Here are the majority of speakers, where they are from and their topics for this year's Spring Gardening Symposium. Please see the previous posting for more specific information about the event.

This year each speaker will make their presentation twice. That way you will have more than one opportunity to hear what they have to say. I have tried very hard to bring you the very best speakers in the Southcentral area as well as some exciting specialists from as far away as Anchorage and Homer. Please be sure to express your appreciation to these generous individuals for their support for this event. Without them, the Symposium would not happen!

There may be a few minor adjustments to this schedule prior to the event. Please print out this list and compare it with your program when you get to the Symposium in case there is a change to something you wish to see.

Don't forget to purchase your ticket in advance! Tickets locations are listed in the previous web posting (scroll down til you find it). Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door. All proceeds go to the Mid-Valley Senior Center and the Houston Middle School.

A few vendor spaces are still available. If you are interested, please hit the contact button at the top of this page and the Vendor Coordinator will get in touch with you asap.

So without further ado:

COMMONS

11:45 to 12:30 Repeat 12:45 to 1:30
Vita Mix it Up in the Garden
Sally Koppenberg, The Red Beet Bistro, Stonehill Garden, Palmer
Garden treats fresh from the field. RAW juicing, salads to vinegars, lots of intriguing, healthy uses for all those veggies you grow. Fresh, new ideas that will make your mouth water. Sally Koppenberg is a gourmet cook, owner of The Red Beet Bistro and Stonehill Garden in Palmer.

1:45 to 2:30
Commons area open

2:45 to 3:30 Repeat 3:45 to 4:30
Great Plant Combinations, Spring through Fall
Teena Garay, Homer
Passionate plants woman Teena Garay is on a never-ending search for the best plants for the garden. She's been gardening since she was a child, and has spent the past twenty years shaping landscapes in Homer. Her first garden there was featured in both Sunset and Horticulture magazines. Five years ago she bravely started a new garden in Homer. Here Teena Garay will discuss some of her favorite plants, and tell how she selects satisfying combinations for every season. Tips for growing plants well and finding the right spot for them will also be offered as well as sources.

ROOM 101 (Band Room) BETTER SOILS

9:45 to 10:30 Repeat 10:45 to 11:30
Green Manures and Cover Crop Strategies
Ellen Vande Visse, www.goodearthgardenschool.com
Ellen is one of the gurus of gardening here in the Valley. Her methods are sound and her presentation unique. Green manures and cover crops are her favorite ways to enrich the soil. With just a bit of effort (spreading seeds is easier than spreading compost or manure) in one season your soil will be enriched and ready to produce bumper crops of veggies.

11:45 to 12:30 Repeat 12:45 to 1:30
Composting and Soil Building in Southcentral Alaska
Jeff Smeenk, U of A Cooperative Extension Service
Want to know how to compost? How to test your soil and improve it for best performance? Here is the man to ask.  Jeff Smeenk is the Commercial Horticulture Specialist for the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service. He works out of the Palmer Research and Extension Center. In addition to working with vegetable production and season extension, Jeff has also worked with using compost to improve soil quality.

1:45 to 2:30 Repeat 2:45 to 3:30
Humified Compost, Uses and Benefits
Mark Fisher, Susitna Organics, Pt. McKenzie, www.susitnaorganics.com
What is the most beneficial thing you can do as a gardener to improve your soil? Add compost. The better the compost, the better your results. Mark Fisher moved his family here from the east coast just to make a great product for the gardeners of Southcentral. With rave reviews from veggie gardeners to botanical gardens, Mark will share his knowledge of the preparation and uses of his "black gold."

ROOMS 102/103 WET WORKSHOPS

9:45 to 10:30 Repeat 10:45 to 11:30
Big Leaves to Grace Your Garden
Florene Carney, Snowfire Garden
Join one of Southcentral's Rockin' Rockgardeners as she demonstrates the construction of concrete leaves that may be used as birdbaths, stepping stones, edgings, and lots more. Just where did those BIG leaves come from this time of year? Come and see!

12:45 to 1:30 Presentation--Part 1
1:45 to 2:30 Demonstration–Part 2
Repeats
2:45 to 3:30 Presentation--Part 1
3:45 to 4:30 Demonstration–Part 2
Hypertufa What? Troughs–The Inspiration & The Demonstration
Carmel Tyvser
Join Carmel for her inspiring presentation of Hypertufa troughs, what they are, how they are used and just how cool they are (Part 1). Then stick around for the second portion of the presentation in the Wet Room where she will demonstrate the construction of an actual trough (Part 2). This is a don't miss presentation.

ROOM 110  BONES & STONES

10:45 to 11:30 Repeat 11:45 to 12:30
Working with a Landscape Architect
TBD

12:45 to 1:30 Repeat 1:45 to 2:30
Building the Rock Ridge
Fritz Hoffman, Rockridge Services, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fritz Hoffman has been working for over 8 years with gardeners to build their dream yards. He specializes in spectacular stone work using raw stone, fitted stones, and recycled materials. Just as good bone structure makes a beautiful human, good bones are an investment in beautiful garden design. Fritz will share with you the beauty of the basics in stone design which can be the "Bones of Your Garden."

