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Dean Voke to host 13th annual Spring Gardening Symposium

Date: 3/18/2009

By Ashlene Ferris

Staff Intern



HOLYOKE -- Gardening professionals from across the region will offer garden enthusiasts a day of interesting lectures and workshops on April 5.

The 13th annual Spring Gardening Symposium, "Let Your Garden Shine in 2009," sponsored by the Western Massachusetts Master Gardeners Association, will take place from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Dean Technical High School, 1045 Main St.

"We're a volunteer non-profit organization and our mission is to teach people about gardens and all the cutting edge things like using native plants, reducing water use and global warming," Toi Graham, master gardener in charge of registration, said

Twenty-four gardening workshops are planned for the event along with a keynote address by C.L. Fornari, frequent contributor to American Nurseryman Magazine and author of "Your Garden Shouldn't Make You Crazy" and "The Cape Cod Garden." Apart from being a plant enthusiast, she is a professional speaker, writer and host of GardenLine on WXTK radio and a volunteer master gardener with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.

George Kingston, president of the garden symposium, said he is very happy to have Fornari as this year's keynote speaker.

"The symposium is something that always draws people back," he said. "We've been doing this for 13 years and everything that I have read is saying people have enhanced their interest in gardening because you can save money and enjoy working in your own yard."

During an interview with Reminder Publications, Graham said she anticipates at least 300 guests at the symposium because of the additional two workshops. A raffle drawing will also take place from noon to 12:15 p.m.

She said those interested in the gardening symposium should register early because classes fill up fast.

"We've been doing this now for 13 years and with the added workshops you hope that people get what they want. We have different classes so people are happy with what they came for," she added.

The registration deadline for the gardening symposium is March 29.

More information and registration can be found at the Master Gardener Web site at www.wmassmastergardeners.org or by calling 862-4591.