Written collaboratively by Cindy Schnabel, South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Horticulture Assistant and Master Gardener, and Kristine Lang, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist.
Gardeners, are you getting the itch to start gardening, but the cold weather and snow on the ground just isn’t conducive to doing that? If so, here is some timely educational information for you to explore. From live webinars to archived videos, you’re sure to find something to cultivate your gardening interests!
South Dakota State University Resources
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Master Gardener Volunteer Program
SDSU Extension Master Gardeners have several in-person, public, garden education days planned from March to May 2022. SDSU Extension experts will be among the featured speakers at events in the communities of Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Miller and Watertown. Watch for local promotions in your community! -
Garden Hour
Garden Hour, SDSU Extension’s weekly in-season garden show will be returning for 2022 each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. CT. Live episodes of Garden Hour will begin this May with our Extension experts on hand to answer your timely gardening questions. Save the date and visit our Garden and Yard page for updates!-
If you’d like to prepare for the season ahead in South Dakota, a great place to start is the 2021 Garden Hour archive on YouTube. You’ll be able to walk through the season and see what questions came up, and how our experts answered them. Other previous SDSU Extension gardening webinars are also available on our YouTube page.
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McCrory Gardens
McCrory Gardens provides virtual and in-person education opportunities throughout the winter and gardening season. Check out upcoming events on their website, and visit the McCrory Gardens Facebook page to keep up with the newly launched McCrory Minute video series. -
Garden & Yard Newsletter
Have you subscribed to our newsletters? The Garden & Yard Newsletter provides bi-weekly gardening information from April to October related to vegetables, flowers weeds, insects, turf and more. The Tree Pest Alert answers all your questions related to trees, woody plants, and the pests that wreak havoc on these plants.
Regional University Resources
There is an abundance of science-based gardening information available from land-grant universities within our region. Below is a sampling of these opportunities but is certainly not an exhaustive list!
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North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University Extension has two learning opportunities available for Northern Plains gardeners. Spring Fever Garden Forums will air March through April to help you care for your yard and garden. Topics include vegetables and herbs, landscapes, healthy environments, and research updates. Field to Fork webinars February through April will provide information about growing, preserving and preparing specialty-crop fruits and vegetables. -
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota will be hosting the Minnesota Plants Series from March through May covering weekly topics, such as Birdscaping, Invasive Plants and Top-10 Garden Trends for 2022. -
University of Illinois
Illinois Extension hosts the Four Seasons Gardening Webinar Series. The series includes webinars on organic shade gardening and runs on select Tuesdays in the spring. They have archived their programs on their YouTube channel.
Additional Resources
Below are a few additional opportunities to learn about gardening from various organizations, but there are certainly many more that could be added to this list. Enjoy these opportunities as you pass the time until your hands are once again in the soil!
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Prairie Yard and Garden
Prairie Yard and Garden is a 30-minute program about gardening in the upper Midwest. You can find gardening information for our area with the help of host, Mary Holm. -
Monarch Conservation Webinar Series
Interested in Monarchs? The Monarch Conservation Webinar Series is the webinar for you! They also provide you with past information on monarchs. -
Minnesota State Horticultural Society
The Minnesota State Horticultural Society has what they referred to as The Webinar Shop. Here you can find information about starting seeds, winter sowing, and growing Dahlias and others, just to pique your interest. -
Rodale Institute
If you’re interested in organic gardening and farming, Rodale Institute give you first-hand information from their staff and researchers through live webinars.
Still Have Questions?
South Dakota citizens may submit garden questions to the SDSU Extension Garden Hotline by phone or email. Horticulture assistants are available to provide researched-based information on home garden plants, lawns, trees and insects. Residents should feel free to call or email any location:
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Aberdeen Garden Hotline (open year-round)
Email: sdsu.gardensnorth@sdstate.edu
Phone: 605-626-2876 -
Sioux Falls Garden Hotline (open mid-March - October)
Email: sdsu.gardenseast@sdstate.edu
Phone: 605-782-3298 -
Rapid City Garden Hotline (open mid-March - October)
Email: sdsu.gardenswest@sdstate.edu
Phone: 605-394-6814