2:45 to 3:30 Repeat 3:45 to 4:30
Stones of Inspiration
Sally Koppenberg, The Red Beet Bistro, Stonehill Garden, Palmer
Come be inspired by the beautiful photos of stone and rocks in gardens from all over the world as well as Alaska. Cobbles, paths, steps, walls, dry waterways, bridges, patios, balanced stone art, sculptures and more.

ROOM 111 ORCHIDS, FRUITS & LILACS

9:45 to 10:30 Repeat 10:45 to 11:30
Repot Those Crowded Orchids
Pat Tremaine, Master Gardener
Master Gardener Pat Tremaine has a thing for orchids. Let's face it, so do many of us. Is it the beauty of the flowers? The fact that they imitate their pollinators? That they are so exotic or what? In any case, they do need to be re-potted to continue the health of the plant. Pat has some tricks and techniques for planting up as well as a special recipe for "orchid mix" that she will share with you.

11:45 to 12:30 Repeat 12:45 to 1:30
Tree Grafting Demo
Dan Elliott, Master Gardener, Past President Alaska Fruit Growers Association
Have a fruit tree that you would like to have more of? Never done any grafting? Here is your opportunity to see a master at work. Dan Elliot will demonstrate the skills needed to successfully graft fruit trees to hardy root stock.

1:45 to 2:30 Repeat 2:45 to 3:30
Lovely Lilacs
Irene Downes
Lilacs not blooming? In decline? Here's not only how to perk them up, but how to prune properly, as well as how to divide and make more! Spring is the perfect time to kick-start one of our most beloved blooming trees.

ROOM 112 GARDEN ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS

9:45 to 10:30 Repeats 10:45 to 11:30
Becoming the First Firewise Community in Alaska
Cathi Kramer
When the devastating Miller's Reach fire hit Horseshoe Lake, there was little left. Resident Cathi Kramer was instrumental in making their re-built community the first Firewise one in the state of Alaska. With tons of volunteer coordination, funding, and hard work, this is now one of the safest places to be if a wild fire strikes. Cathi will share the trials and tribulations as well as the triumphs of implementing the Firewise program.

11:45 to 12:30 Repeat 12:45 to 1:30
Raingardens and Storm Water Alternative
Catherine Inman, Program Manager, Wasilla Soil & Water Conservation District
Ever wonder where all that run-off goes when we have a rainstorm in the fall? Catherine Inman offers her expert advice on what to do with all that water, as well as how to keep your lakefront and groundwater clean--all while making a beautiful garden to show for it!

1:45 to 2:30 Repeat 2:45 to 3:30
Alaska Botanical Garden and the Gold Medal Peony Collection
Julianne McGuinness and Pat Ryan
The largest botanical garden in Alaska resides in a beautiful setting in Anchorage. If you've never been there you need to make a visit this summer. Through thousands of volunteer hours and zillions of plants, these folks make choosing plants for your own garden less of a challenge. From perennials to annuals, trees and shrubs, the plants that will grow in this region are lovingly tended and shown at their best. Julianne will speak about the garden in general over the years and Pat Ryan will tell you about the new Gold Medal Peony Collection that has been turning heads in the gardening community.

3:45 to 4:30 Repeat 4:45 to 5:30
Master Gardener Program
Speaker TBD
Gardening is now the number one outdoor activity in America. The Master Gardener Program is second only to the Red Cross in volunteers and trained amateurs. Come and find out more about this program and how you can become a Master Gardener.

ROOM 113  GARDEN ART DEMOS

10:45 to 11:30 Repeat 11:45 to 12:30
Glass Towers
Brooke Heppinstall, Woolwood Garden and Studio, Palmer
Gleaming towers of beautiful glass objects all held together by magic! Brooke will demonstrate the construction of these glittering additions to your garden.

1:45 to 2:30 Repeat 2:45 to 3:30
Woven Willows
Cheri Ables, Basket Case Beadz, Big Lake
A repeat performance from this talented artist. Cheri works with living willows to create some very unusual pieces as they grow. Here she will demonstrate how it is done with live plants. (This demonstration will depend on Cheri's health–please check location to be sure the demo will be taking place).

3:45 to 4:30 Repeat 4:45 to 5:30
Trellis Construction
Speaker TBD
Simple trellises from materials you have around the garden. What to do when your clematis needs something to climb on! (this demo may replace the Woven Willow Demonstration depending on speaker health–please check location for which demo will be taking place and when).

ROOM 115  FAVORITE PERENNIALS

10:45 to 11:30 Repeats 11:45 to 12:30
Peony–Alaska's New Production Flower and Home Garden Standby
Shelley Rainwater and Chris Graupe, Glacier Peonies LLC, Homer
Glacier Peonies is a member of the Alaska Peony Growers Association, they are also members of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market and the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers. They have over 1,000 peonies planted at their farm in Homer and are members of the Kenai Peninsula Peony Growers. With their fingers on the pulse of this burgeoning horticultural crop for Alaska, they will share their knowledge about variety selection, growth and production, and memberships in these groups and more.

