BLOOMING BENEFIT

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum doesn't need to buy flowers for its fundraising party on June 16. "Gala in the Gardens" attendees will dine al fresco surrounded by blooming lilies, roses and other plants in the arb's 32 display and specialty gardens. KARE-11's Belinda Jensen will emcee the 6 p.m. party, which includes jazz, food and a live auction. Tickets range from $175 for one to $5,000 for a table of 10 people. For reservations, call 952-443-1400, ext. 7046, or e-mail celebarb@umn.edu.

UGLY DECK CONTEST

New Again Deck Renewal, an Eden Prairie wood finishing company, is giving out one deck restoration worth $300 to $1,800, based on the size and condition of the deck. E-mail JPEG digital photos of your ugly deck with your name, address and phone number to info@newagaindeck.com. (The company will not accept decks that have been painted or need structural repairs.) Decks must be in the Twin Cities metro area. Do it now. Contest deadline is June 15.

GARDEN CONTEST

Nominate a great private garden for the annual Beautiful Gardens contest. The winning gardens -- and the gardeners who tend them -- will be featured in a cover story in this section and online. To submit a nomination, just send a letter briefly describing the garden and the people who tend it. Dig up some snapshots of the garden in its glory or take some fresh photos this spring. Please include the gardener's name, address and phone number, as well as your own. And if you have a great garden, don't be shy about nominating yourself. The deadline for nominations is June 18. Mail nominations to: Beautiful Gardens Contest, Home+ Garden, Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488. Electronic submissions may be sent to kim.palmer@startribune.com.

NEXT WEEK

A new, locally grown website links people with extra space in their yards and a little know-how with those who are eager to dig in and garden.

LYNN UNDERWOOD, CONNIE NELSON