MASTER GARDENER 2026 EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS
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MASTER GARDENER 2026 EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS *
Meetings are Free & Open to the Public
Meetings start at 6:30 pm
Meetings are held at: Moraine Park, 700 Gould St., Beaver Dam, WI Room K120. Please use the K3 entrance.
2026 DCMGA Monthly Educational Program Schedule – PDF
Houseplants and Their Care
Come for a fun evening of houseplant bingo. As the plants are called, their care, different aspects, and characteristics will be given for the best home results.
Pressed Flowers
Pressed flowers is an ancient practice used in burial tombs, potpourri, to decorate Victorian homes, and in the 16th century, Japanese artists began the practice of Oshibana, in which they would create large pictures.
Annual Business Meeting
Association business, including presentation of certification cards, updates on all projects and introducing new ones for this year.
Small Home Fruit Orchards
Successful cultivation of apples, peaches, pears, and cherries hinges on informed decisions regarding variety selection, pest management, and site suitability. Each fruit species has unique climatic and soil requirements.
Native Grasses
Native grasses are a key element in native plant gardens. They provide structure, texture, color, and habitat. Discover native grasses suitable for different light and soil conditions.
Making A Leaf Casting
This meeting is restricted to Dodge County Master Gardener members and their invitees. Leaf castings are a wonderful way to add a natural element to the landscape.
Daylilies: How to Grow and Care for Them
Learn what a daylily is, how to grow them, and how to care for them to get the best blooms.
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Even a small water feature in the landscape can give new experiences with the amazing dragonfly and damselfly.
Bird Friendly Gardens
Learn how you can incorporate flowers and other plants native to Wisconsin into your landscaping to support and attract wildlife, especially birds.
Collecting and Processing Native Seeds
Learn where to find species to harvest, how to get permission to harvest, how to dry, process and screen seeds, and how to receive training.
Gardens in Bloom: Exploring Public Garden Tours across the Upper Midwest and around the world
Penny Seaver is an experienced Travel Advisor with a passion for curated experiences. She will be giving a presentation for a journey through some of the most enchanting public gardens in the Upper Midwest and across the world.
Exploring Invasive Species
Join invasive species expert Matt Wallrath at the Horicon Marsh, N7725 WI28, Horicon, to learn more about how Wisconsin regulates and manages invasive plants.
NOTE: The time of this meeting may be different from our regular meeting time.
Fantastic Bees and Where to Find Them
Pollinator gardening is on the rise as “wild” gardens have become a trend and gardeners have become eager to help build native ecosystems. Help pollinators thrive with native plants and continuous blooms
Helpful Hints for Vegetable Gardening
Take your vegetable gardening to the next level with practical and effective tips from UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Outreach Specialist Allen Pyle.
Annual Business Meeting
Association business, including presentation of certification cards, updates on all projects and introducing new ones for this year.
Kokedama
Kokedama is a Japanese gardening technique that involves growing plants in a ball of soil covered in moss and wrapped with string or twine
Tree Diversity
Tree diversity in the landscape is important to reducing disease and insect invaders. Historically the lack of diversity has had dramatic consequences
Project Year in Review
Project Year in Review by Dodge County Master Gardeners. A review of 2024 projects, complete with photos and discussion.
Gardening for Gold
Dodge County Master Gardener Association will host four dynamic speakers in a day-long event at the Horicon Marsh Educational Center on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Registration is required by October 18th and seating is limited. Open to the public
Minor Small Fruits---Major Impact by Carol Shirk
Get up-to-date information on current and emerging disease for the home orchard.
First Aid for Gardeners by Marshfield Medical Staff
Find out what is needed for a gardener’s first aid kit as well as instructions for treating minor cuts and abrasions.
Frogs, Snakes, and Other Garden Friends by Rori Paloski
You can help scientists monitor herp populations and protect them from threats like roads, predators, and habitat loss.
