Learn how to freeze your garden fresh vegetables by blanching and freezing. We’ll discuss what blanching is, what to blanch and tips for freezing veggies. Join the MSU Extension Food Safety Team to learn the latest methods and research for preserving foods at home. Let us help you fill your pantry and freezer by preserving food safely. Join online via Zoom using your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or any device with internet access. 

These FREE classes are offered from 1-2 p.m. or from 6-7 p.m. EST.

Register here

This is a pre-registered monthly program. Registration was closed in November 2024. 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.

Phimmasone Owens of the University of Michigan and Founder of Refugee Garden Initiatives presents Cultivating Connection: Refugee Stories and the Transformative Power of Gardening.

Gardeners understand the deep connection between tending the land and nurturing the soul. In this presentation, Phimmasone will share her journey as a refugee and how the upheaval of displacement led her to create Refugee Garden Initiatives (RGI). Phimmasone will explore how reconnecting to the land provides healing, fosters resilience, and rebuilds a sense of home for refugees who have lost so much. Together, we’ll reflect on how gardening can be more than a hobby—it can be a bridge that brings people and cultures together, fostering understanding and cultivating community one seed at a time.

The annual fund-raising plant sale hosted by NMMGA members is at the Emmet County Fairground in Petoskey. There will be garden plants and house plants. Come learn from the master gardeners that grew the plants. Gardening tools and supples will be available. All plants and gardening items are priced reasonably. Our goal is to support others to garden using science-based approaches. We aim to support the beauty and bounty of your garden! Volunteers are asked to arrive at 8:30 am and the doors to the big barn will be opened at 9 am.

Bring plants to the T-Barn today or tomorrow. Bring items to sell in the “yard sale” area. Donate anything related to gardening such as tools, yard art, pots for house plants, and bird feeders.

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival JUNE 6 - 15, 2025 THEME: Mackinac Island is COOL

The Mackinac Island Lilac Festival is the largest and most historic festival on Mackinac Island. It’s 10 days celebrating the lilacs and their uniqueness and history to Mackinac Island. Join us for the Lilac Queen coronation, official poster reveal, 10K Run/Walk, lilac walking tours, lilac planting seminars, bounce houses, Michigan Cornhole tournament, live music, the Grand Parade, and more! Photo Credit: NMMGA

Bring plants to the T-Barn today or tomorrow. Bring items to sell in the “yard sale” area. Donate anything related to gardening such as tools, yard art, pots for house plants, and bird feeders.

The native plants are ready to go home! The Otsego Conservation District Native Plant Nursery at 459 Livingston Blvd, Gaylord, MI is ready to sell their plants!

Choose from more than 30 species of native flowers and grasses for your property. These plugs and quarts are great for anything from landscaping to restoration projects on your property.

Plug (2”x 2” x 4”) $3.00
Quart (3” x 3” x 6”) $5.00
Full Tray (single or mixed species, 16 quarts) $75.00
Full Tray (single or mixed species, 36 plugs ) $85.00
Full Tray (when purchasing 5 or more trays of same species of plugs) $65.00

Pre-ordering is available through our online store or give us call at (989)732-4021.

On Thursday, May 29 at 7:00pm, the MMGA will be hosting a talk titled, Composting with Organic Matter & The Hidden World Beneath Our Feet by our awesome member, Lisa Perschke.
 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 (one) EMG education hour. The webinar will be recorded and posted to the MMGA YouTube channel. for viewing if unable to attend the live presentation.
 
Live Presentation Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89639400022?pwd=uLIQXnCwdci7uc31ipetSalTByMCHU.1

It's strawberry season. Explore how to can, freeze and make jam with this popular fruit. Preserve your strawberries now to enjoy all year long.

Join the MSU Extension Food Safety Team to learn the latest methods and research for preserving foods at home. Let us help you fill your pantry and freezer by preserving food safely. Join online via Zoom using your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or any device with internet access. 

These FREE online classes are offered from 1-2 p.m. or from 6-7 p.m. EST.

Register here

North Central Michigan College presents Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals. Sierra will lead a walk in the woods to learn about wild plants and their properties. This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more.  Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather.

Cost: $30 To register click here.

Location: NCMC Nature Area which is found behind the college at the end of Howard Street

About Sierra LaRose: Growing up in Northern Michigan, Sierra LaRose spent most of her youth in nature exploring, building, tasting and smelling. She developed a deep relationship with the wild and it's many dwellers and by age seven she was determined to move into the forest full time. At sixteen she finally found a way and finished high school a year early to move out into the subtropical forest of Kauai, Hawaii where she spent the majority of the next four years. Every day living out there was truly human for Sierra. Gathering wood and water, plants for food and medicine, and greeting other feral beings were daily events. Sierra's passion for plants and herbalism deepened as she lived closely with the land and learned indigenous ways. Over the years She volunteered on farms and in botanical gardens, and read every plant book she could get her hands on. In 2012 after the birth of her son, Sierra moved back to her home of Northern Michigan and knew it was her destiny to pursue a life in herbal medicine. While starting an eco-friendly cleaning business and working full time cleaning houses, Sierra worked hard to pursue her true passion. She became a certified herbalist and started to develop a product line. By 2015 she transitioned fully from house cleaning to attending five farmers markets a week. Sierra now teaches classes, holds workshops, experiments with techniques in growing and harvesting herbs, develops herbal products, and spreads the word to everyone and anyone willing to learn, hoping to ignite the same passion in others and keep the ancient tradition of herbalism alive.

This work session is cancelled.

The next work session is June 17.

Questions? Call/text Linda at 231-838-1273

Plan on shopping at wonderful annual plant sale at the Ferry Beach Park in Charlevoix. A large selection of perennials, annuals, ferns and grasses will be for sale. Garden gloves and tools you may need to tend to your garden will be sold at the sale. This event is a fund raiser to support maintenance of nine civic gardens and other community garden projects in Charlevoix.

Location: Ferry Beach Park, 224 Ferry Avenue, Charlevoix Map

Join members for a morning work session at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. Today’s work will focus on refreshing the mulch in the gardens.

Location: 1129 Charlevoix Ave. (U.S. 31 S) Petoskey, MI  49770. Closest major intersection is U.S. 31 and U.S. 131 North. Use the entrance off Eppler Road.

Questions? Call/text Linda at 231-838-1273

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

Just a few miles from downtown Harbor Springs, the Offield Family Preserve has become a favorite community destination for wildflower viewing, hiking, dog walking (on leash), and nature classes. A mix of open meadows and forested hilly woods are found. Seasonal ponds are known as vernal pools and are especially common in spring and fall.

Join Brad Van Blon, of the Little Traverse Conservancy, on a walk through the preserve identifying and appreciating the beauty and importance of different wildflower species. 

Cost-FREE

Location: Offield Family Preserve Parking Area on 515 Quick Rd., Harbor Springs

Register here.

Join us for a peaceful hike at one of our favorite spots to look for spring wildflowers (aka spring ephemerals). Spring ephemeral flowers are short-lived, blooming after the snow melts but before trees and shrubs leaf out. In a matter of only a few short weeks, they bloom, photosynthesize, reproduce, and enter dormancy. Guided by CAKE CISMA Coordinator Katie Gray, we'll unravel the life cycle of these ephemeral beauties, from their brief but spectacular bloom to their crucial role as early-season pollinators for native insects. Learn about their fascinating adaptations, ecological significance, and the role they play in the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems. This hike is suitable for all ages but includes uneven, hilly terrain and may include muddy sections of the trail. If anyone in your party requires special accommodations, such as an interpreter, wheelchair-accessible seating, etc., please contact CAKE CISMA at least three weeks before the event that you plan on attending.

What should I bring?  Consider bringing your camera or binoculars. Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance

Location: Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area , 3169 Eckhardt Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615 For directions to this site from your location click here

To register for this free event click here.

Learn how to evaluate your soil with this hands-on workshop at the Otsego Conservation District. Christina Currell, a Soil Health Educator with MSU Extension will be going over tests you can do in your backyard to learn about your soil, important aspects of soil health and how to understand them.

• Lunch will be provided

• Dress for extended time outside

• Be prepared to work with soil

• *Space is limited*

  Registration Due May 1stRegistration is $30.00 per person

  Location: Otsego Nature Center, 459 Livingston Blvd, Gaylord, MI 49735

The Grand Traverse County Conservation District Native Plant Sale is a one day first-come, first-served event, which will be held in May each year. This year’s Native Plant Sale will take place outdoors at the Boardman River Nature Center, and features over 70 species of Michigan native flowers, ferns, and grasses!

