Melinda Myers 

Melinda is a nationally recognized gardening expert who has authored over 20 gardening books. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on over 115 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S.  She’s a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Melinda has over 30 years of horticulture experience, is a certified arborist, has a master’s degree in horticulture, and was a tenured horticulture  professor.

Gardening renovations KenoshaMG23

Small changes can make a big difference in the health and beauty of your landscape. Melinda will cover common landscape mistakes and challenges and provide affordable and attractive solutions you can put to work in your garden. She will cover everything from plant maintenance, garden accents, planting strategies and of course a few structures and hardscape options.

 Diane Blazek

Diane has been deeply immersed in gardening from an early age. Growing up on a family farm in MO, she helped grow and harvest a wide range of vegetables, herbs and flowers. During her 15 years with Ball Publishing, Diane played an important role in bringing the commercial and consumer areas of horticulture close together. Since 2010, Diane has been the Executive Director of  All– America Selections (AAS) and National Garden Bureau.

2023 Goodness of Gardening handout

Why are gardeners some of the happiest people on earth? Why does therapeutic gardening exist? Why did 18 million new gardeners pop up during the pandemic? Why do health professionals (and authors and therapists and…you get the picture) suggest getting outdoors and into the garden? Learn the answers to these questions and other affirming reasons as to why we are all into this hobby that might be considered work to some but has a multitude of fantastic reasons to begin or continue in this labor of love. 

Plants for Problem Areas KenoshaMG23doc

Selecting the right plant for the location is not as easy as it seems. We’ll look at plants that will tolerate extremes of moisture, drought, poor soil, sun and shade. Melinda will recommend a variety of plants tolerant of the difficult situations in your garden location.

2023.03 AAS Winning Vegtables – Wisconsin handout

North America’s oldest independent plant testing organization, All-America Selections, trials the latest new varieties at multiple trial where professional horticulturists judge entries based on garden performance. You will get to learn even more about how these trials are conducted as well as which recently announced new varieties you will want to try in your own garden. Don’t come hungry or else we will hear your stomach growling as you yearn for the fresh produce of summer!