BY BILL BRADLEY
Got the urge to get gardening this spring but need to know more?
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Carole Holla at Holla?s Produce and Greenhouses in Blezard Valley prepares for the gardening festival at Market Square. |
There?s lots to see and hear to whet your earthy desires at Sudbury?s first Garden Festival, starting today at 2 pm and continuing Saturday and Sunday at Market Square on Elm Street.
The inaugural event has been organized by the Lung Association, but they have many community partners.
The Sudbury Horticultural Society will host its popular African violet show, From Small Beginnings Come Great Things, all weekend.
Throughout the festival a dozen master gardeners will be available to answer questions. Other local experts, such as Dan Chaput from Science North and landscape architect Mark Elliot, will be doing presentations.
In addition, 30 vendor booths will have the latest in gardening tools, garden décor and twig furniture.
Today (Friday) has been designated seniors? day with a special workshop on adaptive gardening for people with a physical disability.
Sudburians are also in for a major treat at the kick-off luncheon today at noon at the Howard Johnson on Brady Street. Ken Beattie, one of Canada?s
nationally known gardeners, who gardens in cold climates, will share information with the audience.
Beattie, a veteran of numerous television appearances, and gardening workshop presentations, hails from the frigid Prairies. He has been a professional horticulturalist for 25 years, becoming manager of horticulture for the city of Regina. Sask. He has contributed numerous articles to Canadian Gardening magazine and is the author of gardening books.
?It is so important that we have top experts here who know what we as gardeners are up against in terms of very cold weather. We need to know what grows best here,? said Claire Pollesel, area manager for the Lung Association.
?Ask Ken all your gardening questions and have him sign your copy of his latest book available at the luncheon,? said Pollesel.
Weekend passes for the Garden Festival are $5. Lunch with Ken Beattie, included in the weekend pass, is $30.
Luncheon tickets are available at Black Cat Too downtown on Durham St., Studio Flowers at 1610 Regent St., Applecart Collectibles at 721 Ontario St. or by the phoning Lung Association at 673-3116.