Plants are available individually in quarts (or in some cases, gallons or single-species flats). All plants are Michigan-grown and organic, and ready to go in the ground as soon as you pick them up. To see the list of flowers, grasses, rushes, sedges, and shrubs click here.

Location: 1450 Cass Rd. Traverse City, MI 49685 (1.5 miles south of South Airport Road)

Sale will be held OUTDOORS at the Boardman River Nature Center – dress for the weather.

• A limited number of shoppers will be allowed in the "plant tent" at a time. To facilitate faster, easier shopping, plant experts and plant signs (with photos and information) will be stationed outside the tent. You can also explore our all-native gardens and signage to consider plants as you wait your turn.

• Because of the outdoor venue and uneven ground, we will not be able to provide carts, though we will have boxes as usual. We encourage shoppers to bring wagons if they anticipate a large order.

3-day plant sale starts today at 7354 Horton Bay Road, Boyne City. The team at Lavender Hill Farm will help you select the best lavender varieties for your garden during their plant sale. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our knowledgeable team will be on hand to guide you in selecting the best lavender varieties for your home, garden, and yard. Don’t miss out on this chance to start your spring gardening on a high note. Mark your calendars and join us at Lavender Hill Farm for a day of inspiration and exploration!

The 2025 Annual Lavender Plant Sale will take place from 10am – 5pm

May 16, 2025 – May 18, 2025, at Lavender Hill Farm.

This event is open to all plant enthusiasts. Lavender Hill Farm is FREE to visit, and no pre-registration is required.

2025 lavender plug pricing to be announced.

Lavender variety quantities are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Pricing is subject to change. Limit 100 lavender plugs per customer. Plants are non-refundable. We are not able to ship plants. No holds, no reservations.

These presentations will be held at the Boyne District Library. The program is co-hosted by the Friends of the Boyne River and The Boyne DistrictLibrary.
ORVs in the Jordan Valley
Melissa Zelenak, Executive Director, Antrim Conservation District. Melissa will share an update on the controversial possible permitting of ORVs in the Jordan River Valley.
Invasive Plant Species
Katie Gray, CAKE CISMA. Katie, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Emmet (CAKE) Cooperative invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)team, will talk about identifying invasive plant species and what to do about them. Bring your questions. 

Location: Lower level community room. You may enter from the parking lot. Boyne District Library, 201 East Main Street, Boyne City, MI

This is a pre-registered monthly program. Registration was closed in November 2024. 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.

Marianna Szucs, MSU Associate Professor, Department of Entomolofy presents: The Devil Devastating Your Lillies. Michigan is currently on the front lines of the scarlet lily beetle invasion, which began in Massachusetts in 1992 and spread to Ontario in 1993. A successful biological control program in Canada and New England introduced three parasitoid species that lay eggs in lily beetle larvae, effectively managing this destructive pest. This presentation will cover the biology and life cycle of the scarlet lily beetle, its preference for specific lily varieties, and the ongoing efforts to introduce these biocontrol parasitoids to Michigan to combat the infestation.

Join members for the spring clean up at the first work session of the season at the Emmet County Fairgrounds. Bring gloves, trowel, and clippers. All sessions this season will be on Tuesday mornings.

Location: 1129 Charlevoix Ave. (U.S. 31 S) Petoskey, MI  49770. Closest major intersection is U.S. 31 and U.S. 131 North. Use the entrance off Eppler Road.

Questions? Call/text Linda at 231-838-1273

Mother’s Day Spring Flora Walk, Noon, LTC Chaboiganing Nature Preserve in Brutus, MI 49716. Join Amy Lipson, Conservation Specialist, for a relaxing walk. The beauty of spring is sure to greet you as you meander through the preserve. This will be a slow walk, taking in everything the rebirth of spring has to offer. 

Directions: 10251 Brutus Road, Brutus, MI 49716 - Take US-31 north from Alanson 3.5 miles to Brutus Road. Turn right (east) and travel 4 miles on Brutus Road. The parking lot for the Chaboiganing Preserve is across from the old Burt Lake Market. Indian Point Forest is located on the first road on the right past the preserve. The trailhead/entrance is ¼ mile east on Indian Point Road.

To register: https://landtrust.org/events-template/mothers-day-walk/

In-person class with Kim Seelinger is held at Northern Central Michigan College, Petoskey, MI. Container gardening can create beautiful green spaces and bursts of color for non-traditional yards, balconies, patios and decks. Pots of trees, shrubs and plants can easily be combined to add appeal in yard areas with poor soil conditions or in dull spaces. In this class we’ll discuss creativity in selecting appropriate plants for your conditions and choosing suitable yet fun containers.

