Master Gardeners are individuals who are passionate about gardening. We are part of a vast international non-profit Master Gardener organization. Master Gardeners are a respected group of horticultural persons educated and certified through accredited universities or colleges.
Mission Statement:
The Manitoba Master Gardener Association (MMGA) cultivates the development and continuous education of Master Gardeners, supports volunteerism and encourages sustainable, proven gardening practices throughout Manitoba.
The Manitoba Master Gardener Association (MMGA) is an independent organization and has no affiliation with other Manitoba garden clubs which are listed under the banner.
Resources- Garden Club News
Invasive Ornamental Plants:
What Home Gardeners and Professionals Need to Know
Panel Presentation with Q & A
Saturday, April 1, 2023, 12:30-3:00 pm
Canadian Mennonite University, South Campus Lecture Hall D30
Cost: $5.00 (cash only please), free to MMGA members
Gardeners are often surprised to learn that the global trade in ornamental nursery stock is a major pathway for the introduction of invasive plants worldwide. These invasive plants do harm to the economy, the environment, and public health. Come and learn about ornamental invasive plants, gaps in the current regulatory process, and models for change.
1. Invasive Ornamental Plants: Prevention is Key
Cathy Kavassalis, Ontario Master Gardeners and co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR)
2. What You Can Do to Prevent the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Plants
Andrea Eastham, Professional Agrologist (retired) and plant science consultant, Calgary
3. Strategies for Management and Control of Invasive Plants in Manitoba
Kristin Pingatore, Weed Control Supervisor, Selkirk Area Weed Control District
Speakers:
Cathy Kavassalis is co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR.ca), which evolved from her work with Master Gardeners of Ontario (MGOI). With a background in science education, she has worked with horticultural societies, other nonprofit groups, local governments, and the Royal Botanical Gardens to increase public awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the need to safeguard native flora from invasive species.
Andrea Eastham is a Professional Agrologist, Retired Status, who moved to Calgary in 2017. She continues to work on plant science projects including initiatives for the Canadian Council on Invasive Species (CCIS), the Alberta Invasive Species Council (AISC), and the BC Provincial Government.
Kristin Pingatore is a Manitoban with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba. She worked as a mapping assistant for two years for the Invasive Species Council of Manitoba. Kristin is currently the Weed Control Supervisor for the Selkirk Area Weed Control District, running the IPM program for the district and responding to residents’ concerns about weeds.
“Gardening in the Heart” – season 2 has been nominated for an award at the Yorkton Film Festival.
You can watch one of the series here – or on FibeTV1 if you are a Bell cable subscriber.
For the other videos in the series scroll down.
Save the date!
Ticket passports coming soon at local retailers.
PayPal Ticket Purchase – On receipt of your payment an email with your downloadable pdf ticket attachment will be sent to you within 48 hours. (an 88 cents transaction fee has been added)
Purchase tickets through PayPal:
Members Presenting in our Communities!
Debbie & Stu Innes: Albrin Park – Nature Manitoba
Earl Grey Community Club, 360 Cockburn St. North
Monday, April 3, 2023 – 7:30pm
Visit Us at our Information Table!
Our Members presenting at the Living Green Event
Lori Graham: Composting
Friday, April 7 – 5:15pm
Florence Carey: Growing a Tea Garden
Saturday, April 8 – 3:15pm
Debbie Innes: Seed Starting
Sunday, April 9 – 1:00pm
Virginia Stephenson: My Gardening is for the Birds
Sunday, April 9 – 3:00pm
Linda Dietrick: “Gardening in the shade, with some additional info on Manitoba plants”
April 18, 8 pm
Selkirk & District Hort. Society
Selkirk United Church Hall, 202 McLean Ave
Kim Sysa: Container Gardening
April 18/23 – 10:00am
Great Expectaions
Sandy Venton – All About Martagons!
April 19/23 – 7:00pm
Brandon Garden Club
Lady of the Lake, 135B 17th St. North, Brandon MB
Linda Dietrick – Best Native Plants for your Garden
April 22/23 – 1:30pm
St. Andrews Heritage Centre
Jeannette Adams – Container Gardening
May 17/23 – 10:00am
Park City Commons
Nadine Kampen – Best Perennials for Succession Blooms
May 17/23 – 7:00pm
Transcona Garden Club
Melanie Stuve – Creating and Maintaining Perennials
May 17/23 – 10:00am
National Association of Federal Retirees Gardens
Jane Zoutman – Planting for Pollinators
May 27/23 – 1:30pm
St. Andrews Heritage Centre
Colleen Zacharias – Hydrangeas
September 20/23 – 7pm
Brandon Garden Club
Lady of the Lake, 135B 17th St. North, Brandon, MB
Please refer to our Events Calendar for more details!
Click Here
Register Now: Click Here
Chat with the Gardeners – viewable now!
