Gardeners can admire the bounty of the Men's Garden Club as well as buy iris and daffodils for their own gardens at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Flower Fest from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Oswald Visitor Center. Members of the Men's Garden Club will display flowers, vegetables, floral designs and photography. Plant sales by the Iris Society of Minnesota and the Daffodil Society of Minnesota are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Arboretum admission is $12 for adults; free for members and ages 12 and under. 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska. Visit www.arboretum.umn.edu or call 952-443-1400.
Scarecrows on parade The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum wants your whimsical scarecrows to help celebrate the fall harvest season. The Arb will display "Scarecrows in the Garden," a juried exhibit of original, one-of-a-kind handmade garden folk, beginning Sept. 8 on the grounds. Anyone can enter scarecrows -- including artists, community organizations, families and teams of all ages. For this year's nature theme, participants should fashion scarecrows from natural, dried or fresh materials that will weather well. Plastic and artificial materials may be used for stuffing.
To enter, fill out an application form at www.arboretum.umn.edu/scarecrows.aspx. There's a $20 entry fee. Scarecrows must be delivered to the Arboretum's Margot Picnic Shelters Aug. 31 or Sept. 1. Awards ranging from $100 to $50 gift cards will be given for first through third prizes, and a People's Choice Winner. For information, call 952-443-4401.
Bittersweet removal Oriental bittersweet (pictured at left), an invasive vine that strangles and kills trees, was discovered in Minnesota in 2010. Learn about and help remove invasive Oriental bittersweet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Maplewood Nature Center, 2659 E. 7th St., Maplewood. Training, tools and refreshments provided. Wear long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes or boots. Groups welcome. Free, but registration required. Call 651-249-2170 or e-mail info@maplewoodnaturecenter.com.
Corn fest How many ears of corn can you eat in one sitting? Pahl's Market and Farm will have live music and a corn-eating contest during the Corn Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to celebrate its harvest of 390,000 dozen ears of sweet corn. Pahl's is at 6885 160th St., Apple Valley. Visit www.pahls.com or call 952-431-4345.
