 calendar year called Garden Talks. The public will be welcomed to a variety of garden-related talks and demonstrations featuring local speakers and gardeners.

Succulents Presentation

Appleton Public Library • Saturday, April 12 • 10 am – 11:30 am

Succulents are having their moment in the limelight. They are easy care, varied, and very, very interesting. Wei, from Wei’s Garden in Black Creek will give us some basics on succulent care, maintenance, and design. Wei Gardens is truly a unique place for creativity with a gift shop, greenhouse, craft show and venue for a wide variety of events.

Perennials Presentation

Appleton Public Library • Saturday, May 10 • 10 am – 11:30 am

Perennials are the backbone of any landscape. Every year new varieties are available to the home gardener in a wide array of colors and textures and needs. This program will introduce some new varieties as well as discuss the tried-and-true varieties that you may not have considered in the past. The varieties discussed will be available at the Outagamie County Master Gardener plant sale on May 17, 2025 at the UW- Outagamie County Extension Offices at 3365 W Brewster St. in Appleton.

Garden Design Presentation

View the Presentation HERE

Garden design is a great way to use your creativity, customize your needs, and save a bit of money. Here in Wisconsin, the best way to utilize your garden is to plan for all four seasons of interest!! In this workshop, we will discuss basic garden design elements and principles. We will discuss garden preparations. We will also get out the graph paper and colored pencils and begin to lay out a few ideas for you to implement. If you choose, bring the measurements of your space and key features like hills/valleys, trees/buildings, shrubs, etc. and which direction is North.