Saint Paul Garden Club

Workshop for Divisional Chairs - Flower Show 2027
2025-11-18 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
Birchwood Village Hall, 207 Birchwood Avenue, Birchwood, MN 55110
Hosts: Teresa Moe & Mary Parenteau (co-chairs)

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-11-19 09:30 - 13:00
North Oaks Golf Club, 54 East Oaks Road, North Oaks, MN 55127

Fall and Winter Centerpiece Design
Speaker: Joan Westby and Madeline Parks
The creative team of Joan, owner, and Madeline, general manager, of Leitner’s Garden Center will demonstrate how to create a fall centerpiece using natural materials for our Thanksgiving tables. Next, they will magically transform the same centerpiece into a unique natural tablescape for December entertaining.
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-59915017-spgc/64464690#/

Tour at the Bell Museum opportunity
2025-11-19 13:30 - 15:00
Fun Opportunity 🍄‍🟫
SPGC members and friends are welcome to join a tour on Wednesday, November 19, at 1:30 pm of the amazing Curious Allies: Exploring Relationships in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores botanical art exhibit featured at the Bell Museum. The tour, arranged by the local chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists, will be led by two of the internationally renowned artists from Minnesota whose work is featured in the show. The show runs until January 4, 2026. Museum entrance fee is $15 (or $13 for those 65+). Please let Dana Boyle know if you plan to join the tour danaboyle23@gmail.com.

Tea Dance Work/Crafting Session
2025-11-20 10:00 - 16:00
10 am – 4 pm drop in
Due to Birchwood Hall having no power, we have changed the location to the Phipps Center for the Arts – River Room in Hudson. (109 Locust Street, free parking is available in the beach lot on 1st Street across the street from the main entrance).

Tea Dance Reservation Deadline
2025-11-21 08:00 - 17:00
All RSVPs due to Cindy Gehrig, gehrigca@gmail.com. Payment may be made at a later date.

Allocations Grant Applications Due
2025-11-30 08:00 - 17:00
Send your application to Tracy Stutz, stutztm19@gmail.com

Reminder...Sign up for Rice Park Weekly Maintenance
2025-12-01, 2026-02-01, 2026-04-01, 2026-06-01 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Please sign up to help with maintenance once – or better yet – twice a season! It’s easy, fun, a great way to connect with fellow SPGC members, and can spark a renewed sense of civic pride. You can go any day of the week for your volunteer slot.
Weekly Maintenance SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DABAF23A6F85-rice10#/
We usually work in pairs. If you don’t have a partner, no worries. Either someone will sign up to join you or please contact one of our committee members and we’ll be sure you don’t go alone.
Below is information about what to do, where to go AND parking options. Attached to this sign-up (scroll to the bottom) is also a document you may print to bring with you if that is more helpful.
During the growing season, and early fall, you and a partner can expect to spend 1 to 3 hours in the park per week each time you sign up.

Tasks include picking up any obvious litter and gardening, deadheading, trimming, and tidying all 10 urns plus the garden spaces along the south side of the park, which consist of the two corner entrance points and the sun garden that runs alongside the road with the J.J. Hill and Public libraries.

Suggested tools to bring are gardening gloves, clippers, a trowel, rake, broom, garbage bags, a stool to reach the urns, and anything else you usually use at home. If you are able, please also bring some jugs of water. While the city is contracted to water three times a week, we sometimes have issues. Our autumn urns will be thirsty especialy when the city’s watering program ends in October. The urns will thank you for your efforts.

In the chilly months, your team should typically expect to spend an hour or less in the park per time you sign up.

Tasks include picking up any obvious litter and tidying all 10 urns plus casting an eye over the garden spaces along the south side of the park, which consist of the two corner entrance points and the sun garden that runs alongside the road with the J.J. Hill and Public libraries.

