Think Spring!
The Cass County Master Gardeners are excited to present the 18th Annual Spring Garden Seminar, on Saturday, March 19 at the Atlantic High School. Registration begins at 8:30 AM, with the program beginning at 9 AM. Two keynote speakers and 10 workshop presenters are lined up for the day, with participants being able to attend three breakout sessions of their choice. The day will also feature rolls and coffee to start the morning, a sandwich luncheon, garden vendor show and a great opportunity to network with old friends and new as we prepare for the 2016 gardening season!
The seminar is open to all interested gardeners no matter the level of experience! Participants are not required to have completed Master Gardener training to attend, but Master Gardeners who attend the full day will be given 5 credit hours toward their continuing education requirements. The event features two keynote speakers. In the morning, Brent Heath, co-owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs in Virginia, will discuss Bulbs as Companion Plants. After lunch, Anita Westphal of ISU’s Reiman Gardens will present on Pollinators in the Garden, and Beyond! Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops on topics including conifers, native wildflowers, container vegetable gardening, herbs, landscaping and more! Several of the workshop sessions are hands-on, where participants will make and take an item to enjoy at home.
This year’s seminar will also feature a raffle for a 2-hour garden consultation with keynote speaker Brent Heath. Raffle details are available in the event brochure or online. You do not need to attend the Garden Seminar to enter the raffle, but do need to be available on Friday afternoon, March 18th, for the garden consultation (will work around schedule as able).
The cost for this day of fun and learning is $35, including all meals and session materials. A full list of all breakout sessions, a schedule for the day and printable registration form are all available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass or can be picked up at the Cass County Extension Office. Brochures are also available at many local businesses with the schedule and registration form.
The early registration deadline, to be eligible for door prizes, is postmarked by Friday March 11. The Cass County Master Gardeners will also have a booth at the 2016 Home and Garden Show, at the Cass County Community Center on March 4th and 5th. They will be accepting garden seminar registrations at the booth, as well as answering garden questions and sharing Extension gardening resources. Registrations are also welcome up to the day of the Garden Seminar, including walk-in registrations at the door.
For more information on the Spring Garden Seminar or the Cass County Master Gardener Program, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, email [email protected], or stop by the Extension Office at 805 W. 10th St in Atlantic.