Lourdes Still and Raymond Ngarboui – An International Perspective
Lisa Renner and Derek Yarnell – The Naturalized Urban Gardeners
Wilbert Ronald and Philip Ronald – The Horticultural Influencers
Gardening in the Heart – Season 2
Wilbert Ronald – The Plant Makers
Philip Ronald – Growing Fruit on the Prairies
Lourdes Still – Masagana Flower Farm
Raymond Ngarboui – Land in Canada
Derek Yarnell – More Butterflies Please
Thank you to Colleen Zacharias for featuring the Gardening in the Heart season 2 in the Winnipeg Free Press! Read Here
Gardening in the Heart Season 1 can be viewed below.
Look for our New Signs in the Community!
These are Projects where we Volunteer
Gardening in the Heart Season 1
a 6-part video series of private Manitoba gardens
Lisa Renner – Designing a Garden Naturally
John Tinkler – A Designer’s Garden
Colleen Zacharias – A Gardening Workshop
Linda Cameron – A Scientist in Her Garden
Diana Dhaliwal – At Home in the Prairies
Millennium Gardens – A Garden for a Community
Bell MTS subscribers available on FIBE TV1 Channel 1 and 1001 Lifestyles folder!
A big thank you to Colleen Zacharias for this Winnipeg Free Press article highlighting the journey to producing these films: Click HereMaster Gardeners and Master Gardener Interns
Association members: access volunteer opportunities on the Volunteer Impact page which are added frequently. Click here for the direct links.
Book Sale!
Perfect for a gift for any gardener or yourself!
$10.00 plus shipping if required
Retail is $24.95
Garden pests are a part of the life of every gardener. If you want to learn more how to deal with them in an environmentally friendly way then this is the book for you. Gardening, Naturally – By Hugh Skinner and Sara Williams.
The MMGA is offering the book, published by Coteau Books, Regina in 2011, for $10.00/copy, plus shipping cost. It is being made available to members of the MMGA and the general public.
To place your order e-mail: volunteers@mgmanitoba.com
Please specify your preference for pick-up or mail delivery. You will receive payment information upon receipt of your order.
Gardening Naturally – Book Review
By Liz Sellors, Master Gardener
Gardening, Naturally is a chemical-free handbook for the prairie gardener, co-authored by Hugh Skinner and Sara Williams. The book was written in 2011 and was published by Coteau Books of Regina, Saskatchewan. Gardening Naturally is a well written and easy-to-use guide specifically intended for Canadian prairie gardeners who are interested in effective ways of eradicating pests and diseases from the garden without resorting to chemicals. The book addresses alternatives to the use of chemical pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Chemical products intended for use by gardeners were developed in the late 1940’s. Until that time solutions for addressing pests and diseases in the garden were largely based on folk wisdom, much of which began to be lost once chemicals were introduced. But, over the last few decades, environmental movements have once again looked to natural ways of dealing with garden pests and diseases. With the move to green solutions, scientifically based alternatives have begun to emerge and are gaining notice. It was the emerging interest in alternatives to chemicals for the garden that was the inspiration behind Gardening, Naturally.
The over-arching theme of this well-laid-out, well-illustrated book of alternatives to chemical use in the garden addresses the fundamentals of maintaining a healthy garden through natural means. The book first examines the history of controlling pests and diseases in the garden, starting with a look at the use of organic solutions that had been developed over centuries, and how they began to be replaced by the successful marketing campaigns of the companies producing chemical solutions for gardeners. The promotion of the idea that chemicals were the answer to the perfect garden was in reality a concept that ensured repeat business by making plants dependent on chemicals. The result was unimaginable harm. Gardening, Naturally points the way to a return to dealing with garden issues organically.
Through the use of alternatives to insecticides, herbicides and pesticides, the book demonstrates how to ensure that the basic needs of plants are met. The book is well researched and scientifically based. It not only looks at how to work with natural products, but also addresses why change is crucial. It looks at the importance of changing our attitude toward insects; the importance of identifying of insects and why their survival is crucial to human survival. It looks at essential garden practices like soil testing, water conservation, effective organic lawn care and weed control. It looks at growing food successfully without chemicals and recommends the best vegetables to grow in the prairie garden. Other sections are devoted to flowers, bulbs, and vines suitable for the prairies. It also includes a comprehensive section on trees and shrubs for the prairie gardener.
Support our Local Manitoba Greenhouses!
