Appearances

February 6, 2012

9:00-10:15 - Small Spaces with Great Impact - We'll explore creating an outdoor living space. Whether you’re looking for a small space landscape or a small garden within a large landscape, it all starts with a plan.  Recommended plants for four-season interest and those that attract wildlife will be covered.  Also, we'll discuss creating seasonal changes, doubling up plantings and going vertical to get the greatest impact in space gardens.

10:30-11:30 - Plants for Difficult Situations - Increase your landscape beauty, decrease your workload and also save money by matching the right plants to the difficult growing conditions. You’ll be surprised at how many choices are available. Plus, planting and maintenance tips to help increase your success!

Best Western Ramkota Inn, 2400 Louise Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD

Thursday, Feb. 9 at 3:30 p.m. & Friday, Feb. 10 at 1:00 p.m.

Small Space Gardens – Simple ideas for packing a lot of garden into a small space or creating an intimate garden within a large lot.   Tips and techniques for designing and maintaining gardens with year round interest in every layer from the ground to the roofline.   General concepts and specific plants suited to this region will be covered.

Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park     

For more information click here

Melinda’s presentations are brought to you by

Feb. 11 @ 5:45 p.m. - Garden Renovations for Any Size Landscape - Affordable & Attractive Solutions to Enhance Any Garden

Feb. 12 @ 9:30 a.m. - Vegetable Gardening Success - Bountiful Gardens with Little Time, Space & Budget

Washington State Convention Center
Seattle, WA

For more information click here

Feb. 18, 2012

Join me as I present “Small Space Gardens: Creating a Private Space”

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, 4351 17th Avenue South, Fargo, ND

For more information, visit http://greenthumbexpo.com/

Feb. 23-26, 2012

Join me as I present “Small Space Gardens,” “Ten Easy, Green and Growing Ideas,” and “Creative Containers”.

Here are my presentation times:

2/23:   12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm

2/24:   12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm

2/24:   12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 6:30 pm

2/25:   12:30 pm, 2:30 pm

America’s Center, 701 Convention Plaza
St. Louis, MO 63101

For more information, click here

Feb. 29-March 1, 2012

Melinda’s presentations are sponsored 

Stop by and see me as I present:


Wednesday, February 29  (Birds & Blooms Day!)

11:30 a.m. - Creative Container Gardens

2:30 p.m.  - Create a Colorful Garden filled with Birds, Butterflies and Blossoms

Thursday, March 1 

11:30 a.m. - Create a Colorful Garden filled with Birds, Butterflies and Blossoms

The Park Expo & Conference Center, 2500 E. Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, NC

For more information click here

March 3, 2012

Join me as I present:

9:15 am -"Small Space Gardens”

1:15 pm -  “The Good, Bad and Ugly"  - Managing pests in the garden can be easier than you think.  I will share tips for reducing plant damage, controlling weeds and managing diseases while being kind to the environment.  Everything from identifying the good and bad bugs to controlling powdery mildew and managing weeds. Fun and effective solutions will be discussed.

Boise Centre on the Grove 
850 W. Front Street
Boise, Idaho 83702

For more information visit www.idhort.com

Thanks to  for providing magazines for the show attendees!

March 8, 2012

Melinda's presentations are brought to you by  

Join me as I present:

11:30 am - Create your Own Tropical Paradise – I’ll share tips on creating and growing lush gardens in any climate.  We'll look at a wide range of tropical type plants like elephant ears, bananas, and cannas as well as hardy tropical look-a-likes.  I’ll also provide tips on growing and overwintering these beauties that aren't hardy in your climate. And all these ideas can be adapted to small space balconies and gardens or large landscapes.

4:00 pm - Colorful Spring Containers - Create your own bit of paradise in a pot.  Combine long blooming plants with bold foliage for a growing season filled with color. I will share tips on selection and care as well as ideas for including and decorating your balcony, deck, flower beds and landscapes with planters.

March 10, 2012

Be sure to join me as I present:

10:30 a.m. - "Growing Green - Environmentally Friendly Landscapes"

Location:  Ludlow Mansion, 1421 Mansion Dr., Monroe, WI 53566. The business name is Peppercorn Banquets & Catering, LLC. 608.325.1200

For more information click here

March 10, 2012

3:30-6 pm – Question & Answer Sesstion - Stop by and bring your gardening questions! I’d love to answer them. Plus, I’ll be sharing information on eco-friendly ways to keep your gardens healthy throughout the season!

Waukesha County Expo Center - 1000 Northview Rd. Waukesha, WI 53188

For more information click here

Back by popular demand, I'll partner for a third year with the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens to present a brand news series of garden walks in 2012. The “Discover Hidden Treasures” series will consist of six in-depth garden walks – four geared toward adults and two to families – and will take place January - October.

Proceeds from the garden walks support Children’s Plant Science and Environmental Education at Boerner Botanical Gardens.

Garden Walks (Adult)

$20 per class for members of the Friends of Boerner Botanical Gardens; $25 for non members.

May 16, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Discovering Solutions for Your Garden

Boerner’s varied plantings provide solutions to the many challenges faced by gardeners.  Join Melinda to visit shady spaces, rock gardens, hot sunny spots, and rain gardens.  You’ll be able to use these plants and planting strategies in your own backyard!

July 25, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Gardens of the Future

Visit one of only 43 All American Selection Trial Gardens in the United States.  Plus, we’ll tour the other test plots at Boerner’s trial gardens.  We’ll even explore some new plants being tested for Wisconsin and for introduction into the gardening world!

Oct. 20, 2012
10 a.m.

Fall Discovery

The end of another growing season uncovers lots of color, textures, and surprises to help us through the long winter. Join Melinda to explore these treasures throughout Boerner’s beautiful gardens! 

Family Fun Walks!

$30 per family (up to 4 individuals).

Oct. 20, 2012
1 p.m.
Family Fun Walk: Discover the Magic of Fall

Join Melinda for a scavenger hunt as you discover fall’s treasures! 

To register, call 414-525-5659. Class size is limited - so please register early.

The garden walks are sponsored by Kanavas Landscape Management,
Stein Gardens & Gifts, WE Energies and Aurora Health Care.

Official media sponsor – 99.1 The Mix