UConn To Present Garden Conference

STORRS — The University of Connecticut will sponsor a garden conference on Friday, March 14. The conference will be held at the Lewis B. Rome Commons on the Storrs campus.

This all-day conference will offer exciting educational opportunities for home gardeners at all interest levels from the casual gardener to the garden enthusiast to the Advanced Master Gardener.

This year’s featured speaker is Rick Darke, a noted garden designer, photographer, lecturer and author of numerous gardening books on sustainable design and ornamental grasses. Mr Darke will be speaking on “Livable Landscapes for a Changing Environment.”  

Jennifer Bartley, a landscape architect, author and illustrator from Granville, Ohio, will speak on “Designing the New Kitchen Garden,” based on her new book.

Kerry Mendez, the proprietor of Perennially Yours in Ballston Spa, N.Y., and a garden consultant, designer, writer, teacher and lecturer, will also be a guest speaker. Her presentation will be entitled “Don’t be a Deadhead! Surefire Maintenance Shortcuts for Showcase Gardens.”

Ellen Zachos, proprietor of Acme Plant Stuff in New York City as well as a lecturer and author of several books, will speak on “Gardening in Deer Country.”

Scott Reil, certified Connecticut nurseryman and corporate trainer for SafeLawns and Landscapes LLC, will speak on “Organic Lawn and Garden Care.”

There is an early registration fee of $80 per person if postmarked on or before March 7. The fee is $90 per person if postmarked after March 7. Checks should be payable to the University of Connecticut. Registration is limited and nonrefundable.  

Checks should be mailed to Richard McAvoy, University of Connecticut, Department of Plant Science, 1376 Storrs Road – Unit 4067, Storrs CT 06269-4067.  Included in the cost of admission are an information packet with session summaries, parking, lunch, snacks and beverages, opportunities to purchase selected autographed books, and a wide array of gardening books.

For additional information contact Mr McAvoy at 860-486-0627 or Richard.McAvoy@UConn.edu. Information is also available at hort.uconn.edu/2008garden.