Annual Columbia Basin Eco-Gardening Symposium taking signups
Laurie Berens/courtesy photo - Susan Gray was one of four speakers at the 2017 Columbia Basin Eco-Gardening Symposium in Moses Lake. The event drew close to 100 registrants. Susan’s topic was square foot gardening. She focused on the principles and practices, benefits, and rewards of using square foot gardening (raised beds) for use in small spaces.
The Grant-Adams Master Gardeners and Grant County Conservation District is conducting a half-day gardening workshop at the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center, 900 E. Yonezawa Blvd. in Moses Lake Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The theme of the event is Swing into Spring.
A trio of accomplished speakers is scheduled. Allan Felsot, a Washington State University Entomology and Environmental Toxicologist from Richland, will discuss pesticides in the garden. He will talk about the need for pesticides and if it pays to use them, explain the principles of Integrated Pest Management for home gardens, and how to read a chemical product label and implement the directions explained.
Second on the docket is Karen Lewis, the regional tree fruit extension agent, who will speak about managing home orchards. Karen’s talk is centered on: Fruit Trees in Your landscape? It’s Complicated. She will focus on the challenges in growing and maintaining fruit trees in home gardens.
Washington State University Horticulture Professor Linda Chalker-Scott will close the program out with a fascinating talk on dispelling common garden myths. Her topic is titled Garden Zombies: Horticultural Myths That Will Not Die. The talk will provide home gardeners with guidelines to evaluate articles, books and electronic resources on products and practices of interest objectively.
The event will be accompanied by door prizes, a vendor marketplace, and refreshments provided free of charge. Space is limited so applicants are encouraged to pre-register as soon as possible through Grant County Conservation District by calling (509) 765-9618, by signing up in person, registering online at http://www.columbiabasincds.org, or my mail to the Conservation District office at 1107 S. Juniper Drive, Moses Lake 98837.
For answers to gardening questions, contact the Master Gardeners at the WSU Grant-Adams Extension office at 754-2011, Ext. 4313 or email your gardening questions to ga.mgvolunteers@wsu.edu. Visit our web page at http://grant-adams.wsu.edu for more information on the Master Garndner Program.