MMGA-Houseplants: From History & Benefits to Growing Needs and Challenges
On Thursday, January 29th at 6:30pm, the MMGA will be hosting a talk on houseplants by Carol Brodbeck. This webinar will cover the history and benefits of houseplants, as well as their growing needs and common cultural, pest, and disease problems.
The Zoom session can be reached by clicking on this link or by copying and pasting the link below into your browser. No registration is required. Attending this webinar will count for 1.5 EMG education hours. The webinar will be recorded and a link shared if you cannot make it live.
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83068887236?pwd=bSQh8vErmxTqurJdWXMIfblr7CjXmC.1
MMGA Grant Application Online Support Hour
The MMGA Grant Application period is now officially open, and we’re accepting applications now through April 1! This is your chance to receive up to $500 to support your Master Gardener project.
Application deadline: March 1st
Full details and application materials can be found by clicking this link or copying and pasting this URL into your browser.
https://www.michiganmastergardener.org/mg-grant-program
To assist you through this process, we’ll be hosting Grant Application Office Hours:
Date: Monday, February 2, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Zoom link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82342150179?pwd=XAkyO4gcGSJdl6ilhqqxmKa7ocAQBA.1
These office hours are meant as a casual session, whether you’re just getting started or putting the finishing touches on your proposal. Questions are encouraged, and all questions are good questions!
If you can’t make this time, individual follow-up sessions can be scheduled, and you’re always welcome to reach out with questions at grants@michiganmastergardener.org.
As a reminder, the previously recorded info session is available on our website and is a great resource as you prepare your application. And don’t forget - proposals are due March 1.
We’re excited to support your ideas and look forward to reading your applications!
Soil Health Testing Options and Interpretation
Image by Gabriel Jimenez @gabrielj_photography and free from SquareSpace
Preserving MI Harvest - Canning 101
Whether a beginner to home canning or looking for a refresher on best practices, this FREE Zoom class is for you. Join us to learn how to safely use your water bath and pressure canner to preserve food at home.
The 2026 MI Ag Ideas to Grow With conference will be held virtually, February 23 - March 5, 2026. The program encompasses many aspects of the agricultural industry and offers a full array of educational sessions for farmers and homeowners interested in food production and other agricultural endeavors. While there is no cost to participate, attendees must register to receive the necessary zoom links. Registrants can attend as many sessions as they would like and are also able to jump around between tracks.
Registration for this specific session is part of the larger overall MI Ag Ideas to Grow With program—by signing up for the overall program, you'll gain access to attend this session along with all other program offerings. Register here.
Getting Started with Beekeeping in Michigan
Photo by Bianca Ackermann @biancablah and provided free from SquareSpace
Monarch Joint Venture series: Designing Monarch Overwintering Habitat
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Strategies for Pain-Free Spring for Gardeners
STRATEGIES FOR A PAIN-FREE SPRING is hosted by the North Central Michigan College. Join this FREE 60-minute online presentation by Jeff Samyn, PT, OCS, CSCS. Jeff, a physical therapist, works with Northern Michigan Sports Medicine Center.
If you are looking forward to playing golf or tennis, working in the garden, and/or hopping back on your bike in a month or two, now is the time to start preparing those muscles. Learn what you can do to hit the trails. pavement or flower beds running. Register here.
Garden Design
GARDEN DESIGN - BUILDING YOUR PERFECT GARDEN
In-person Class with Kim Seelinger ~ Saturday, February 28th • 10:00 AM
If you love to garden and do-it-yourself, check out this exciting new class to get your Spring gardening projects kickstarted-- Whether you’re thinking about re-creating or expanding your existing garden space, or if you’re just starting your landscape design following a new build, this is the class for you! In this class we’ll discuss the steps necessary to design & build a beautiful landscape in your yard.
The class will focus on:
Initial design and layout with a focus on creating drama & curb appeal in your garden
Plant selection with a focus on color and texture
Garden bed preparation
Selecting plant materials to suit your situation – critically thinking about your garden space
Planting
Ongoing maintenance
Starting small and building on your plan
The class will provide some real-world examples of plans that have been brought to life and provide a forum to discuss your unique landscape needs. Register here.
