Classes to get in the gardening mood

Let's get growing Get a jump-start on planning your garden at University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Horticulture Day workshops scheduled statewide in March and April. Participants will learn about low-maintenance landscaping and environmentally friendly practices, how to grow healthy fruits and vegetables and tips for growing cold-hardy plants and trees.

Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about new perennials for 2012, container gardening, composting techniques and other topics.

Costs range from free to $30 per person, depending on the location. To find a Horticulture Day near you, visit www.extension.umn.edu/go/1099.

Plant Society Day Members from a variety of plant societies specializing in peonies, water gardening, roses, hosta, gesneriads and mushrooms will answer your questions and give information about their groups at the Minnesota State Horticultural Plant Society Day, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Gertens, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Call 651-450-1501.

Home grown "Fresh Choices: Growing the Local Food Economy" is a public forum exploring the local food movement, presented by the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis. The free event showcases achievements of local organizations and identifies what we need to do to create a sustainable local food economy. "Fresh Choices" includes food samples, door prizes from local co-ops and showings of the Red Eye video "Dirty Work," 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 22 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls. Call 612-333-6319 or visit www.lwvmpls.org.

Rite of spring Browse new and used garden books, periodicals, garden artifacts and unframed art at the Terrace Horticultural Book Spring Open House, 503 St. Clair Av., St. Paul. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 and 24 and noon to 5 p.m. March 19-23. Call 651-222-5536.