A Monarch butterfly alights on one of its favorite blossoms: milkweed. (Courtesy gardendelightsarts.com)
Bring your sandwich and sniff a hint of rich soil and blossoms during the LaPorte County Master Gardeners’ four lunchtime sessions: Jan. 21, Feb. 11, March 18, and April 15.
Each of these fun, relaxing sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m.; attend one or more! The fee is $5 for each or $15 for all four sessions. No need to pre-register; just show up.
Schedule, topics and locations:
— Wednesday, Jan. 21: “Attracting and Raising Monarch Butterflies,” Purdue Extension LaPorte County Office, 2857 W. Ind. 2, LaPorte.
— Wednesday, Feb. 11: “Pruning and Deadheading,” Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St., Michigan City.
— Wednesday, March 18: “Insect Management in the Vegetable Garden,” Purdue Extension LaPorte County Office, 2857 W. Ind. 2, LaPorte.
— Wednesday, April 15: “Learning to Grow (and Growing to Love) Herbs,” Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. 4th St., Michigan City.
More on Jan. 21 Monarch presentation
The Jan. 21 event will highlight the accomplishments of two avid gardeners/naturalists, Jan Koss and Barb Merten. Having raised and released 130 Monarch butterflies in 2014 in their backyard oasis, the duo will share tips and information on how to create a “waystation” for raising and releasing Monarch butterflies. They will focus on types of plants, equipment and housing needed to begin raising Monarchs. They received the 2014 Bring Nature Home Award from the Shirley Heinze Land Trust.
For more information about the Brown Bag series, call Purdue Extension LaPorte County at 219-324-9407 and download a flyer at www.extension.purdue.edu/laporte.
The LaPorte County Master Gardener Association, a Purdue Cooperative Extension Service program, helps fulfill the state motto of “Helping Others Grow” by training volunteers to promote good gardening and horticultural practices.