Michigan Native Plant Conference
Over the past 39 years, the Wildflower Association of Michigan (WAM) has presented the annual Michigan Native Plant Conference at the Kellogg Convention Center in East Lansing Michigan. This conference has presented timely, actionable and fascinating information about native plants, habitats, landscape design, wildlife, invasive controls and much more. Our 2026 conference will continue in that vein with the theme “Natives and Nature: Cultivating Connections.” Our presenters will focus on the role native plants play in establishing and supporting biodiversity in our world and how individuals can have a lasting impact.
This year, we are offering two days of learning and fun. On Saturday, March 7, we are holding a two-hour class on how those new to the native plant movement can start the transformative work to restore their property to a natural state taught by Jean Persely. Jean is a Master Gardener, Master Composter, Master Rain Gardener, Conservation Steward, Master Naturalist as well as certified Landscape Designer. She will present “Defining Your Canvas: Landscape Design”, an exploration of the art of landscape design. Here you will learn how to invest your time in creating an aesthetically pleasing design that is practical for you and your site. OPTIONAL: Extra time may be added at the end of this program for attendees to work on their own designs. Space is limited, so register early.
After the seminar, we will present a Poster Session which is a presentation of current research into the native plant field by university students from area universities such as Grand Valley, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State and more. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity to learn the newest thinking in the field, but it will also provide networking opportunities. The Poster Session is open to everyone and runs from 6 to 8 pm on Saturday, March 7. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available.
On Sunday, March 8, our Michigan Native Plant Conference will begin. We will offer a light breakfast starting at 8:00 am. Our keynote speaker will begin at 9:00 am followed by breakout sessions so attendees can select the session most interesting to them. Of course, a delicious lunch will be served and there will be an array of vendors selling artwork, jewelry, books and more. During lunch, we will present the WAM Grant winners. These are non-profit organizations who will be using funds from our generous members and donors to create, install and maintain native plant gardens throughout the state.
More information and registration is found here. The start and stop times are place holders for our calendar and exact times will be posted when the conference agenda is finalized and posted. Cost: $150 Nonmembers, WAM Members $120 and students $30
Tree Identification Snowshoe Hike
This free event is hosted by Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy and the Charlevoix Conservation District. Chris Anderson, local tree identification expert from the Conservation District, will lead this educational hike at WLAC Field Preserve. He will identify the tree in this species rich and diverse nature preserve while on a snowshoe hike. WLAC will provide snowshoes or crampons for participants, if conditions require them. Get directions and register for this free event at https://www.walloon.org/
Voices of the Land: A Sand County Almanac Community Reading
The Charlevoix Conservation District at 303 North Street, Boyne City hosts a community reading. Funds for this event provided through a grant from the Aldo Leopold Foundation. For more information on this style of event, click here. Anyone interested in being a reader for this event, please contact Alison Adams at 231-582-6193 or email alison.adams@macd.org
All readers and those attending the event will receive a free book. Refreshments provided.
Among the shores, pines and vivid skies of Northern Michigan, we join voices to honor the land that holds us. Let Leopold’s words awaken a deeper ethic of care as our communities expand, our landscapes feel new pressures, and reaffirm a simple truth: to live here is to care for the land.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Sights, sounds, & science of the migratory monarch colonies
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
2026 Smart Gardener Conference
The MSU Extension Smart Gardening Conference is at the Wayne County Community College District, WCCD Ted Scott Campus, 9555 Haggerty Road, Belleville, MI. Check-in starts at 8 am and the conference begins at 9 am. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning your horticulture journey, this conference offers fresh ideas, inspiring stories, and research-based guidance you can put to use right away. Join us for a day of expert-led learning on climate-adapted plants, butterfly habitat gardening, invasive species awareness, native bee ecology, and native-plant design. It’s a full day of learning designed to help you grow with confidence and make sustainable choices in your landscape. The full day of learning with 6 hours continuing education costs $120. More details about the conference and registration for the event is found at this MSUE website.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Milkweed Biodiversity
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Stories that move monarchs
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
NMMGA Annual Plant Sale
This is meant to hold the date and anticipate a great plant sale hosted by NMMGA members at the Emmet County Fairground in Petoskey.
