While regarding other topics it's true that we cannot keep up with all the calendar notices that are sent to us, in truth, we hardly ever get any notices about gardening events.

We do include a few selected gardening and nature-exploring events in the "datebook" of our quarterly print journal, MOQ (Minneapolis Observer Quarterly). Click on the "find us" page or the MOQ cover image on our home page to learn more about the current issue and how to get a copy for yourself.

Lyndale Farmstead Recreation Center, 3900 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis: Purchase Valentine-themed gifts from the Lyndale Park Peace Garden Project Committee to help speed the installation of two unique art pieces at the Peace Garden near Lake Harriet: The vertical bronze ‘Spirit of Peace’ sculpture and the new Peace Bridge, designed by Minneapolis College of Art and Design Professors and designers Kinji Akagawa and Jerry Allan.

Exhibits by native plant nurseries, landscape designers, restoration engineers, booksellers, & more, plus demonstrations and talks about sustainable landscaping, making hypertufa containers, designing for water quality, germinating seeds, “Kid- & Dog-friendly Native Plant Design,” making rain barrels, and a panel discussion on landscape design with native plants. Bring a drawing of your yard for free design advice. $7 admission includes a.m. coffee and rolls. Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park. http://for-wild.org/chapters/twincities/expo.html

January 28 & 29 only. Adults and seniors, $3; children $2. Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul. www.comozooconservatory.org, 651/487-8200.

January 28 & 29 only. Adults and seniors, $3; children $2. Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como Park, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul. www.comozooconservatory.org, 651/487-8200.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden:
Learn the basic structure of mushrooms and how to identify some species. Bring binoculars.