Suggested tools include gloves, clippers, garbage bags and a stool to reach into the urns. Please bring some water before winter really sets in to help hold the displays upright until they freeze solid. In the winter we do more “zhuzhing” and less gardening, straightening twigs and clipping broken branches.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, when your shift is complete, please contact Kris Rose with your observations: Kris.Rose@outlook.com or 651-246-0201 If you see graffiti, please send a picture and description of the location too.
Location: 109 West 4th Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 – Rice Park is located downtown between the Saint Paul Hotel and the Ordway Theatre.
Parking is available in metered spots on the street around Rice Park, at the Lawson or other nearby ramps. If you just can’t find a spot it’s okay to pull up into the park area itself. All four corners have curb cuts that allow access to the paved walkways that are wide enough for cars.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Kris Rose
SPGC Rice Park Committee Chair

SPGC Board Meeting
2025-12-10 09:30 - 12:00
9:30 AM Social – coffee / 10:00 AM Meeting.
Location: Gibbs Farm – Red Barn, 2097 Larpenteur Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN

Tea Dance
2025-12-14 16:00 - 20:00
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Time: 4 pm – 8 pm
Location: JX Venue 123 2nd Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Tickets: $130/adult and $50/youth
RSVP Deadline: Friday, November 21, 2025 (Invitations will be mailed in early November)

Come ready to revisit the JX Venue and enjoy some new amusements with your family and friends! We will be gathering in Stillwater this year. It is a beautiful rivertown. During the holidays the downtown sparkles. Plan extra time to enjoy the holiday lights!

Expect our usual lovely gathering with friends, family, food and live music. The dancing trees, Santa, the Balloon Man, and the photo booth will be ready to enjoy along with the ability to purchase a lovely centerpiece!

Pre-orders for centerpieces ($50 each) are now available – contact Carol Kolb or Deb Venker to do so. Please see the attached photos for a selection of tea pots that will be included and a sample of the centerpieces.

This year we are including a few more activities for fun, including

A bourbon room with tasting flights
Create snowflakes
Pin the nose on Rudolph
Try your hand at adding buttons to a snowman

Best of all, bring the little ones! There will be a swag bag full of activities and crafts for them to enjoy.

NOTE: Invitations will be mailed in early November. We’ll need your help! There will be an invitation assembly event at Debbie’s home on Thursday, October 30th in the afternoon. Watch for a SignUp Genius!

Let us gather together with friends and family again this year for an evening of fun and support of our many worthy allocation recipients.

SPGC Membership Meeting - Zoom meeting
2026-01-21 10:00 - 11:30
Time: 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting at
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9747207958?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 974 720 7958
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Winter Seed Sowing & Sharp Beautiful Images
Michelle Riedel, SPGC’s own accomplished photography professional, has prepared a “best of” program, featuring highlights from three of her stellar programs with many beautiful images and helpful tips:
– Winter Sowing Perennial Seeds – Michelle will show how to construct a mini greenhouses made out of gallon milk/water containers, add soil, perennial seeds and water, then tape up and place outside in the winter.

– Orange Punch — Adding This Adventurous Punch to your Garden: Michelle will share some of her favorite orange annuals and perennials.

– Photography In Your Garden: Michelle will share ideas of what to photograph in gardens besides flowers, selecting the best backgrounds and the rule of thirds.
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-61381841-spgc/186958352#/

SPGC Membership Meeting - Optional Social Event
2026-01-21 16:00 - 18:30 | Ingredients Cafe, https://www.ingredientscafe.com/, 4725 Hwy 61 N, MN, 55110, United States
Optional SPGC Social Event, January 21, 2026 at 4:00PM
SPGC Members are invited to attend an optional “Happy Hour” at Ingredients Cafe, 4725 Hwy 61 N, White Bear Lake, from 4:00 – 5:00PM, on January 21, 2026. Sarah Meek, Zoom meeting host, will provide complimentary light appetizers (in lieu of centerpieces:), with Ingredients offering a cash bar to purchase beverages. Our speaker, Michelle Riedel, plans to attend so it will be a fun chance to chat with her and catch up post holidays. Those interested in staying on for dinner are welcome to RSVP for that separately — Ingredients Cafe is setting aside a large table and will offer their full dinner menu and individual checks to those of us who opt to stay.
Happy Hour Only, from 4:00 – 5:00PM:
Happy Hour & Dinner, from 4:00 – 6:30PM:
Please RSVP by Thursday, January 15 — thank you!
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-61367887-spgc/186958352#/

SPGC Board Meeting
2026-02-11 09:30 - 12:00
9:30 AM Social / 10:00 AM Meeting.
** NOTE change to in-person meeting at Unity Church – Unitarian 733 Portland Ave, St Paul.

