Spring is blooming early for garden enthusiasts.
The 13th annual Gardeners’ Conference, hosted by the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of Davidson County, returns March 20 at High Rock Church, 135 Lowe’s Blvd. in Lexington — bringing a full day of inspiration, expert advice, shopping and hands-on learning for anyone who loves to dig in the dirt.
Open to the public, the conference offers a mix of education and enjoyment for gardening enthusiasts. Guests are greeted by a colorful display from about 10 local vendors showcasing plants, tools, handcrafted items and garden supplies. Morning refreshments set the tone for a day of learning and fellowship, giving attendees time to shop and mingle before sessions begin. A hot lunch rounds out the experience.
The educational sessions consist of two main speakers and two breakout sessions where participants can choose from four different classes happening concurrently.
The main speakers this year are Jon Roethling, director of Reynolda Gardens, and Carol Reese, former horticulture specialist with the University of Tennessee Ag Research and Education Centers. Roethling’s subject will be “The Scent-ual Garden: Creating Four Seasons of Olfactory Delight.” Reece’s presentation is “Are We Doing It Wrong?” She will explore some common gardening practices that may need to be rethought and suggest some things that may prove to be kinder to our wallet, our backs and our planet.
The concurrent sessions topics will include “Cultivating Resilience in our Gardens,” “Orchids 101,” “Safe Haven in a Pollinator Garden” and “Garden Design Secrets.” Participants may choose to attend two of these sessions.
Registration is $50. To get a registration form to mail in, you can go by the Davidson County Extension office at 301 E. Center St. in Lexington, or to register online go to Eventbrite.com and find the event on the website by typing “13th annual gardeners conference” in the search bar. Make sure you are searching events in Lexington, N.C. There is a $5.20 fee to process online registration.
Early registration is encouraged as seating is limited and the conference usually sells out.
Questions about the conference can be directed to Sam Boring at 336-242-2091, or Master Gardener volunteer Beth Leonard at 336-425-4777.
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