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc-95th Annual Conference & Flower Show
Save the date! The conference is on June 7 and 8, The conference and statewide flower show will be at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton Ann Arbor North 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. To review the flower show information, click here. The flowers are judged on June 7 and open to the public for viewing on June 8 from 8 am to 4 pm.
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.
Smart Gardening at Lilac Festival
A Smart Gardening information table is set up at the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island from approximately 10 am to 2 pm. NMMGA members with SG certification may contact Ginny Heinritzi at ginnyh1974@gmail.com to volunteer and/or learn more about this volunteer event.
Deadheading & Pruning Lilacs on Mackinac Island
The times are a place holder. Details about this work session will be published when they are available. The Pruning of the Lilacs has become an annual event with participation of NMMGA members and other garden club members such as the Boyne Valley Garden Club. Anne Borowicz, lead MG for this event tells us: The pruning of the Lilac is an important event. We have received a lot of recognition and appreciation for our efforts. Last year, the lilacs in Marquette Park were able to make it through the April 2025 ice storm with very little significant damage. Last year, we had a total of 26 people participate on the 2 pruning days. Lilacs were deadheaded in Marquette Park, St Anne's courtyard, the Marina, and the Tourism Bureau courtyard. This year, I hope that we can again do a repeat of the wonderful job that we did last year.
A total of 25 volunteers will be needed for Tuesday, June 23, 2026 and Tuesday, June 30. Details on this MSUE approved project will be posted soon.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Mapping and Maximizing Monarch Habitats on Federal Conservation Lands
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Deadheading & Pruning Lilacs on Mackinac Island
The times are a place holder. Details about this work session will be published when they are available. The Pruning of the Lilacs has become an annual event with participation of NMMGA members and other garden club members such as the Boyne Valley Garden Club. Anne Borowicz, lead MG for this event tells us: The pruning of the Lilac is an important event. We have received a lot of recognition and appreciation for our efforts. Last year, the lilacs in Marquette Park were able to make it through the April 2025 ice storm with very little significant damage. Last year, we had a total of 26 people participate on the 2 pruning days. Lilacs were deadheaded in Marquette Park, St Anne's courtyard, the Marina, and the Tourism Bureau courtyard. This year, I hope that we can again do a repeat of the wonderful job that we did last year.
A total of 25 volunteers will be needed for Tuesday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 30. Details on this MSUE approved project will be posted soon.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Earth, Wind & Fire-Impacts of Burning and Extreme Weather on Butterflies in South Texas
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Soil-The foundation for thriving habitat
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Seeds of change-How volunteers power prairie restoration
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Pollinator Habitat Conservation & The Energy Sector
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Topic to be named at later date
The topic for this session will be posted as soon as we know what it is! Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: Fighting Invasives at Home
The topic for this session will be posted as soon as we know what it is! Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly online webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Monarch Joint Venture series: How participatory science is closing the knowledge gaps...
Stay connected with the latest monarch conservation topics by attending our free monthly webinars. The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is a unique opportunity to hear from experts across various interdisciplinary fields related to monarchs, other pollinators, their habitats, and the threats and pressures that make conservation urgent. Bring your questions and get ready to discover how you can get involved to protect monarchs.
All webinars are one hour long and start at 1:00 PM Central Time. Please note that scheduled webinars are subject to change.
Sign up once (with only 1 ticket) and attend the webinars that you are interested in. No need to sign up each month. This event is FREE. Donations are not expected but very appreciated.
All webinars are recorded and available to view on the MJV webinar archive page.
Plant Quest #4- Adventure in Ecological Horticulture
Presenter: Rebecca McMackin, Ecological Horticulturist & Garden Designer, Lead Horticulturist for the American Horticultural Society, and producer of the monthly newsletter and podcast ‘Grow Like Wild!’
