Jul 12, 2007

MSU To Sponsor Garden Day EventSource: MSU

Michigan State University will sponsor Garden Day on Aug. 10, 2007, at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and features two guest speakers and a variety of workshops.

The morning keynote address will be presented by Sharon Lovejoy and will feature cottage gardens in Britain and the United States. She will offer advice about creating your own beautiful gardens, whether they fill an estate or a window box. Lovejoy is an author, illustrator and lifelong gardener and is the author and illustrator of seven books on gardening and nature. Additionally, she has contributed to six other books, including The New Book of Knowledge. Lovejoy has also been a guest on the Today show, the Victory Garden on PBS, HGTV, the Discovery Channel, the Do-It-Yourself Network, National Public Radio programs and presented lectures throughout the United States for over 20 years.

The second speaker is Brad Rowe, MSU associate professor of horticulture. Rowe directs MSU’s green roof research program and is the founding chair of the International Green Roofs for Healthy Cities research committee. He will deliver the afternoon keynote on green roof technology. Green roof technology holds great potential to save energy, reduce greenhouse gases and lower the temperature of urban areas. In addition to his work at MSU, Rowe has also been involved with designing and installing the world’s largest green roof at Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge manufacturing facility in Dearborn.

For the remainder of the day, 12 1-hour workshops will be offered. Topics include water gardens, growing small trees and small fruits, common plant pests and problems, garden tool maintenance and theme gardens for children.

Master Gardeners can earn five credit hours for participating in Garden Day. The registration fee for Garden Day is $75 before July 20 and will rise to $85 after that day. Two workshops, keynote speakers, parking and lunch are included in the registration fee.

For more information, visit the Web site at www.hrt.msu.edu/outreach/GardenDay2007.htm or contact Sandy Allen in the MSU Horticulture Department at allens@msu.edu. or (517) 355-5191.