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PARKERSBURG -- For those with a passion for gardening or the desire to learn more, the Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale will be held Thursday, April 20, hosted by the Wood County Master Gardeners.
The event will be held at the Fort Boreman Room of the Judge Black Annex to the Wood County Courthouse at 317 Market St., Parkersburg.
The plant sale begins at 5 p.m. and the educational program begins at 6 p.m. This year there is a silent auction with fruit trees, hanging baskets and other items. The winners of the silent auction will be announced after the speakers are finished.
Light refreshments will be served and there will be plants available for purchase. There is no cost, but contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-424-1960 to register.
"The Spring Seminar is always a great learning experience" said Joyce McDougle, president of the Wood County Master Gardeners. "The food is always great, the topics and speakers are so knowledgeable and I enjoy discussing gardening with other like-minded people. I look forward to this event every year" she added.
The seminar has speakers and topics for gardeners of all ages and experience.
∫ John Burkhart from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources will be discussing "West Virginia Native Plants." Burkhart is a Heritage Botanist in the Wildlife Diversity Unit. In his work as a botanist, he manages and monitors endangered plant species, develops conservation priorities for the state's flora, and conducts outreach and provides extension to educate and promote native plants. He moved to West Virginia in 2008 to study forestry and botany and earned a master's degree in 2010 from WVU. He worked as an environmental scientist consulting to industry for many years and joined the DNR in 2021.
∫ Chris Chmiel will be discussing "All About Pawpaws". Chmiel and his wife Michelle operate Integration Acres in Albany, Ohio, and are one of the world's largest pawpaw processors and supplier of pawpaw products.
They also provide products including pawpaw products, spicebush berries, mushrooms, ramps and other forest-farmed crops.
He worked with other groups to organize the first Ohio Pawpaw Festival in 1999. The farm is also a regional hulling and buying location for Hammons Black Walnuts, headquartered in Stockton, Mo.
∫ J.J. Barrett from WVU Extension will talk about "Building Soil Fertility." Barrett will offer insight on matching soil test results to a good fertility program using available soil amendments including lime, compost, animal manures and commercial fertilizers.
"The Spring Gardening Seminar is a great educational opportunity gardening enthusiasts of all ages in the Mid-Ohio Valley" said Barrett, the Agriculture Agent for WV Extension in Wood County. "The speakers we have this year are phenomenal, plus the Seminar provides a great opportunity to network with other gardeners."
"Don't forget about the plant sale" said Wood County Master Gardener Lynn Greenly, "I enjoy my volunteer work as a Master Gardener helping with the plant sale. We will offer a variety of flowers, herbs, vegetables, gardening books, gardening tools and other items."
Master Gardeners are volunteers who are trained in small scale food production, horticulture, and gardening through our training course. These volunteers, in turn, share their knowledge with the community. Master Gardeners undertake community-based gardening projects such as the Wood County Library Arboretum and The Armstrong Garden in Williamstown and help the public find solutions to gardening and horticulture problems.
"The Master Gardener Program is a great way to enhance your gardening knowledge not only for personal use, but also to enable a person to assist their community through Master gardener programs and efforts" said Marcia Campbell of the Wood County Extension Master Gardeners.
To register for the seminar or for more information, contact J.J. Barrett, Agriculture Extension Agent at the Wood County WVU Extension Service Office at 304-424-1960 or jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu.