Monroe County Master Gardener Association

By Gail K.
As Master Gardeners-Advanced or Beginners: we are obligated to seek out educational
opportunities. This year, many of our membership attended the Growing Great Gardens
Seminar in Taylor, MI. Having attended this event (for the first time) last year; I opted to try
another seminar; just a 2 hr drive away-The Great Lakes Region-HOSTA COLLEGE in Piqua, Ohio.
From the onset, I noted some differences between the two.
Checking in at 7:30AM I could see a distinct difference in the age of the attendees. Many
appeared to be much more experienced in years than myself.

(registration, meet & greet and dining area)

Additionally, as I moved about the large meeting room which would serve as the dining area, I
could hear people calling out to each other as they renewed old relationships. Throughout the day
I would learn that attendees, vendors and speakers had come from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky
Pennsylvania and other states. A really wide variety of people & they all seemed to know each other.

A 2 day event-I only did the day with the classes.
Each class was an hour and I had 5 plus an hour of lunch. Felt
like I was right back in high school (ha ha) Although much of the focus was
on hostas-I had 64 topics I could choose from.

(just one table of hostas that were for sale in the vending area)

Many of the hosta classes filled quickly, as they allow membership to sign up first.
But despite having to wait to choose, I felt I had a wide array of topics to choose from.
I begin the day with a Hosta class, moved on to the Tall Bearded Iris, than I learned
to diversify my landscape (more so with trees & shrubs), then a lecture on
Trillium (this guy was from Michigan) and lastly 365 days of bloom-which had a focus
on Witch hazels. I loved the variety of classes and the #’s varied. Some classes were
full-30 people others only 10 or so. Made for very personal discussions.

Of course there were vendors– such as the one pictured above. Not as many, and not the variety
as the Growing Great Gardens. I did miss that aspect but I also spent less money on extras :).
There were booths from nurseries which brought along large stock plants such as trees and bushes.
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Then there were the artsy ones—

There was a booth which had loads of books, another with
photos
There was the booth with papercrete products (had a class
on this)–much lighter weight than hypertuffa….

It lacked the group speaker programs but all in all, I felt it was a quality program. I will admit
I did miss seeing and mingling with fellow gardeners I know (love catching those Kodak moments)
and despite not winning one of the many door prizes they offered –

I did leave with my free hosta (Wiggles & Squiggles) and a wealth of knowledge on new topics. I am
happy with my decision to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. Now if only spring would get here!!!
GK