GAYLORD ‘ MSU Extension and Gaylord’ Alpine Master Gardener Association (AMGA) hosted a well attended Gardening Seminar and Luncheon in Gaylord on March 5 at Treetops’ Lodge. One hundred and thirty-two gardeners attended from Gaylord, East Jordan, Petoskey, Mio and Cheboygan and other northern Michigan communities. The winter-weary gardeners enjoyed the presentations, camaraderie (‘cross-pollinating’) and products available at the seminar.
Chuck Martin, a senior horticulturist at the Dow Gardens in Midland and a garden journalist for the Midland Daily News, spoke about ‘Cultural Practices in Pest Management’ and gave a presentation on Michigan’ spring wildflowers.
Elly Maxwell, who has been the entomologist at the Dow Gardens since 2006 spoke about ‘Planting for Pollinators’ and ‘Phenology: Understanding Mother Nature’ Calendar.’
The seminar was sponsored by Treetops Resort, Walmart, the University Center Gaylord, Home Depot, Awakon Federal Credit Union, Big Bear Delicatessen in Gaylord, and Michigan State University Extension. Gaylord businesses and vendors donated door prizes that included gardening hand tools, gift certificates for massage and golf, food baskets, bird feeders and a wheelbarrow.
AMGA is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to educate area residents, including youth in the Junior Master Gardener program, about the benefits of gardening and horticulture. AMGA will hold its annual banquet on April 27 and will sponsor a May gardening series at the Otsego County Library. The tentative date for next year’ AMGA seminar and luncheon is Feb. 25, 2017. Information on upcoming events can be found online at www.otsego.org/amg (under events).