Gone are the days when a garden could be ornamental alone. We now recognize the impact that our land care practices have on the ecosystems around us and can see the importance of encouraging biodiversity. Thankfully, we do not need to sacrifice beauty when we invite butterflies and songbirds into our gardens. Rebecca McMackin has cultivated gorgeous landscapes in the toughest environments possible: urban parks, school playgrounds, and the sidewalks of New York City. She will take lessons from her work at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Museum, and decades of research to share how those of us who are fortunate enough to care for land can do it beautifully and ecologically.
Registration Information:
JOIN US ON THIS YEAR'S QUEST TO FIND AMAZING PLANTS, NEW GARDENING TECHNIQUES, EXCITING DESIGN IDEAS, AND THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES TO TAKE HOME TO OUR OWN GARDENS!
This 4-part series will be presented via ZOOM.
Cost: $40 - Early registration until Jan. 4 or $50 - Regular registration from Jan. 5 - Jan. 25 Register here.
Attendance: Can't attend all live webinars? Register and pay for the 4-part series to attend the webinars or view via the recordings which will be made available for you after each session. This series is easy to access when it is most CONVENIENT for you! And the ZOOM platform is user-friendly.
Camp Daggett Hosts Torchlight Snowshoe
Join Camp Daggett staff for an evening of winter magic at Camp Daggett’s Torchlight Snowshoe Event, presented in partnership with Bearcub Outfitters. Explore Camp Daggett’s scenic trails by torchlight and experience the beauty of a peaceful winter night on Walloon Lake. Bearcub will be on site to provide snowshoes and help with sizing, or you’re welcome to bring your own. After your walk, warm up in the lodge with hot cocoa, cookies, and a chance to win raffle prizes.
New this year, raffle tickets will be available online before the event - no need to be present to win - and the raffle drawing will take place at 8:00 PM, along with the final call to head out on the trail.
We’ll be hosting just one Torchlight Snowshoe this winter, so make plans to join us for this favorite community tradition. This event is free and no RSVP is required, donations are always appreciated.
This event will provide you a winter wonderland experience on the camp grounds and at the camp lodge. This site, particularly around the lodge, will be the focus of a MSUE MG approved project of garden rehabilitation. Hope to see you there!
Member Program: Winter Sowing & Pot Luck Luncheon
Let’s chase away the winter blues together with a hands-on winter sowing program and potluck!
We will gather at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, at the home of NMMGA member, Karen Pollard: 8895 Horseshoe Drive, Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740-9685 (off M-119 between Petoskey and Harbor Springs).
Bring a clean milk jug or two to sow your seeds. No jugs? No problem. Include your request for jugs when you RSVP with Babette.
Karen will have a variety of seeds to choose from along with everything else we need: soil, tools for making drainage holes, duct tape, garden markers, etc. A potluck will follow so bring a dish to pass. Karen will have warm soup to share.
To view and/or print directions to Karen’s house click here.
Please RSVP to Babette at jackandbabette@chartermi.net or (231) 838-9177.
Monarch Butterflies
North Central Michigan College hosts this in-person lecture by Laurie and Jeff Dykhouse. Cost is $15. Presentation is held in the NCMC Library Conference Center.
Laurie and Jeff Dykehouse have tagged more than 2,000 migrating monarch butterflies at the Straits of Mackinac for the past six years using numbered tags provided by the Monarch Watch organization. Each fall, they capture and tag monarchs that are beginning the long migration south to their winter habitat in the mountains of central Mexico. A few of their tagged butterflies have been recovered at the monarch overwintering preserves in Mexico. This presentation will cover the annual life cycles and fascinating migration of monarchs throughout North America, as well as the process of capturing and tagging monarchs at the Straits of Mackinac.
About the presenters: Jeff worked for the Mackinac State Historic Parks for 36 years and retired in 2020 as their Curator of Natural History. Laurie was a science teacher in the Cheboygan Area Schools for 25 years.
