Dirt Divas planning a seed swap

Need a kick start towards spring? Join us Saturday for The Dirt Divas Spring Seed Swap! Not only will there be seeds from all over private gardens in the Valley (yours included, of course) but also speakers and garden-related venders.

The event will be held at The Red Beet, 320 E Dahlia in old town Palmer, located between the borough building and the library. It begins at 11 a.m. and continues through 2 p.m. with a presenter at the top of each hour. And it’s free. Well, almost — bring seeds and you’re in.

At 11 a.m., Becky Myrvold will present “Smart Perennial Choices for South Central Alaska.” Becky has worked as the head gardener at the Alaska State Fair for many years. She started there as a gardener shortly after earning her degree in ornamental horticulture, eventually becoming head gardener – a coveted position she has retained for many years. If you have ever visited the fair and been astounded at the flower displays, garden designs and plantings, you have Becky to thank. Her knowledge and ability are hard to match. Make sure to take careful notes then wander the seed selections to find those seeds she recommends.

Brooke Heppinstall from Woolwood Studio & Gardens in Palmer will present at noon. Known more affectionately as one of the Divas, this Saturday she’ll be your expert on turning old containers into works of art with copper, paint and other decorative elements. “Contain Yourself” is her subject, demonstrating container renovation with the creation of a rustic twig planter. As an artist and nursery owner, Brooke has taught classes on twig structures and art in the garden for a number of years. Her work has been shown in the Valley and Anchorage on many occasions. To seal your enthusiasm for twigs, Dirt Divas Hally and Brooke will make miniature twiggy pot trellises that will be available at the swap.

At 1 p.m.,, Dorte Mobley will present “Growing Dahlias in Alaska.” Dorte is the undisputed Dahlia expert of the Valley. Danish by birth, she has been living in Wasilla for many years with her family and an enormous garden of mostly dahlias. She has been an active member of the gardening community since moving here, including holding past officer positions for both the Valley Master Gardeners and the Valley Garden Club. Those fortunate enough to have had Dorte take them under her wing on dahlia growing in the past, can attest to the value of her knowledge. She will demonstrate dahlia division during her presentation and her talk will be augmented by many dahlia tubers available for sale at this event.

Our final speaker, at 2 p.m.,, is sure to be the clincher of the day. Linda Lockhart from the North Roots Garden Club in Big Lake will present “Flats in Five — Speed Planting Annuals.” Linda and her husband John plant thousands of annuals in their garden each spring and live to tell about it. Her secrets can soon be yours. Linda’s and John’s garden is featured in the March issue of Alaska Home Magazine, which we hope will be on the stands by Saturday’s event. Linda will show you how to achieve rocket speed, efficiency and beauty as well as share some fabulous photos of her garden. As a professional photographer, her images will inspire you to plant thousands of your own annuals.

We are also honored to have Hazel Koppenberg, owner of Three Branches in Palmer, as a vender for this event. Her gardener’s soaps, salves and lotions have kept our hands healed for years, and now they can help you. She makes her products in small, careful batches with herbs, vegetables and natural oils. Hazel has a wealth of knowledge, not only on soap making, but also on annuals, so come ready to pick her brain.

To finish the day, or perhaps start it, The Red Beet is preparing a special Gardener’s Lunch, available at any time you feel a need for it from 11:30 a.m., onward. While not revealing the menu until Saturday, this fresh, fabulous lunch will be sure to leave you hoping for a wee bit more. And just in case all these enticements still leave you on the fence, The Garden Gate Shop adjacent to The Red Beet will have special give-aways for the day. If you would like further information on this event, please call a Diva at 745-4050, 746-3606 or 376-0909.

Sally Koppenberg is a gardener and the owner of Stonehill Gardens, a nursery specializing in Alaska Grown trees, shrubs, perennials and native plants. Contact her at gardener@mtaonline.net.