Veggies the focus of April gardening symposium

MOSES LAKE — Vegetables will be the main topic of discussion at this year’s Eco-Gardening Symposium April 18. 

“It’s for backyard gardeners, but also for people who intensively garden a small plot of land, either for sale at farmers markets or for helping out at food banks,” Hastings said. 

The theme will be “From Seed to Table,” according to Sharon Hastings, who handles community outreach for the WSU Master Gardeners of Grant–Adams Counties. The symposium, now in its ninth year, is a joint effort of Master Gardeners and the Columbia Basin Conservation District.  

“We have a program that will cover all kinds of aspects, from growing vegetables in containers versus a garden itself,” said Master Gardener Diane Escure. “(We’ll cover) the whole process from start to finish, from the beginning of planting seeds to taking care of the vegetables during the summer, how to winterize at the end of a season (and) how to how to do some canning as well.” 

The opening keynote speaker will be Isaac Lnenicka, who farms a quarter-acre of vegetables in Soap Lake. He’ll discuss practical strategies for growing edible gardens in the Basin’s climate. 

“He’s an intensive farmer … with lots of great stories,” Hastings said. 

The closing speaker will be Judy Conlow, who will present “Lemurs and Wolves.” 

“(It’s) about different aspects of pollination and different sources of pollination other than those that people think about (like) bees or perhaps moths,” said Master Gardener Diane Escure. “There are all kinds of ways to pollinate a garden for successful production.” 

In between, there are eight breakout sessions, all geared toward folks who want to grow their own veggies. They’ll cover topics like irrigation, container gardening, pest management and food preservation. 

“One (session) will be a panel discussion from some of our Master Gardeners and others who have been successfully growing vegetables and fruits for quite a long time,” Escure said. “(It’s called) ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Vegetable Gardening.’” 

Besides the sessions, attendees can expect a gardening raffle with prize baskets, a selection of 15-20 vendors offering plant sales, soil testing and other services. The Master Gardeners will hold a plant clinic as well, to answer questions about any aspect of gardening. Attendees will be sent home with a take-home packet of gardening resources.  

There will be complimentary beverages and snacks, and box lunches will be available for $5. 

The event is free, but because of space limitations, attendance is capped at 200 people, Hastings said. Anyone interested in attending can register at https://bit.ly/Eco-Symposium26. 

“(When) food prices are very high, people become more interested in feeding their family from a garden,” Hastings said. “You can control what you’re feeding your family in terms of what’s in the soil and what’s been applied to the soil, and it just tastes so much, much better.” 

Eco-Gardening Symposium: From Seed to Table 

8:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 18 

Big Bend Community College ATEC Building
7611 Bolling St NE, Moses Lake 

https://bit.ly/Eco-Symposium26 

    Isaac Lnenicka, shown here at the Moses Lake Farmers Market, will be the opening keynote speaker at the Eco-Gardening Symposium April 18.