Intergenerational Care for Land and Community
This webinar brings together author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer and youth organizer Esther Bonney for a conversation about how people of different ages find their place in the native plant movement. They will talk about community, belonging, and how care for land grows when stories and skills are shared across generations.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway- we'll send the recording link after the premiere.
This conversation is presented in partnership with Plant Baby Plant and Nurture Natives. All donations made at the time of registration will be shared between Plant Baby Plant, Nurture Natives, and Wild Ones to support community-rooted projects that build intergenerational relationships and put native plants into the ground.
Bonus: Free Book Giveaway
Register and you’ll be automatically entered to win a copy of one of Robin Wall Kimmerer's newest books: Bud Finds Her Gift or The Serviceberry. These two titles echo the heart of the conversation, offering stories and reflections that speak across generations about reciprocity, care for land, and our shared responsibility to one another and the natural world. Already registered? You're in.
About the Presenters:
Robin Wall Kimmerer is an author, scientist, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her books, including Braiding Sweetgrass, weave Indigenous knowledge and ecological science to deepen our relationships with the natural world. In 2025, Robin launched Plant Baby Plant, a movement aimed at re-establishing a reciprocal relationship with the Earth.
Esther Bonney is the founder of Nurture Natives, a nationally recognized youth-led nonprofit empowering young people through native biodiversity restoration. At 19, she is a leading voice at the intersection of youth leadership, environmental stewardship, and community care.
Bonsai with Rod Kivell
Learn about the art of Bonsai from Rod Kivell. He’ll explore with us this art that replaces nature in miniature. Classically Bonsai trees symbolize harmony, peace, balance and strength. To learn more about this ancient art, join us online via Zoom for Rod’s presentation.
Registration is required. www.mganm.org This is sponsored by the MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN (MGANM) and offers Continuing Education credit.. A $5 donation is requested for non-MGANM members.
Plant Quest #3- Gravel Gardens: Gardens for our Changing Climate
Presenter: Jeff Epping, founder of Epping Design & Consulting and former Director of Horticulture at Olbrich Botanical Gardens
In these challenging times of climate change and global warming, environmentally conscious gardeners are looking for better ways to garden. Water guzzling, chemically dependent, pollution causing lawns are unsustainable and can be replaced with so many better alternatives. One great option is earth-friendly gravel gardens that require little water, no fertilizer or other chemicals, no organic mulches and require less time and money to maintain. Don’t be fooled by the name, these gardens are as beautiful as they are resilient and support a myriad of native fauna.
Registration Information:
JOIN US ON THIS YEAR'S QUEST TO FIND AMAZING PLANTS, NEW GARDENING TECHNIQUES, EXCITING DESIGN IDEAS, AND THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES TO TAKE HOME TO OUR OWN GARDENS!
This 4-part series will be presented via ZOOM.
Cost: $40 - Early registration until Jan. 4 or $50 - Regular registration from Jan. 5 - Jan. 25 Register here.
Attendance: Can't attend all live webinars? Register and pay for the 4-part series to attend the webinars or view via the recordings which will be made available for you after each session. This series is easy to access when it is most CONVENIENT for you! And the ZOOM platform is user-friendly.
Winter Herbal Tea Workshop
Join us for our Winter Herbal Tea Workshop with Sandi Clark and discover the rich history and wellness benefits of herbal teas. Sandi will give a brief history of herbal teas and highlight the beneficial properties of the most popular herbs used in teas today. Learn how to make your own herbal tea blends using common garden herbs! Participants will be invited to design their own personal tea blend and prepare a tea bag to take home. There will be both hot and cold herbal teas available for sampling, as well as a few herbal mocktails to try.
Registration closes on 1/15/2025 and the inclement weather date is Sunday, January 18th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.COST: $25-$35
About the Instructor:
Sandi Clark is an Advanced Master Gardener, member of Midwest Michigan Herb Associates, and past member of Michigan Herb Associates. Sandi resides in Interlochen and volunteers at the Botanic Garden and The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City.
Tickets are limited to 25 participants! Reserve your spot today! Click here to register.