SPGC Membership Meeting
2026-02-18 09:30 - 13:00
Location: Holman Field, 644 Bayfield Street, Saint Paul, MN 55107
Time: 9:30 AM social / 10:00 AM meeting

Connect with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)

Speaker: Whitney Clark, Executive Director of the FMR has grown the organization from its beginning 25 years ago to the vibrant organization it is today. He will engage with us to learn how FMR protects, restores, and enhances the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region.
For more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-62029661-spgc

Greenhouse Tour
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:30 | gertens garden center, 5500 Blaine Avenue , Dock 9, Inver Grove Heights, 55076, United States
See How the Pros Grow/Greenhouse Tour
Gertens Garden Center has opened their production greenhouse for a tour. We will see the burgeoning blooms and inhale the loamy goodness, a wonderful anticipation of our spring plantings.
Time: 1 – 2:30 PM
Location: Gertens Garden Center, Dock 9, 5500 Blaine Ave, Inver Grove Heights MN 55076
Host: Kris Rose 651-246-0201
Attire: It’s warm in the greenhouses and can be slippery. Wear layers and clothes toe rubber bottom shoes. Expect to walk about a half mile on the tour.

Parking: Enter the furthest south entrance off of Upper 55th Street into Gertens and follow signs to Dock 9. If the regular parking spots are full, they suggest we “park in the field”. See map: Dock 9 is the yellow star. The main retail building is A. For a map of the campus, go to the link below.
To sign up and for more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-61858844-afield

Pop Up Event Workshop Floral Design
2026-04-01 12:00 - 15:00
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM Lunch / 12:30 PM Workshop.
Cost: $10 for Lunch + $10 for Workshop
Location: Birchwood City Hall, 207 Birchwood Avenue, Birchwood Village, MN 55110.

The Kindness Connection PopUp
One for You, One for the Community

Join us for a unique floral experience where creativity meets connection. In this workshop, you won’t just learn the art of floral design—you’ll use it to bridge the gap between neighbors or brighten a stranger’s day. This isn’t your typical flower class. We are growing a connection garden where you will create three beautiful arrangements.

The Keepsake: An arrangement designed by you, for your own home (Easter is on April 5th this year).
The Kindness Gifts: Two bouquets to be created specifically to be gifted. Whether it’s for a local police station, a retirement center, your favorite barista or restaurant worker, a neighbor you’ve been meaning to say hello to, or placed on a park bench for a stranger, these blooms are for sharing joy and connection.

WE PROVIDE

Seasonal Blooms: A curated selection of fresh, springlike stems.
The Gratitude Station: Specialty note cards and ribbons to personalize your gift with a heartfelt message.

To find out what to bring and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FADAC29A6FAC34-62721673-thekindness/64464690#/

SPGC Board Meeting
2026-04-08 09:30 - 12:00
9:30 AM Social – coffee / 10:00 AM Meeting.
Location: Unity Church – Unitarian, 733 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104.
Hosts: Margaret Ford, Catherine Nicholson

Member meeting - History and Images of Minnesota Crop Art
2026-04-15 09:30 - 13:00
Speaker: Liz Schreiber, Artist
Liz has been making, teaching and sharing her crop art for over 2 years. She will present the history and technique of this popular State Fair craft, together with a slide show. The images will highlight the artists who have been educating Minnesotans about our agriculture since 1965.
Location: Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Lead Host: Margaret Ford
Hosts: Mary Parenteau, Betsy Cobb, Nancy Apfelbacher
To sign up and for more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-62912882-spgc/64464690#/

Rice Park Spring Planting - all members are encouraged to participate
2026-04-21 10:00 - 12:30 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Ahhh, spring at last! Kick off the 99th season of SPGC bringing color and joy to Rice Park. Gardening together is fun; the civic pride is infectious and the patisseries will be plentiful thanks to our partner in the park, the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. If you’re able, please attend all four annual plantings and sign up for maintenance once or twice each season.
Bring your gardening gear, a stool and a few jugs of water. See you there!
Hosts: The Rice Park Committee: Kris Rose, Tina Allison Mary Cullen, Sheila McCarr, Christine
McGinnis, Joan Palm, Missy Pfeiffer, Deb Venker, Robyn Wefel
Questions: contact Kris 651-246-0201 or Tina 319-899-4196
Parking: Please consider carpooling. If no on-street metered parking is available, pull into the park at one of the four corners, leaving space for others to pass.
Feel free to flag down or call one of the Rice Park committee members for help pulling in.
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55888997-rice
Please also sign up to spend a couple of hours in Rice Park throughout the year.
Weekly Maintenance SUG:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DABAF23A6F85-rice10

