HUTCHINSON - A day filled with free gardening information for homeowners and gardeners has been scheduled for Saturday, March 9. The Hutchinson Horticulture Club organizes and sponsors this event as their educational project for the community. It will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 407 East 12th St. just west of the Cosmosphere. After missing two years because of Covid, the Club held one last year.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with the morning session beginning at 9 a.m. The first topic is Herbs – Growing, Using and Abusing by Kay Neff of Neff Family Farm located outside Sedgwick. She has been growing herbs for 35 years. Her program will include growing tips for several common herbs and she’ll give suggestions and some recipes for using them. At 10 a.m., Fall Gardening – Extend your Gardening Season will be presented by James Taylor, retired instructor of Hutchinson Community College. His program will highlight vegetables and some flowers that do really well in cooler fall weather. He’ll provide a planting schedule and planting tips so gardeners can enjoy fresh produce after others have quit for the year. The last presentation for the morning will begin at 11 a.m. Jarrod Bornholdt, of Bornholdt Plantland, has arranged for Eric George, a Monrovia Sales Representative from Paola, to present New and Newer Perennials, Shrub Roses and Other Shrubs. He will have suggestions for sunny and shady spots in the yard that might make friends jealous.
The afternoon programs will resume at 1 p.m. with Krista Dahlinger from Mulvane, an officer of the Kansas Native Plant Society, addressing the topic of Less Lawn – More Habitat. She will present ideas on how low growing native plants can reduce watering and create a pollinator paradise in your yard. She will share lots of “how-to” resources. At 2 p.m., Rob Mortko, of Made in the Shade Gardens, Olathe, will speak about Hostas: Everything You Want to Know About America’s Most Popular Perennial. He is a nationally recognized Hosta expert and is known as “The Hosta Guy.” He has been a Hosta aficionado for over 35 years. The last presentation of the day begins at 3 p.m. Success in Making Colorful Containers will be covered by Jason French, Retail Manager and Plant Specialist at Stutzmans Greenhouse. He will talk about containers, soil, fertilizer and have a handout listing recommended combinations of plants to use in containers in sun and shade locations.
There will be no charge to attend any of the “Gathering for Gardeners” programs although registration at the door is requested. Door prize drawings will be held though out the day. This schedule is designed so individuals may attend any or all of the topics.
