WESTFIELD — The 2026 Lower Valley Spring Gardening Workshops, Let’s Get Growing, will take place on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westfield Middle School, 30 W. Silver St. Presented by the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, this program features 10 workshops designed for home gardeners of all skill levels.
“This is year 27,” said WMMGA member and co-coordinator of the 2026 Lower Valley Spring Gardening Workshops, Rosey Bonner. “Attendees can look forward to a real diversity of workshops and some high-powered presenters that are both rich in their practice and their knowledge.”
She continued, “The vision has always been to provide education for home gardeners about sustainable gardening practices. If you look at what’s evolved over the years, there’s been a big shift nine or 10 years ago to a greater focus on not only making gardens beautiful, but also functioning for biodiversity, with an emphasis on native plants and chemical-free pest management. Today, our focus on sustainability and ecological health is stronger than ever.”
Participants choose two workshops, one from each session, covering a wide range of timely and practical topics, including:
Growing berriesHealthier vegetables with a focus on pest managementClimate-adapted strategies, including “persistent” plantsDIY small water feature designTrees and shrubs for year-round interestNative plants that are both beautiful and functionalPlants for small garden spacesHands-on plant propagationHands-on succulent container designIdentifying and managing common invasive species
In addition to the workshops, WMMGA will host their Marketplace Fair, featuring informational booths, vendors, a soil testing station, an Ask-a-Master-Gardener table, raffles filled with garden-themed items and gift certificates, and complimentary refreshments.
WMMGA is a nonprofit organization of gardeners educating the public on sustainable gardening practices as well as helping out at community service projects. The organization is divided into three sub-regions: Berkshire County, Upper Valley, and Lower Valley, which organize activities, seminars, lectures and field trips in their regions.
“Twenty years ago, only a handful of people were gardening,” said Bonner. “Since the pandemic, a lot more people have started growing their own food, flowers, trees and herbs, so there’s a lot of home gardeners. In our role as an educational resource, Master Gardeners are needed more than ever.”
Bonner became a master gardener in 2017. Now, she’s shifted more to native plants and shrubs with a sprinkling of vegetables in raised beds and containers. Her next step is to expand her vegetable garden and add more berry bushes. Bonner hopes the legacy that master gardeners leave for the generations to come is that they are all part of keeping their environment healthy, and. She said every one of them can do something small to make a meaningful difference. “With these workshops,” she said. “We hope to give home gardeners some of the tools, ideas, and inspirations to be a part of this community in taking care of our world and the environment.”
Go to www.WMMGA.org to register and for more info. For questions, email Bonner at rbonner477@gmail.com.
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