12:45 to 1:30 Repeat 1:45 to 2:30
Tough as Nails Perennials
Brooke Heppinstall, Woolwood Garden & Studio, Palmer
Brooke has been growing a huge variety of perennials at her garden in Palmer for years. She knows what works and what doesn't. Join her for a discussion of the hardiest and most beautiful varieties of lilies, roses, sedum, veronicas, delphiniums and much, much more. If you are tired of buying big box plants that die every year, Brooke has the plants that will make it through our sometimes harsh climate.

2:45 to 3:30 Repeats 3:45 to 4:30
Dahlias of Waterfall Garden
Amelia Walsh, Waterfall Garden, Anchorage
The passion in the garden for Amelia Walsh is beautiful dahlias. Each year she grows hundreds of her favorite flowers. Join Amelia for a beautiful slide presentation that will amaze and inspire you to start these easy-to-grow plants that have blossoms the size of thimbles to dinner plates in every color and type imaginable. She will also show you how to divide tubers to increase your collection. Side note: Amelia will be running the Alaska Heart Run in Anchorage on the morning of her presentation. Way to go Amelia!

ROOM 116  FUNGI, BEES & PROBLEM SOLVERS

9:45 to 10:30 Repeats 10:45 to 11:30
Mushrooms, Fungi and other Goodies (and Baddies)
Diane Pleninger, Mycologist, international award-winning essayist
Diane Pleninger is the international award winning author of "Interview with a Fungus" which brought her much notoriety in the mushroom (and writing) world. She frequently hosts mushroom walks and talks at the Alaska Botanical Garden and the Palmer Hay Flats. Please join her for this lively fungus discussion.

11:45 to 12:30 Repeat 12:45 to 1:30
Just Ask Jay
Jay Dearborn, Hortus Borealis
When we contacted Jay about speaking for the Symposium, he jumped in with both feet and said, "I think I can help folks with any garden questions or problems they are having." So here is your chance to ask questions of a Master Gardener's Master Gardener. Tomatoes not producing? Apple trees looking a bit frayed? Lilacs not blooming? Potato problems? Just Ask Jay.

1:45 to 2:30 Repeat 2:45 to 3:30
Bees in His Bonnet
Tom Elliot, Master Beekeeper, Alaska State Beekeepers Association
Tom has been keeping bees in Alaska for over 30 years. He will give a brief examination of what honeybees are and how they live. This early in the season he won't be able to bring live bees (that might be a good thing!) but he will bring photos and sample equipment available for your inspection.

ROOM  120  THE PROPAGATION ROOM

10:45 to 4:30
Making More of What You Want
Seed Exchange
Hosted by Jaime Rodriguez, Alpine Garden Nursery
This room will be dedicated to propagation in it's many forms. Dividing tubers, scaling bulbs, cuttings, perennial division, starting seeds, and whatever else you would like to know. Want more petunias? Here will be the answer to making many more from a donor plant. How about that beautiful, scented geranium? Easy to make lots more. Dahlia tubers over-running the bounds of the pots you have them in? Here's how to divide them and increase your collection or share with friends. Air-layering shrubs, leaf starts, hardwood cuttings and lots more. Jaime will be available most of the day to answer questions and help you understand how easy propagation is (that is if you are patient–not for those who demand immediate results!).

Also in this room find a seed exchange table. Bring your excess seeds and trade for something different. Not too late to start most annuals or veggie seeds.

ROOM 123 VERMICULTURE, TOMATOES and POTATOES

10:45 to 11:30 Repeats 11:45 to 12:30
Vermiculture, Worm Wrangling, A Casting Call for Your Garden
Gene Bachus
Gene has to be the biggest worm enthusiast on the planet. He is so excited to share his experience of worm farming with the gardening community, every time we see him he is bursting with something new! Take apart a working worm bin and see what's going on inside. Worm castings and compost tea made from those castings can be powerful amendments to your garden, just come and see Gene to know why.

12:45 to 1:30 Repeats 1:45 to 2:30
Tomatoes, Inside and Out
Mary Harris, Matanuska Gardens
From seed to fruit, tomatoes are one of the most challenging things to grow in Alaska. If you choose wisely and follow the words of the experienced, you will find this challenge well worthwhile in the production of some of the sweetest summer fruit you will ever find. Mary Harris will share with you the secrets of good tomato husbandry from starting seeds to ripening green fruit for winter use.

2:45 to 3:30 Repeats 3:45 to 4:30
Health Benefits of Potatoes
Art Petersen
Potatoes are the second largest source of vitamin C for most Americans. With new varieties and a wealth of knowledge, Art Petersen will bring you up-to-date on varieties you didn't know were available in Alaska. He will also have a list of locations where you can purchase seed potatoes for these new varieties.

For further information please contact 907-892-8119 or (better) click the Contact tab at the top of this website. THANKS!