Master Gardeners will share tips to jump-start gardening season
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
Provided photos: Master Forest Owner Jena Buckwell demonstrates the effect of tillage on water filtration at last year’s Spring Ed Day.
KNOWLESVLLE – It may not feel like it, but spring has sprung, and Master Gardeners at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension are jump-starting their event season with their annual Spring Into Gardening Education Day.
The event this year will be Saturday, April 7, at the Education Center at the 4-H Fairgrounds, 12690 State Rt. 31, Albion. The full-day event will feature four different gardening topics as well as lunch from a local restaurant.
The topics this year are: Dried Florals, Lasagna Gardening, Climate Smart Gardening, and Multiplying Plants. Instructors for the classes are all trained volunteers with Cornell Cooperative Extension. The first three classes are all informational with subject matter ranging from decorative to practical. The final class, Multiplying Plants, will offer basic information on plant propagation as well as a hands-on activity where participants will go home a hand-made project!
“The line-up for Spring Ed day this year is fantastic, and I think it appeals to a broad spectrum of interest,” said Katie Oakes, Horticulture educator and Master Gardener coordinator.
The Master Gardeners chose to offer just one class per time slot this year to accommodate the participants who in the past have been disappointed they couldn’t attend all of the class offerings during the day.
Previous Spring Ed events have offered the choice between two different class topics at each time, making it difficult for a participant who might have wanted to attend both topics. This year’s simplified schedule will allow participants to enjoy the day without feeling they’re missing out.
“We will also be having a Fall Education Day for the first time this year, so we can feature additional topics at time of year when gardening at home is slowing down,” Oakes said.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. There is a fee for the four educational sessions and lunch. For more information or to register, please contact the Kim Hazel at 585-798-4265 ext. 26 or krh5@cornell.edu.
Master Gardener Alex Greene assists a participant of the 2017 Spring Ed Day with supplies for the hands-on activity. This years “Make-It Take-It” class will be on Multiplying Plants and the different methods of plant propagation.
