A day filled with free gardening information for homeowners and gardeners has been
scheduled for Saturday, March 11th. The Hutchinson Horticulture Club organizes and sponsors this event as their educational project for the community. It is being held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 407 East 12 th just west of the Cosmosphere. After not holding a Gathering for the past 2 years, the Club is pleased to host the event this year. This would have been the 34 th year for this annual event.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with the morning session beginning at 9:00 a.m. The first topic
is Growing Herbs & Vegetables in Containers by Pam Paulsen, Reno County Horticulture Agent for K-State Research and Extension. She will cover many edibles that will grow well in containers that you may not have considered. Next at 10:00 a.m., the topic New Annual Plants – 2021 to 2023 will be presented by Mike DeRee with the Ball Seed Company. He will show many plants that their researchers have developed during the past couple of years. The last presentation for the morning will begin at 11:00 a.m. Holly Dickman, Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Hays, will present Drought Tolerant Ornamentals. She will cover some of the cultural practices that can help make the landscape more drought resistant and will share a plant list covering a wide variety of plants.
The afternoon programs will resume at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Charles Marr, Professor
Emeritus at K-State Research & Extension in Manhattan, presenting Tomato Varieties & challenges. He will discuss the various types of tomatoes and help explain some fruit
production problems. At 2:00 p.m. Dena Podrebarac, the Milkweed Coordinator for Monarch
Watch in Lawrence, will present Monarch Watch & How Gardeners Can Help. She will cover information on Monarch Watch’s 30 years of research education and conservation and tell us for Pollinators will be covered by Scott Vogt, the Executive Director of the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains in Hesston. Many pollinators prefer certain flower forms or specific plants. He will give us many suggestions to make our gardens more pollinator friendly.
There will be no charge to attend any of the “Gathering for Gardeners” programs
although registration at the door is requested. Door prize drawings will be held thoughout the day. This schedule is designed so individuals may attend any or all of the topics.
