Gardening Saturday, takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Canadian Mennonite University, 500 Shaftesbury Blvd. Pre-register by May 1 for workshops and/or keynote presentation by calling 837-4324 or visit www.friendsconservatory.com for specific workshop time-table
1. Soil and Nutritional Challenges for Manitoba Gardeners:
Dr. Jim Bole, Soil Specialist, prof. At U of M (retired) discusses the particular nature of the soil Manitoba Gardeners contend with.
2. Pruning - The Kindest Cut:
Mike Allen Certified ISA, Arborist with Viburnum Tree Experts, explains the hows and whys of pruning deciduous shrubs and trees, and the importance of heritage trees.
3. The Eco-Lawn - Finally Green Grass!:
Dave Hanson of Sage Garden Herbs covers the specific benefits of planting this 'green'seed, with a focus on why it is so well suited to Manitoba, and how it dramatically reduces the effort to keep your lawn beautiful.
4. Laying out the Garden:
Colleen Watson, of Watson Designs in Landscaping, landscape architect, provides pointers for planning your garden and your yard to make the most of your space.
5. Building Garden Structures:
Daryl Fowler of McMunn & Yates Building Supplies provides pointers for constructing arbors and other garden structures.
6. Container Gardening:
Carlos Ferreira, garden designer, describes the practical and creative aspects of container gardens.
7. Tree-Banding Demystified:
Samantha Mutchmor, of the Coalition to Save the Elms, explains and answers questions on why, how and when to band trees to protect our priceless resource.
8. Native Plants in the Garden:
Shirley Froehlich of Prairie Originals shows the benefits of including indigenous plants in our gardens, especially to attract butterflies, bees, birds and beneficial insects.
9. Traditional Plant Remedies Using Indigenous Plants: Coleen Rajotte, award-winning filmmaker, journalist, host of Vitality Gardening, presents a workshop on gathering wild plants for traditional remedies.
10. The Veggie Garden Updated:
Jeannette Adams, Master Gardener, describes a vegetable garden 'not in a straight row' and offers ideas and advice on incorporating vegetables with companion planting in the urban yard.
11. What's New! What's Hot!:
Dorothie Dobbie, publisher of Manitoba Gardener and host of the CJOB's Sunday Garden Show, moderates a panel of owners of Winnipeg's three leading garden centres -- Jan Pederson of Shelmerdine's, Carla Hrycyna of St. Mary's and Harry Schreimer of Schriemer's -- on this year's favourite and newest plants.
12. Understanding Small Engines and Choosing the Right Tool: Alvin Rueckert, Territory Manager of Husqvarna Canada Corp. and Randy Huebner, Allcraft Mechanical will show how to do small repairs and maintenance on your lawnmower and other garden machines.
13. Pond Installation and Maintenance:
Jane Zoutman, creator of two and renovator of four ponds at Fort Whyte Centre, gives advice to first-time water feature builders and new inspiration to the owners of existing ones.
14. The Alien Invasion:
Jane Seniw, certified arborist, identifies invasive plant and insect pests arriving with climate change.
15. Bee Smart!:
John Russell, vice president of the Red River Apiarists Association, discusses the vital nature of bee pollination, the impact and background of 'colony collapse disorder' and offers advice on beekeeping for the hobbyist.
16. Plant Propagation:
Linda Stilkowski, Winnipeg Free Press garden columnist, offers tips and techniques for successfully making new plants, including seed-sowing, the numerous types of cuttings and layering, divisions and grafting.
17. Organic Solutions for the Garden:
Reena Nerbas, author of three books -- Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions; Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets and Household Solutions 3 the Green Edition -- gives organic household solutions for garden pests.
18. Mighty MYKE - Garden Superhero!:
Arlene Wheeler, noted garden speaker and store manager of Schriemer's Home and Garden Centre, explains the importance of the fungi mycorrhiza in the garden.
19. Bringing the Indoors Out!:
Tara MacTavish, interior designer and owner of Changes by Design, offers advice on creating garden rooms for relaxing and entertaining.
20. Thrifty Gardening:
Linda Dietrick shows how to create beautiful gardens on tight budgets.
21. Photography in the Garden:
Damien Bilinsky, education trainer at Don's Photo, gives advice on how to permanently record those magical moments in the garden.
22. Toxic Plants:
Dr. Eva Pip of the University of Winnipeg explains the deadly nature of some of our most beautiful garden plants.
23. Make the most of your entrance: Sharlene Neilsen of Front Door Stories gives advice, design tips, and answers questions on containers and plants to enhance your entrance.
24. Lighting the Garden:
Bret Robinson of Robinson Lighting gives pointers on creating night magic in your garden.
Learn from the experts on a wealth of workshop subjects from plant propagation, organic pest management, pruning techniques to beekeeping.