Tour of Ramsey/Washington Energy Facility
2026-04-22 10:00 - 23:30
Garbage from both counties goes to this facility. See the food waste bags removed by robot ey and arm to be placed for composting. Also see recyclables separated from residential waste.
Location: 100 Red Rock Road, Newport, MN 55055
To sign up and for more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-63067903-tour/64464690#/

SPGC New Member Meeting & Dinner
2026-04-22 18:00 - 20:00
Meet at 6:00 pm for a light dinner and a time to socialize and discuss your Provisional year experiences.
Location TBD

EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED - Foraging for Edible Plants
2026-05-13 10:00 - 12:00
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED. MORE TO FOLLOW.
Maria Wesserle, founder of Four Seasons Foraging, will lead us on a plant gathering adventure.
More information to follow…

SPGC Membership Meeting
2026-05-20 09:30 - 13:00
Cargill Auditorium, 1500 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108

“Continuous Living Cover” Update on the U of MN Forever Green Initiatives
Speaker: Dr. Mitch Hunter, Director
Mitch will share the latest work of the Forever Green research platform in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS). Forever Green leads in developing and improving winter hardy annual and perennial crops that protect soil and water while driving new economic opportunities, including developing crops that produce airplane fuel.
To sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-62912882-spgc/64464690#/

Rice Park Summer Planting - all members are encouraged to participate
2026-05-21 10:00 - 12:30 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Be a part of beautifying Saint Paul’s premier park, a SPGC tradition spanning 99 years. Many hands make light work as we transition the urns and gardens from springtime bulbs to lush summer flowers. If you’re able, please attend all four plantings and sign up for maintenance once or twice each season.
We’ll provide the snacks; you bring your gardening gear, a stool anda few jugs of water. Cheers to summer!
Hosts: The Rice Park Committee: Kris Rose, Tina Allison Mary Cullen, Sheila McCarr, Christine McGinnis, Joan Palm, Missy Pfeiffer, Deb Venker, Robyn Wefel
Questions: contact Kris 651-246-0201 or Tina 319-899-4196
Parking: Please consider carpooling. If no on-street metered parking is available, pull into the park at one of the four corners, leaving space for others to pass.
Feel free to flag down or call one of the Rice Park committee members for help pulling in.
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55890778-rice
Don’t forget to pick a day throughout the year to take your turn doing ‘Weekly Maintenance.’
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DABAF23A6F85-rice10

Lakewood Cemetery Arboretum Tour
2026-06-03 10:00 - 12:00
Lakewood staff will lead us on a discover tour of the arboretum. Lakewood is rich in history and extraordinary beauty. Since its founding in 1871, leading architects and designers have enhanced the grounds with deep respect for natural beauty.
Location: Lakewood Cemetery Arboretum, 3600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-64048143-lakewood

SPGC Board Meeting
2026-06-10 09:30 - 12:00
9:30 AM Social / 10:00 AM Meeting.
Location: Margaret Ford’s home, 5 Birchwood Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55110.
Hosts: Mary Parenteau, Diane Duvall

SPGC Membership Meeting
2026-06-17 09:30 - 13:00
Dodge Nature Center, Aerie Room, 1701 Charlton Street, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Outsized Impact of the Simple Seed
Speaker: Jennifer Jewell is the creator and host of the national weekly public radio program and podcast “Cultivating Place: Conversations on Natural History and the Human Impulse to Garden”.
More information to follow…

Overnight Field Trip to Northern Minnesota: Forest Bathing and Lady Slippers
2026-06-23 08:00 - 2026-06-24 17:00
Visit the Lost 40, an unlogged virgin forest, scientific and natural area, home to majestic 300-400 year old pines.We will explore the Big-Bog Recreation Area near Washkish. The mile long bog boardwalk features blooming orchids, cranberries, pitcher plants, and other natives. We will stay overnight at a hotel on the south side of Lake Bemidji.
More information to follow…
