Connecticut Master Gardener Symposium Set for the Ides of March in Manchester

By Leslie Yager

Want to maximize your garden? Shady areas, attracting wildlife, rain gardens and more, the CMGA Symposium has something for everyone.

The Connecticut Master Gardener Association invites all horticultural enthusiasts to the 21st Annual Gardening Symposium “Lessons in Horticultural Diversity”. 

This daylong event, which is open to the public, will be held March 15, 2014 at Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT.

Carole Savilla Brown, a conservation biologist who believes conservation begins in your own back yard, kicks off the symposium with her talk, “Ecosytem in Gardening for Wildlife.” Known as The Ecosystem Gardener, Carole is the founder and managing editor of the team blogs Beautiful Wildlife Garden and Native Plant and Wildlife Gardens and Ecosystem Gardening.

The closing speaker will be Ed Bowen, whose RI nano-nursery, Opus, is focused on collecting, growing and propagating under cultivated and unusual perennials. His talk is titled, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”

Additional workshop speakers include favorites Michael Dietz, Nancy DuBrule-Clemente, Carol Gracie, Ellen Hoverkamp and Lee Reich.

For over 25 years CMGA has supported UConn’s Master Gardener program and horticultural projects throughout Connecticut through grants and scholarships. Your attendance at the symposium helps us fulfill these worthwhile activities.

The admission price of $65 for CMGA members and $85 for the general public includes a light breakfast, lunch, access to two workshops, speakers, vendors, and a silent auction. CMGA members can purchase tickets at the membership rate for their guests. We will also have CMGA merchandise for sale. Register online at the Master Gardeners Website.

Master Gardeners can earn two AMG educational credits by attending the symposium.

For additional information and to purchase tickets please go to our website, or contact Diana Ringelheim at (203) 372-8498, email: diana@ringleheim.com Find Master Gardeners on Facebook.