Plant Quest #2- Working Together to Protect and Preserve Trees for the Future
Presenter: Kim Shearer, Director of Collections & Curator, The Morton Arboretum
At The Morton Arboretum, an institution with more than a century of experience, there is a long-established mission to collect and study trees and other plants from around the world to enhance the environment and quality of living for all humans while also preserving and conserving trees. In this webinar, Kim Shearer will share her experience and the work of the Arboretum in its efforts to collect, conserve, protect, and introduce trees through collaborative efforts both internally and externally. The world's woodland communities are vast and diverse. It will take more than just one individual, one institution, or even one nation to champion their survival when faced with the reality of climate change. Learn how The Morton Arboretum and their partners are working together to secure a greener, healthier, more resilient future.
Registration Information:
JOIN US ON THIS YEAR'S QUEST TO FIND AMAZING PLANTS, NEW GARDENING TECHNIQUES, EXCITING DESIGN IDEAS, AND THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES TO TAKE HOME TO OUR OWN GARDENS!
This 4-part series will be presented via ZOOM.
Cost: $40 - Early registration until Jan. 4 or $50 - Regular registration from Jan. 5 - Jan. 25 Register here.
Attendance: Can't attend all live webinars? Register and pay for the 4-part series to attend the webinars or view via the recordings which will be made available for you after each session. This series is easy to access when it is most CONVENIENT for you! And the ZOOM platform is user-friendly.
Winter Seed Sowing
Join CAKE CISMA for a winter sowing hands-on learning experience at the Charlevoix Conservation District Community Room at 303 North Street in Boyne City. Come learn all about how to winter sow native plants and their process of "Cold Stratification" which helps seeds know the right time to germinate based on temperature changes. Please RSVP to 231-582-6193. Limited space available.
Entrance is at side of the building and is handicap accessible. Handicap parking is available.
Houseplant Exchange: January 9-30
Picture from the Boyne District Library monthly newsletter
Plant Quest #1-Tempting Tropicals for Temperate Gardens
The presenter is Marc Hachadourian, Director of Glasshouse Horticulture & Senior Curator of Orchids, New York Botanical Garden.
Tropical plants offer gardeners a vast range of possibilities to expand their plant palette, adding bold color and fast-growing foliage to the summer garden. From Cannas to Bananas or the hummingbird favorite Salvias, these plants can add dramatic flair, sculptural accents, and exotic colors to a summer garden. Marc Hachadourian, who oversees the diverse glasshouse plant collections and much of the living content of the New York Botanical Garden’s seasonal exhibitions, will show us how to take advantage of tropical annuals to enhance our landscapes from spring until frost.
Registration Information:
JOIN US ON THIS YEAR'S QUEST TO FIND AMAZING PLANTS, NEW GARDENING TECHNIQUES, EXCITING DESIGN IDEAS, AND THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICES TO TAKE HOME TO OUR OWN GARDENS!
This 4-part series will be presented via Zoom.
Cost: $40 - Early registration until Jan. 4 or $50 - Regular registration from Jan. 5 - Jan. 25 Register here.
Attendance: Can't attend all live webinars? Register and pay for the 4-part series to attend the webinars or view via the recordings which will be made available for you after each session. This series is easy to access when it is most CONVENIENT for you! And the ZOOM platform is user-friendly.
Deadline-NMMGA Grant Proposals
The NMMGA awards up to $500 annually for member projects. This year the Board voted to approve funds for the Central School Garden project. Members may submit proposals for 2026 project funds before the end of this year. The Board will make the decision to award funds by March 15. The proposal must be submitted by a member of the NMMGA for an approved Extension Master Gardener project. The proposal should include names of those involved, a description of the project and how it aligns with our mission. Funds are allocated for the calendar year. If they are not used, they will not roll over into the following year. A final report with project photos should be submitted at the completion of the project (or end of the calendar year in which the funds were used). Contact Babette jackandbabette@chartermi.net or Beth bethcowie@mac.com for more information or to submit a proposal for your project.