We’ll also discuss leveraging leaf color and texture as well as thoughtful color selection for maximum show & to meet your specific situation, and we’ll take a look at how plant height and layering can help you create maximum curb appeal. We’ll discuss some of the best and worst performers for pots based on real-world experience, and get you ready to make smart choices before you buy & plant this spring.

The course is $40. Register here.

About the instructor: Kim Seelinger is a Master Gardener, certified through Michigan State University in 2002. Kim has worked in several retail greenhouses and has developed and maintained many public and private gardens. She also does some residential landscape design, consulting & maintenance. Her specialty is creating layered landscapes for multi-season interest, using leaf color and texture to create drama. Kim is also an avid skier and cyclist. She spends time skiing in the mountains every winter and is a certified ski instructor. She also spends many hours on her bike in northern Michigan in the summertime. However, “Gardening is my passion—I love getting my hands dirty, and I truly believe that an hour in the garden puts life’s problems in perspective.”

Offield Family Viewlands, 9am – 2 pm. Join LTC staff and others for a day of trail maintenance. We will be clearing trails, weeding flower beds, fixing fences, and more. Meet at the work barn uphill from the clubhouse, and join us for an hour or more. Your choice – there are many tasks to choose from. This is an approved Extension Master Gardener Project.

Register : https://landtrust.org/events-template/spring-work-bee/

Offield Family Viewlands Working Forest Reserve is at 995 Hideaway Valley Dr, Harbor Springs, MI

Bring water and a pack to carry it, good walking shoes, and work gloves if you have them.  Please dress for the weather; sunscreen and/or a hat are suggested. Tools, snacks, and extra water will be provided. If you have fun with this type of project, we invite you to join the Friends of the Viewlands volunteer group and help with maintenance tasks throughout the year. Email cacia@landtrust.org for more information.

Kim Seelinger returns to North Central Michigan College for a spring class on shade gardens. A shade garden can be a tranquil retreat. To help you create a visually appealing and peaceful outdoor sanctuary, we will discuss thoughtful design and plan creation. We’ll also talk about the importance of foundation plantings with a focus on height, layering, color and texture for shade plants specifically. We’ll discuss mulching techniques as well as weed & pest management, and we’ll take a look at some exciting new shade plants to incorporate into your shade garden this year.

Cost: $40

Location: North Central Community College Health & Science Building, Room 333

Register here.

Join us and the Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy for a peaceful hike at one of our favorite spots to look for spring wildflowers (aka spring ephemerals). Spring ephemeral flowers are short-lived, blooming after the snow melts but before trees and shrubs leaf out. In a matter of only a few short weeks, they bloom, photosynthesize, reproduce, and enter dormancy. Guided by CAKE CISMA Coordinator Katie Gray, we'll unravel the life cycle of these ephemeral beauties, from their brief but spectacular bloom to their crucial role as early-season pollinators for native insects. Learn about their fascinating adaptations, ecological significance, and the role they play in the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems. This hike is suitable for all ages but includes uneven, hilly terrain and may include muddy sections of the trail. If anyone in your party requires special accommodations, such as an interpreter, wheelchair-accessible seating, etc., please contact CAKE CISMA at least three weeks before the event that you plan on attending.

What should I bring?  Consider bringing your camera or binoculars. Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort

Location: Fields Preserve, 4175 Resort Pike Rd, Petoskey, MI 49770 To get directions from your location to this hiking spot click here.

Register for this hike by clicking here.

This Fruit Tree Presentation/Workshop is led by Steve Fouch, area Fruit Tree Specialist and owner of L&S Tree Care & Nursery. The presentation and demonstration of the maintenance of established fruit trees and pruning care will be an outdoor learning experience. A practical experience with pruning will be offered to participants. Dress for the weather.

Location of workshop: 1505 Click Road, Petoskey

Cost: $25 per person Register here

Photo credit: Karen KIm

Otsego County Conservation District Tree Sale Pickup – walk-ins welcome, 800 Livingston Boulevard, Gaylord. Conifers, hardwoods, wildlife shrubs, fruit trees, and native ground covers will be sold. Related gardening items are also sold. This is a 2-day sale. Sale continues through May 3 at 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. For more info: http://www.otsegocd.org/tree-sale.html