Last call for Beautiful Gardens

Do you know of a garden that's looking good? Share its beauty with others by nominating it in our annual Beautiful Gardens contest.

Every year, Home+Garden seeks the best residential gardens. Each winning garden will be showcased in the Star Tribune and on Startribune.com. The garden can be big or small; urban, suburban or rural; edible, ornamental or both.

Just send a few snapshots, along with a brief description, including: who tends the garden, where it's located and what makes it special. Photos don't have to be of professional quality, but be sure to include at least one that shows an overall view of the garden.

We'll accept entries through July 20. Send to: Beautiful Gardens, Star Tribune, 650 3rd Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488. Or e-mail entries to beautifulgardens@startribune.com.

How-to harvest

Make your garden bounty last throughout the winter months. Gertens free workshop "How-to Canning and Freezing Fruits and Vegetables" explains the proper techniques and equipment necessary to safely preserve your harvest, 1 p.m. July 23, Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Register at www.gertens.com/events or call 651-450-1501.

Gardens galore

Gather ideas or just admire the landscapes at two garden tours next weekend. The Tangletown Art & Garden Tour showcases private gardens in Minneapolis and St. Paul, with a stop at the public Longfellow Gardens, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25. Tangletown Gardens staff will be available to answer questions. Demonstrations on container design, pruning, growing vegetables and planting for pollinators will be featured in selected gardens. Art by local artists will be on display. Cost: $25 in advance, 612-822-4769 or at Tangletown Gardens, 5353 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls.; $30 the day of the tour. Ticket includes beverages and live music, 3 to 6 p.m. at Wise Acre Eatery, 5401 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls.

The Minnesota Water Garden Society Tour features 12 gardens that include ponds, waterfalls or other water features in the metro area, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25-26. Homeowners will be on hand to answer questions. Cost: $10 in advance at www.mwgs.org or $15 the day of the tour at any site. For more information, call 612-803-7663.

Magnificent monarchs

Migrating monarchs may make a rest stop in your garden if you cultivate the right plants. A Gertens seminar, "Monarch Butterflies and Native Plants," explores the life stages of monarchs, and the plants you need to attract and benefit them, from noon to 3 p.m. July 25, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Preregister at www.gertens.com/events or call 651-450-1501.

Blu Dot outlet opens

Fan of Blu Dot? The Minneapolis-based modern furniture maker has opened an outlet store to replace the popular warehouse sales. The Blu Dot outlet will sell closeouts, samples and scratch-and-dent merchandise at a discount, including sofas, tables, chairs and dining room and bedroom sets. You'll also find current, full-priced items, which are offered on the website. The outlet is open on weekends only, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays at 323 NE. Tyler St., Mpls. Part of the 10,000-square-foot outlet will be a dedicated showroom to highlight many of the hundreds of products Blu Dot sells. For information, go to www.bludot.com or call 1-844-425-8368.

Designer kaffeeklatsch

If you're planning to redo a room or are hunting for furniture, show your photos, fabric samples and Pinterest boards to Gabberts pros at "Coffee With a Designer," from 10 to 11 a.m. July 25. Coffee and treats will be served. The free event is at Gabberts in the Galleria, 69th St. and France Av. S., Edina, and in the Little Canada store, 3201 Country Dr. Call 952-927-1500 or go to www.gabbertscom.

Made in the USA

Find out about American craftsmanship and the inspiration behind creating handcrafted products at Room & Board's "An Evening With Design Milk and Hennepin Made," 6 to 8 p.m. July 22, Room & Board, 7010 France Av. S., Edina. The free event includes light bites and beverages. To RSVP, go to www.roomandboard.com and click on the Edina store link or call 952-927-8835.

LYNN UNDERWOOD