NMMGA Board Meeting
Online meeting of the NMMGA board of directors. Please contact Beth Cowie for a link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Deadline for 2025 Hours
Please have all your volunteer hours and education hours posted to volunteer central by midnight today. The minimum requirements to maintain EMG status is 20 hours of volunteering and 10 hours of education.
General information and instructional videos plus link to Volunteer Central is here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/master_gardener_volunteer_program/for-extension-master-gardeners/volunteer_management_systems
Don’t wait! The deadline for entering volunteer and education hours is November 30. If you would like a refresher on how to enter hours or assistance navigating Volunteer Central, please contact our NMMGA Volunteer Central Ambassadors, Lorraine Lund lmlu83@yahoo.com or Ginny Heinritzi ginnyh1974@gmail.com You can also call (231-256-8323) for phone support from the Leelanau County MSU Extension Office.
Marvelous Mushrooms
Join the Antrim Conservation District for Marvelous Mushrooms and learn all about these amazing fungi with the Great Lake Mushroom Company! You'll learn all about mushroom cultivation, gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, and lots of cool educational insights. Every participant will take home their own All in One Grow kit so you can grow your own mushrooms at home! This workshop isn't just about mushrooms though, you'll learn about their vital role in our ecosystem and how important they are to our environment!
Cost: $39
Location: 7915 Cameron Street, Central Lake, MI
DEADLINE-2026 Scotland Garden Study Tour-MSUE MG Gardener Program
DEADLINE To Register for this epic tour is today. May 3-12 “Scotland’s Gardens, Castles and Landscapes: Scotland Gardens Study Tour” Maximum of 21 seats-first come/first served. Registration closes Nov. 25 or when spaces are full whichever comes first. For more information and to register: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/2026-scotland-garden-study-touroffered-by-the-msu-extension-master-gardener-prog
Living in the Liberated Landscape: My Yard
oin Wild Ones for a free webinar featuring award-winning ecological designer and author Larry Weaner. Imagine a yard that becomes richer in wildlife and easier to care for with each season! All too often in our gardens and landscapes, we think of static compositions of carefully placed and managed plants. But our approach can be more dynamic and arguably more rewarding than that, by taking advantage of plants’ natural abilities to reproduce and proliferate.
Learn how to design gardens that consider the reproductive abilities of plants, the ecological processes that affect those plants, and the wildlife that those plants can support. Drawing from 35 years of observation and analysis on his home property, Larry will show how this interactive approach can result in experientially rich, easily managed landscapes that give new meaning to the phrase “partnership with nature".
Bonus: Free Book Giveaway Register and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two copies of Garden Revolution by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway- we'll send the recording link after the premiere.
Wild Ones-Elder Piper Social Event
Wild Ones of Northwest Lower Michigan is hosting a social event. Join other native plants enthusiasts to ask questions and share info. Whether your yard is completely native or you are just getting started on your native plant journey, come join others for some plant talk and good drinks!
Where? Elder Piper Cider & Beer, 923 Baxter, Petoskey Need directions?
NMMGA Member Meeting & Holiday Luncheon
This scheduled NMMGA annual member meeting starts at NOON and includes a pot-luck luncheon and a “Winter Sowing” presentation by Karen Pollard, Master Gardener and a member of NMMGA. The meeting will be held at the Harbor Springs City Hall community room. Bring a dish to share at this potluck luncheon and business meeting.
Directions to the City Hall at 160 Zoll Street in Harbor Springs (corner of Main & Zoll Streets) from your location can be mapped out by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis-Stolz
DIG IN!
This is a pre-registered monthly program. A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners. Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. Look for registration for the 2026 series this fall.
Lindsey Kerr and MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Colleagues present Garden Gifts, Tools and Books, Gear up for the gift-giving season with ideas from the MSU Consumer Horticulture Team. Join Lindsey Kerr and her colleagues to roll out their favorites. Cool books, garden tools, and gadgets—get great ideas for gift giving to gardening friends…and what to add to your wish list!
NMMGA Board Meeting
NMMGA board of directors meeting at Petoskey Library. Please contact Beth Cowie or Babette Stenuis-Stolz if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz