Cecelia Brown and Jane Lundblad at an earlier annual spring seminar and plant sales for master gardeners. The personal event will also take place this year on Saturday, May 1st, in the Bicentennial Park. (Photo provided) Local gardeners work on Armstrong Garden near the Williamstown City Building. It is one of the projects that the Wood County Master Gardeners did. The Master Gardeners are holding their annual Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale at Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg on Saturday May 1st. (Photo provided) A local gardener works on a section of Armstrong Garden in Williamstown. The annual Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale will be held on Saturday May 1st at Parkersburg Bicentennial Park. Interested parties can come and buy plants and receive useful gardening tips. (Photo provided)
Climber’s Half Runner Beans at Heritage Garden in Williamstown. The annual Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale will be held on Saturday May 1st at Parkersburg Bicentennial Park. One of the topics discussed this year is “Fertilizing the vegetable garden”. (Photo provided)
Local gardeners working on Armstrong Gardens near the Williamstown City Building. It is one of the projects that the Wood County Master Gardeners did. The Master Gardeners are holding their annual Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale at Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg on Saturday May 1st. (Photo provided)
PARKERSBURG – People interested in gardening and interested in learning more can attend the Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sales on Saturday May 1st at the Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg.
Gardening has become even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study by Princeton University shows that the home vegetable garden can not only increase product consumption and physical activity, but is also linked to improved emotional wellbeing.
“The spring seminar is always a great learning experience” said Krista Rogers, president of the Wood County Master Gardeners. “The topics and speakers are so competent and I enjoy discussing gardening with other like-minded people.
“I look forward to this event every year.”
Last year, the annual event took place practically during the pandemic. There will be a face-to-face event this year and attendees will follow all COVID guidelines, including wearing masks, said JJ Barrett, Wood County’s Agricultural Extension Agent.
Climber’s Half Runner Beans at Heritage Garden in Williamstown. The annual Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale will be held on Saturday May 1st at Parkersburg Bicentennial Park. One of the topics discussed this year is “Fertilizing the vegetable garden”. (Photo provided)
“The Spring Gardening Seminar is a great educational opportunity for gardening enthusiasts of all ages in the Mid-Ohio Valley.” he said.
The event, sponsored by the Wood County Master Gardeners, will take place under the canopy across from the Wood County Courthouse next to the Blennerhassett Hotel and will begin at 12 noon.
A few speakers will be introduced at 1pm, including Dave Fleming of Greenleaf Landscaping and Barrett.
Fleming graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Plant and Soil Sciences and is an Ohio Certified Nursery Technician-Landscape. He has been with Greenleaf for 35 years.
He will discuss deer resistant plants with displays and examples.
A local gardener works on a section of Armstrong Garden in Williamstown. The annual Wood County Spring Gardening Seminar and Plant Sale will be held on Saturday May 1st at Parkersburg Bicentennial Park. Interested parties can come and buy plants and receive useful gardening tips. (Photo provided)
“We thought that would be a good topic because in recent years deer have been such a problem when it comes to plant damage.” Barrett said of gardens and ornamental plants.
Fleming will discuss plants that are deer resistant, giving some examples, as well as some examples of different sprays that are available to try to keep deer away. Some sprays contain a mixture of paprika, putrid egg odor, garlic, and other scents.
“It’s something that smells pretty bad and helps keep the deer away.” Said Barrett. “The thing is, a lot of these are sprays. If it rains you will have to reapply it.
“Many work, but they wear out. People have to keep up. “
Deer are a huge problem for many people in this area.
Cecelia Brown and Jane Lundblad at an earlier annual spring seminar and plant sales for master gardeners. The personal event will also take place this year on Saturday, May 1st, in the Bicentennial Park. (Photo provided)
Some other home remedies that people have used could be brought up.
Barrett will be teaching “Fertilize the vegetable garden” about ways to fertilize a vegetable garden, including how to deal with tomatoes and peppers versus cabbage and vegetables.
“I’m going to discuss some of the differences between commercial and organic fertilizers.” he said. “I will also talk about the importance of garden lime.”
Garden lime is a rock powder that is used to increase the pH value of soils.
Sometimes people apply too much nitrogen fertilizer, which can affect the formation of some vegetables. Barrett said that different vegetables require different amounts, while some people tend to treat everything with a single strategy.
The most popular vegetables that people grow are tomatoes, peppers, green beans, and corn.
It also provides tips for growing different types of vegetables, including staking out and dealing with various disease problems that many gardeners face.
Barrett says it can be difficult to understand the results of the WVU soil tests and match them with fertilizer requirements.
There are some big differences in fertilizer management for legumes like runner beans and garden favorites like tomatoes and peppers, he said, adding that sweet corn and another vegetable love provide extra nitrogen.
Plant sales will include a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, vegetable plants, flowers, garden tools, gardening books, and more, said Judy Benedetti, Master Gardener for Wood County, who organizes the sale.
Master gardeners are volunteers who are trained in small-scale food production, horticulture, and horticulture through a training course. These volunteers in turn share their knowledge with the community. Master gardeners conduct community-based gardening projects and help the public find solutions to gardening and horticultural problems.
The Wood County Library Arboretum, Armstrong Garden in Williamstown, the Boys and Girls Club Garden, and the Edison Arboretum are some of the projects the Master Gardeners are working on.
“The Master Gardener Program is a great way to expand your gardening knowledge not only for personal use, but also to enable a person to support their community through Master Gardener programs and efforts.” said Marty Seufer, master gardener for the Wood County Extension.
Barrett said a lot of people are looking forward to the seminar.
“People can drop by” he said. “This is the first event in a long time.
“We are cautiously optimistic. It’s a fun and educational event. “
Many people will actually start gardening outside in early May after Mother’s Day.
“People love their summer vegetables” Said Barrett.
He hopes people will get a lot of useful information from the event.
“I hope you get some good educational information” Said Barrett. “I know that anyone who enjoys gardening or landscaping their garden has problems.
“Everyone who loves the vegetable garden hopes they get various tips and tricks.”
Refreshments are served and door prizes are awarded. Due to the pandemic guidelines, the master gardeners will not split up their homemade food for eating. There will be bottled water and some prepackaged snacks.
Entry is free, but attendees are encouraged to contact the WVU Extension Office at 304-424-1960 or at jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu to register or for more information.
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