Grow your own

Want to put your patio pots or back yard to work producing food for your table? Bachman's is hosting an evening seminar/social event designed to help aspiring urban farmers get a good start on the growing season.

Susie Bachman will lead an edible-gardens seminar with plans and instructions for enjoying the best of summer dining; and Melinda Nelson, editor of Mpls.St.Paul magazine, will offer tips on the latest summer entertaining trends. Wine, sangria and light hors d'oeuvres also will be served.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday with refreshments, followed by demonstrations at 6 and 7 p.m. The cost is $5 per person, with all proceeds going to the Youth Farm, a local organization dedicated to growing food to help young people flourish. Reservations requested at www.bachmans.com. The event will be held at Bachman's flagship garden center at 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis.

Better design

The outdoor season is right around the corner. If you want to make the most of it, consider creating a new "outdoor room" for seasonal entertaining or just relaxing. Gabberts is hosting free half-hour "Outdoor Room" sessions with designer Brenda Cooper. She'll discuss current designs in outdoor furnishings and help you create a space that works for you. Sessions are available 4-8 p.m. Fri. and 4-8 p.m. May 23. Reservations required; call 952-928-3123.

Meet Mingle

There's a new home store in town. Mingle, a Plymouth design showroom featuring 25,000 square feet of one-stop shopping, including 120 vignettes, is hosting its grand opening this week. The festivities start Wednesday and continue through May 5, with cooking demonstrations, appetizer samples, and wine and beer tasting. (For a grand opening calendar, visit www.mingleteam.com). Mingle's showroom features appliances, cabinetry, countertops, furnishings, flooring, lighting and interior design. Product vendors will be on hand to answer questions. Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Mingle is located at 12955 Highway 55 in Plymouth.

Garage-sale fundraiser

The garage-sale season kicks off with Benilde-St. Margaret's annual fundraiser, featuring 15 departments and lots of name brands. It's sponsored by the Benilde-St. Margaret's Parent Association, and all proceeds benefit the school. Sale hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., 2501 Hwy. 100 S., St. Louis Park. Entry is $3 between 8 and 9 a.m., free after 9.

Allergy-free homes

Does someone in your household suffer from asthma or allergies? Natural Built Home is offering a seminar to help you create an allergy-free home. Building biologist Shaylee Oleson will discuss factors that can lead to poor indoor air quality, including dust mites, poor ventilation and more. The seminar is free, but space is limited; register by Friday at 612-605-7999 or via classes@naturalbuilthome.com. The seminar will be held at 10 a.m. Sat. at Natural Built Home, 4020 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls.

Join the conversation

It's spring —finally! — when our energy for home improvement moves outdoors. Looking for lawn and landscape tips? Need some fresh ideas for containers? Wondering what's up with your tomatoes? Whether you're a veteran gardener, a rookie or a brown thumb who just wants a better-looking back yard, you'll find answers, information and empathy on GreenGirls, our perennial garden blog.

Staff gardeners Connie Nelson, Martha Buns, Helen Yarmoska, Nicole Hvidsten, Mary Jane Smetanka and Kim Palmer are dishin' the dirt in the home garden all season long at www.startribune.com/greengirls.

One-day sale

Historic Studio is usually open only to design professionals, but the rest of us will get a chance to browse its one-of-a-kind furnishings and accessories at a public "One Day 50 Percent Off Sale" on Saturday. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 4950 W. 35th St., St. Louis Park.

Last call for Ideas House

If you haven't made it to the Bachman's Spring Ideas House, April 28 is your last chance. This year's theme, "The Gathering Place," offers a fresh take on ideas for seasonal entertaining and home decor, from spring tabletops to fairy gardening. Tickets will be sold on the half-hour, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., for $5. Tickets are available at www.bachmans.com or 612-861-7311,

The Ideas House is located at the historic Bachman family home, 5936 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.