Tour of the West Madison Agricultural Research Display Gardens by Janet Hedtcke
Tour of West Madison Ag Research Station. The land is used by UW campus researchers , and is a training ground for many.
Tick Talks by Olivia Kovacs
The inside scoop on ticks and other biting insects found in our woodlands.
Native Plants and Pollinators by Lisa Johnson
Learn about Wisconsin pollinators and what they need to thrive in your garden.
Annual Business Meeting (members only)
Association business, including presentation of certification cards, updates on all projects and new this year.
Growing Dahlias by Jeff and Monique Volden
Learn about starting, planting, summer care and digging and storing these stunning flowers.
Spring Ephemerals by Chris Jacobs
Although brief, ephemerals are our first glimpse of spring.
Gardening for Gold
Dodge County Master Gardener Association will host four dynamic speakers in a day-long event at the Horicon Marsh Educational Center on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Registration will be required in mid-October and seating is limited.
Winter Sowing: a Simple Way to Sow Seeds Outdoors by Becky Gutzman
Looking for a way to start your own seedlings without fussing with lights, watering, and transplanting? Winter sowing is a great way to start seeds, working with nature to sprout them at the right time, and grow them in natural light. It’s also a fun project to get some gardening done in the winter. Becky is a Columbia County Master Gardener and will share her experiences in winter sowing, including what containers to use and how to prepare them, how the process works, and tips for successful sowing and transplanting into the garden.
Pruning Trees and Shrubs by Tim Eilbes
Pruning is probably one of the most confusing landscape tasks for homeowners. Many people aren’t sure what to do or when to do it. However, proper pruning is essential for maintaining attractive and healthy trees and shrubs. The practice of pruning can be simplified through an understanding of the basic principles and techniques. Come learn the why, the when, and the types of pruning, including the removal cut, the reduction cut, the heading cut, and removal of dead material. Tim Eilbes is the co-owner of K & B Trees, Lawns and Landscaping serving the greater Dodge County community. Tim has a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from UW-Madison and is a state registered Landscape Architect who has been in the green industry for 19 years. He has 3 (busy) children with his wife Tammy.
Season Extenders by Johanna Oosterwyk
Wisconsin weather can be fickle and the growing season is never long enough. Learn about some tools and tips to take control of the
growing environment. Start your plants earlier, keep them thriving later and get more out of your garden all season long. Johanna Oosterwyk is the manager of the DC Smith Instructional Greenhouse at UW-Madison. She teaches classes in greenhouse management and plant care for the Department of Horticulture.
Service Meeting by Dodge County Master Gardener Volunteers
A project will be selected from either existing projects or one that is new for 2023. All members will meet to lend a helping hand for an organization such as a school, library, service organization, or community garden and we will work together for approximately an hour. We will also have a meal and a time of fellowship as we gather together for a time to encourage one another and our recipient. NOTE: The time of this meeting may be different from our regular meeting time.
Invasive Plants: In and Beyond Your Yard by Mark Renz
Invasive plants in landscaped settings can contribute to negative impacts far beyond our yards. Learn about new invasive plants to look for, strategies for managing invasive plants, and Landscape Alternatives resources that help you choose non-invasive plants for your yard. Mark Renz is a professor and extension weed specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Renz researches and extends information about the biology and management of invasive plants. He has over 20 years of experience with management of invasive plants throughout the United States.
Horticulture Therapy by Mike Maddox
“Gardening is my therapy” is often said by enthusiastic gardeners as we understand how plants assist with our own self-care. However, with
some well thought out steps and focused efforts, gardening can be used as a modality to improve health and well-being. This program introduces participants to key elements of horticultural therapy and the benefits it provides. Mike Maddox is a horticultural therapist-registered with over 20 years of gardening experience and educational programs with communities.
Annual Business Meeting (members only)
Association business, including presentation of certification cards, updates on all projects and new this year: a meal will be
provided as appreciation to our volunteers.