LAKE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ASSOCIATION INC. "Helping Others Grow"
HELPING OTHERS GROW—ONE PROGRAM AT A TIME
The Lake County Master Gardeners are committed to sharing horticultural knowledge with our community. From hands-on workshops to expert-led webinars, we offer educational opportunities for gardeners of all levels. Explore upcoming events, view past presentations, and discover resources to keep learning and growing—right here!
Educational opportunities
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
🌱 Trends in Horticulture: The Power of Plants & Changing Garden Design with Anna Ball
🌱 Trends in Horticulture: The Power of Plants & Changing Garden Design with Anna Ball
Missed the presentation? You can now watch the recording of this engaging Zoom program with internationally recognized garden writer and researcher Noel Kingsbury.
Why do some perennials fade after a season, while others persist or spread aggressively? Backed by overlooked Polish research from the 1960s and illustrated with both above- and below-ground images, Noel shares practical insights to help gardeners better understand how plants grow and behave over time.
🌱 Trends in Horticulture: The Power of Plants & Changing Garden Design with Anna Ball
🌱 Trends in Horticulture: The Power of Plants & Changing Garden Design with Anna Ball
🌱 Trends in Horticulture: The Power of Plants & Changing Garden Design with Anna Ball
📅 Monday, March 16, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Anna Ball, Chairman and CEO of Ball Horticultural Company and a recognized leader in the horticulture industry. In this presentation, Anna will explore emerging trends in horticulture and how the growing power of plants and evolving design ideas are shaping the future of gardens and landscapes.
Drawing on decades of experience in plant innovation and industry leadership, Anna will share insights into where gardening is headed and what these trends mean for home gardeners. She is a trustee of The Morton Arboretum and is widely respected for her influence on the future of plants and horticulture.
Purdue Extension – Lake County, Crown Point
🌷 All About Bulbs with Bryan McKay
🌱 Trends in Horticulture: The Power of Plants & Changing Garden Design with Anna Ball
🌿 Heirloom Vegetables with Dolly Foster
📅 Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Welcome spring with a beautiful, long-lasting garden! Join horticulturist Bryan McKay for an informative and practical session on selecting the right bulbs for Northwest Indiana. Learn when and how to plant, tips for dividing and naturalizing, and which varieties offer reliable color year after year — including deer-resistant favorites.
Whether you’re planning your first bulb garden or looking to enhance established beds, Bryan will share expert guidance to help your landscape thrive from early spring through fall.
Purdue Extension – Lake County
2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN
🌿 Heirloom Vegetables with Dolly Foster
🌿 Heirloom Vegetables with Dolly Foster
🗓 Monday, May 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Open to gardeners of all experience levels.
Join Purdue Extension Educator Dolly Foster to explore the colorful world of heirloom vegetables. Learn what makes a variety “heirloom,” why these historic plants have been passed down for generations, and how they differ from modern hybrids.
Dolly will share practical growing tips, common challenges, and advice for successfully growing these flavorful varieties in Northwest Indiana.
Purdue Extension – Lake County
2293 N. Main St., Crown Point, IN
🌱 Great for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
🌼 Designing Front Yard Gardens with Robert Pavlis
🌼 Designing Front Yard Gardens with Robert Pavlis
May 13 | 6:00–7:00 PM | Live on Zoom
Want a front yard that looks great and is easier to maintain? Join award-winning garden educator Robert Pavlis as he evaluates real front yard designs and shares practical tips you can use right away.
Learn how to create strong structure, choose the right plants, and avoid common design mistakes — all in this engaging live Zoom program designed to help you garden with confidence.
🍂 Fall Master Gardener Training Program
The Purdue Extension Master Gardener Basic Training program is a comprehensive course covering horticulture basics, plant science, sustainable gardening practices, and community outreach. Successful completion of the course is required for new Master Gardener trainees.
The next Fall Master Gardener Training session will be held Tuesday evenings, August 11 through December 1, from 5:30–8:30 PM at the Lake County Extension Office.
Additional details and registration information will be shared soon.
Our newest group of Master Gardener trainees kicking off the Fall 2025 class!
📄 Purdue Extension Educator Programs
📄 Purdue Extension Educator Programs Purdue Extension — Lake County ANR Programs
Learn with your local Purdue Extension educators, Becca Koetz and Dolly Foster.
In addition to Lake County Master Gardener programs, Becca and Dolly offer a wide variety of engaging public programs throughout Lake County. Topics include native plants, tree identification, pollinators, rain gardens, vegetable gardening, and more.
Programs are held at the Extension Office, libraries, and community locations across the county.
👉 These classes are open to everyone and registration is handled through Purdue Extension or the hosting location.
We encourage you to check out their upcoming programs below — they’re always informative, practical, and fun!
Featured Videos or Highlights
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
You can now watch the recording of this engaging Zoom program with internationally recognized garden writer and researcher Noel Kingsbury.