A very special “Thank You” to local garden centres who generously give members of our Manitoba Master Gardener Association a 10% discount on regularly priced plants and garden merchandise. As Master Gardeners let’s give local garden centres our support and keep them in business. Let them know how much we appreciate them, their plants and their expertise. Remember this is a mutually beneficial relationship! Here are the names of participating 10% off donors:
Alternative Landscaping Ltd., 34th St. & Patricia Ave., Brandon, MB www.alternativelandscapingltd.com
Green Oak Gardens, Beausejour, MB – https://www.greenoak.ca/
Jardins St-Leon Gardens, 419 St. Mary’s Rd.,Wpg. – www.stleongardens.com
Jensen’s Nursery & Garden Centre, 2550 McGillivray Blvd., Wpg. – http://www.jensennursery.com/
Lacoste Garden Centre, 2787 St. Mary’s Rd., Wpg. – www.lacostegardencentre.com
Red Valley Plant Market, 3091 St. Mary’s Rd., Wpg. – www.redvalley.ca
Ron Paul Garden Centre, Winnipeg – www.ronpaulgardencentre.com
Sage Gardens Greenhouses, 3410 St. Mary’s Rd., Wpg. – www.sagegarden.ca
Schriemer’s Greenhouse, 2857 McGregor Farm Rd., Birds Hill – www.schriemers.com
Shelmerdine Nursery & Garden Centre, 7800 Roblin Blvd., Headingley, MB – www.shelmerdine.com
St. Mary’s Nursery & Garden Centre, 2901 St. Mary’s Rd., Wpg. – www.stmarysnurseryandgardencentre.com
The Green Spot, 139 Rosser Ave., E., Brandon – www.greenspotbrandon.com
T&T Seeds – 7724 Roblin Blvd., Headingley, MB – https://ttseeds.com/
To all Manitoba Garden/Horticultural or Garden related organizations!!
This website is a great opportunity for your organization to post or advertise meeting schedules or events on our Resources section under Garden Club News. To submit please send your information to: mndudek@mgmanitoba.com We look forward to helping you advertise your event.
For all inquiries contact ask@mgmanitoba.com
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardening Saturday – Grand Forks, North Dakota 8:00 am Invasive Ornamental Plants: What Home Gardeners and Professionals Need to Know 12:30 pm Invasive Ornamental Plants: What Home Gardeners and Professionals Need to Know @ Canadian Mennonite University, South Campus Lecture Hall D30 Apr 1 @ 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm  Manitoba Master Gardener Association hosts a Panel Presentation and Q&A Canadian Mennonite University, South Campus Lecture Hall D30 Cost: $5.00 (cash only please), free to MMGA members Gardeners are often surprised to learn that the global trade in … | ||||||
| Albrin Park – Nature Manitoba Presentation 7:30 pm Albrin Park – Nature Manitoba Presentation @ Earl Grey Community Club Apr 3 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm  Stu and Debbie Innes, Master Gardener, will review lessons learned in establishing and maintaining gardens in Albrin Park including plant selection, maintenance, and getting others involved. More recent projects will be discussed including a native tall grass … | Living Green Show 12:00 pm Living Green Show @ Red River Exhibition Place Apr 7 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm  Come visit our Manitoba Master Gardener Association Information Table! Our member presenting: Lori Graham: Composting – 5:15pm Coming this spring: Winnipeg’s only show dedicated to the love of gardening! Embrace a greener lifestyle and get a jumpstart on … | Living Green Show 12:00 pm Living Green Show @ Red River Exhibition Place Apr 8 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm Come visit our Manitoba Master Gardener Association Information Table! Member Presenting: Florence Carey: Growing a Tea Garden – 3:15pm Coming this spring: Winnipeg’s only show dedicated to the love of gardening! Embrace a greener lifestyle and get a … | ||||
| Living Green Show 12:00 pm Living Green Show @ Red River Exhibition Place Apr 9 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Visit our Manitoba Master Gardener Association Information Table! Member Presenting: Debbie Innes: Seed Starting – 1:00pm Virginia Stephenson: My Gardening is for the Birds – 3:00pm Coming this spring: Winnipeg’s only show dedicated to the love of … | Vertical Gardening – Charleswood Garden Club 7:30 pm Vertical Gardening – Charleswood Garden Club Apr 12 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Mick Manfield, will present on Vertical Gardening and will cover how plants grow vertically, what annuals and perennials you can grow in our zone, what methods are used to support them and an overview of how to espalier, … | |||||
| Container Gardening Great Expectations 10:00 am Container Gardening Great Expectations Apr 18 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am Our member Kim Sysa will be presenting on gardening in containers. More info coming. Gardening in the Shade 8:00 pm Gardening in the Shade @ Selkirk United Church Hall Apr 18 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm Linda Dietrick, Master Gardener, presents on “Gardening in the shade, with some additional info on Manitoba plants”. | All About Martagons 7:00 pm All About Martagons @ Lady of the Lake Apr 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm  Sandy Venton, Master Gardener will share her knowledge and expertise about Martagons. | Best Native Plants for your Garden 1:30 pm Best Native Plants for your Garden @ St. Andrew's Heritage Centre Apr 22 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm  Linda Dietrick, Master Gardener, will present on native plants. You will learn which are best to grow in our gardens and the benefits of growing them. | ||||
