SUGARCREEK, Ohio — April Showers Greenhouse will host a garden central symposium and organic vegetable conference, “Cultivate Your Passions,” a day of lectures on design, plants and garden style, at 3 p.m. Jan. 15-16 at the Carlisle Inn of Sugarcreek.
The symposium will examine timeless principles of design — whether applied to the creation of a residential garden or a public space — that connect us to the natural world and in so doing, fulfill our desires for association with our surrounding environment.
The symposium honors the educators of Ohio State University and the Ohio Farm Bureau, leaders in the field of horticulture, by engaging the public in a conversation about the importance of growing fruit and vegetable gardens with the value and ideals to the beautiful things that grow in abundance around us.
Speakers
Justin Marotta, the internationally noted Fuchsia grower, will demonstrate how to use color, texture and form in backyard gardening needs and Scott Kollman, a regionally known plant and propagation specialist, will introduce unusual plants that work together effectively for containers and small spaces.
Certified organic produce grower Ruth Hale will speak on designing vegetable gardens for effective canning and preserving needs, and Huron’s finest herb grower, Karen Langen, will teach the traditions of culinary and medicinal herbs.
The Inn and Spa at Honey Run and Dante’s Pizza and Paste House will give demonstrations on the details of gourmet cooking from the fruits and labor of your backyards.
Cost
Cost is $125 per person before Jan. 14 and $150 per person after Jan. 14. Prices include breakfast, lunch, Amish family-style dinner, all symposium and conference sessions and a one-night stay at Carlisle Inn. Overnight accommodation prices are based on four people occupancy. The price is adjusted accordingly: three person occupancy, $150 per person; two person occupancy, $175 per person and one person occupancy, $200 per person.
The cost of the one-day conference is $55 and includes all meals and sessions on Saturday. The senior and student rate is $30 for the conference and includes all meals and sessions on Saturday with a photo I.D.
Short courses
For those who cannot attend the two-day conference, a set of short courses has been developed by April Showers Greenhouse to provide instruction in basic gardening practices.
The Basic Horticulture Course is a series of six, one-day classes designed to give basic information to novice as well as experienced gardeners.
More information
For more information, contact Hale at April Showers Greenhouse, 7464 Old Route 39 N.W., Sugarcreek, OH 44681, call 330-852-7464 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or e-mail ruththegrower@aol.com.
