Gardening symposium is Saturday

HOUSTON — The fifth annual Spring Gardening Symposium is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday at Houston Middle School.

Sponsored by the North Root Big Lake Gardeners, the symposium will feature 30 expert gardening speakers, workshops, demonstrations, a vendor hall, raffle items, food, entertainment and a propagation room. Last year’s event drew more than 300 people and raised more than $12,000 for Mid-Valley Senior Center and Houston Middle School.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door.

This year’s speakers include:

• Teena Gerey of Homer, who will discuss plant choices for all-season color.

• Sally Koppenberg of Palmer will bring her VitaMix to the garden with samples and recipes.

• Amelia Walsh of Anchorage will talk about the hundreds of dahlias she grows in her Waterfall Garden.

• Dan Elliott of Wasilla will demonstrate grafting fruit trees.

• Diane Pleninger of Anchorage will talk about mushrooms and show examples.

• Florene Carney and LeEllen Baker will demonstrate concrete leaf construction.

• Carmel Tyvser will discuss the beauty and uses of hypertufa troughs and demonstrate their construction.

• Ellen Vande Visse will talk about green cover crops.

• Glacier Peony Farm of Homer will discuss the opportunities and pitfalls of peony farming.

• Master Beekeeper Tom Elliot will talk about the joys of beekeeping.

For more information, contact Linda Lockhart at 240-8116 or visit NorthRoot.net.