Register Now to Attend Potting Shed University During Master Gardener State Conference

Contact: Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist

Headquartered in Greene County

Tel: (417) 881-8909

E-mail: byerspl@missouri.edu

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Public registration is underway for Potting Shed University, a series of classes sponsored by Master Gardeners of Greene County, to be held on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, during the 18th annual Missouri Master Gardener State Conference at Ramada Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Mo.

Potting Shed University classes begin on Sunday morning with seven classes organized into four tracks, beginning at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Participants can choose four classes from 28 topics.

Potting Shed University is offered only as a package of four classes plus a plated lunch at a cost of $45 per person.

A sampling of the topics includes: “ Heirloom Tomatoes: Love Apple or Wolf Peach?” presented by Patrick Byers at 8 a.m.; “Tricks to Feed and Attract Birds to Your Landscape” presented by Rebecca Nickols at 9 a.m.;  “Winter Sowing: Plant Seeds All Winter Long Without Taking Up Room Indoors” presented by Amy Green at 10 a.m.; “Sex, the Single Flower and You: What Good is a Butterfly?” presented by Sarah Dewey at 11 a.m.

It is possible to browse the other topics and register for Potting Shed University classes at missourimastergardener.org.

              

Potting Shed University is partnering with Springfield Food Day Celebration.

“All four tracks of the Potting Shed classes are applicable to the Food Day Celebration as each of them provides an element of food-related education,” said Gail Wright, chair of Potting Shed University. “Attending our classes puts you on a ‘fast track’ for getting your ‘Eat Real’ passport stamped four times in one day.”

A stamped passport gives Food Day participants free meal and beverage tickets at the final Harvest Party celebration on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Farmers Park Pavilion. For more information, go to foodaycelebration.org/harvest-party.

The public may also register for three-hour advanced training workshops (for as little as $5 each), garden tours and other events at the three-day state conference, hosted this year by the Master Gardeners of Greene County.

To view the full list of activities, go to missourimastergardener.org.  

More than 300 people from across the state have already registered. The conference will include motor coach tours of 22 of Springfield’s “most gorgeous private gardens,” according to Master Gardener Tom Lakowske. The tour will include the largest collection of dwarf conifers in southwest Missouri, soothing water gardens, cottage gardens and the Xeriscape garden on South National Avenue.

Members of the public can also choose from full-day tours from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.  or morning or afternoon half-day tours. 

For more information, e-mail info@missourimastergardener.org or call 417-414-0363.