Garden dinner party Dine on locally grown food surrounded by lilies, hydrangeas and other lush plantings at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Toast & Taste in the Gardens party, 6 to 9 p.m. July 26. Sun Street Bakery, Spoonriver, Signature Cafe, Sen Yai-Sen Lek, Prairie Bay Grill and Cafe Maude are among more than 20 restaurants that will prepare the fresh cuisine. Local wineries will pour samples and share their expertise.
Admission is $75 (for 7 p.m. entry) and $125 (for 6 p.m. entry). For reservations, call 612-625-9875 or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu/toastandtaste.aspx.
Care and canning Gertens is holding two upcoming workshops -- one on canning and the other on midsummer plant care. "Learn to Can Fruits and Vegetables" explains techniques, supplies and recipes for preserving your yard and garden bounty, 6 p.m. Thursday. "Successful Summer Gardening" offers tips for productive vegetable and flower beds, containers and herbs. Topics include fertilization, watering, weeding, trimming, insect and disease control and harvesting, 6 p.m. next Tuesday. The free workshops are at 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Call 651-450-1501.
20 years of gardens Family Means will celebrate 20 years of showcasing gardens with a "best-of" St. Croix Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The 11 residential gardens, which have been featured on past tours, are at various sites in the Stillwater area. Proceeds support the programs of Family Means, a Stillwater nonprofit. Tickets $15; ages 12 and under are free. Go to www.familymeans.org or call 651-439-4840.
LYNN UNDERWOOD