Why do some perennials fade after a season, while others persist or spread aggressively? Backed by overlooked Polish research from the 1960s and illustrated with both above- and below-ground images, Noel shares practical insights to help gardeners better understand how plants grow and behave over time.
🌿 Intro to Houseplants with Peter Sheardy
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
Houseplant enthusiast Peter Sheardy shared an engaging look at the history of houseplants and how our indoor gardening habits have evolved over time. Following his presentation, Peter provided this helpful guide — “What a Houseplant Needs” — outlining the key elements every houseplant requires to stay healthy and thrive.
🌿 Watch Functional & Fantastic Plants with Wayne Gruber
🌎 Understanding Perennials Where It Matters – Underground with Noel Kingsbury
🌿 Watch Functional & Fantastic Plants with Wayne Gruber
Presented Tuesday, August 12 at 6:00 PM
Missed the presentation? You can now watch horticulturist and educator Wayne Gruber share his top picks for sustainable, pollinator-friendly plants that can transform your landscape. Learn how to make informed choices and discover exciting new options that blend beauty and function.
🦋 Doug Tallamy: Next Steps for Nature
🥦 The Art of Growing Food with Ellen Ecker Ogden
🌿 Watch Functional & Fantastic Plants with Wayne Gruber
Join renowned entomologist and author Doug Tallamy as he shares powerful insights on the critical role native plants play in supporting insects, birds, and the broader ecosystem. This engaging webinar explores how each of us can help restore biodiversity—starting right in our own backyards. Be inspired to take action for nature.
🌿 Sustainable Garden Design with Wayne Gruber
🥦 The Art of Growing Food with Ellen Ecker Ogden
🥦 The Art of Growing Food with Ellen Ecker Ogden
Join us for a walk through Niemeyer’s with Wayne Gruber as he shares expert tips on creating eco-friendly, low-maintenance gardens. Learn how to combine natives, nativars, and sustainable plants for beautiful results with less effort.
🥦 The Art of Growing Food with Ellen Ecker Ogden
🥦 The Art of Growing Food with Ellen Ecker Ogden
🥦 The Art of Growing Food with Ellen Ecker Ogden
Join kitchen garden designer and author Ellen Ecker Ogden for an inspiring look at how to transform your vegetable garden into a beautiful and productive space. Discover how to combine classic design principles with edible landscaping techniques to create a garden that’s both artistic and abundant.
🌸 What’s New for 2025: The Journey from Selection to Your Garden
🌸 What’s New for 2025: The Journey from Selection to Your Garden
🌸 What’s New for 2025: The Journey from Selection to Your Garden
Explore the latest plant introductions with Josh Miller of Proven Winners in this colorful and informative slideshow. Discover how new plants are selected, trialed, and brought to market—plus get a peek at the season’s standout varieties.
🌟 Master Gardeners Favorite Things Slideshow
🌸 What’s New for 2025: The Journey from Selection to Your Garden
🌸 What’s New for 2025: The Journey from Selection to Your Garden
Each December, Lake County Master Gardeners gather to celebrate the season and share our favorite gardening tools, tips, books, and more!
Check out the slideshow from our recent Favorite Things Party to discover what your fellow MGs can’t live without. It’s full of fun ideas and helpful recommendations from gardeners just like you!
🌱 “Permaculture” with Rebecca Koetz
🌸 What’s New for 2025: The Journey from Selection to Your Garden
🌱 “Permaculture” with Rebecca Koetz
Learn how to design sustainable, low-impact gardens with Purdue Extension Educator Rebecca Koetz. In this two-part webinar, Becca shares practical tips on water harvesting, food production, and creating resilient landscapes inspired by nature.
Educating others
Gardeners' Corner
Check out recommendations that can help your garden in any season.
🌿 EDUCATION IS AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO
The Lake County Master Gardeners Association provides high-quality, research-based gardening education to our community in partnership with Purdue Extension Lake County.
We offer:
• Monthly public presentations
• In-person workshops
• Seasonal special programs
• Field trips and hands-on learning
• Master Gardener–only continuing education
All of our programs support our mission: Helping Others Grow.The Lake County Master Gardeners Association is dedicated to helping the public grow their gardening knowledge through free presentations, in-person talks, and educational outreach. All of our programs reflect our mission: Helping Others Grow.
If you would like to receive notification of our free gardening programs, please add your email address here:
🎤 SPEAKERS’ BUREAU
Our Speakers Bureau is available to provide presentations for garden clubs, libraries, community organizations, and civic groups in Lake County.
Popular talk topics include:
• Attracting pollinators to your garden
• Native plants and sustainable landscaping
• Vegetable gardening 101
• Seasonal garden care
• Organic and eco-friendly gardening practices
Interested organizations should contact the listed speakers directly to arrange the programs. Speakers cannot accept honoraria for speaking but can accept donations on behalf of LCMGA that are happily accepted by the Treasurer!
If you would like to receive a copy of the Speaker's Bureau list, please request one from Purdue Extension by calling (219) 755-3240