By KELLY HECKAMAN
Purdue Extension, Kosciusko County, Extension Educator ANR & CED

WARSAW — The 12th Annual Gateway to Gardening Symposium is set for 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Warsaw Community Church, 2300 Ranch Road, Warsaw. Registration and visiting with the vendors starts at 8:45 a.m. The symposium is being hosted by the Kosciusko County Master Gardeners and Purdue Extension – Kosciusko County.

This year’s symposium features Janet Macunovich. Janet is an author, educator and garden designer known for plans that are simple, enduring, creative and individually pleasing. She has completed the Michigan State University Extension gardening program and is active in the community as an advanced master gardener.

In 1985 Janet established Perennial Favorites, a garden and landscape design firm. In addition to designing and tending gardens for clients, she also teaches “how to.” That’s resulted in nine books and hundreds of articles, placed her at the head of radio and internet forums dealing with questions on all aspects of landscaping, and an audience of thousands of gardeners both amateur and professional throughout the U.S., Canada and England.

Her students have said, “When Janet explained, I finally got it… and I had fun, too!” Janet will share the “Art of Fall Garden Clean-Up” and “Holiday Decorations from Your Garden.”

Also a part of the symposium is Kyle Daniel, Purdue Extension Nursery and Landscape Outreach Specialist. He is currently the co-chair of education at the Indiana Green Expo, as well as board member on the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association and writes regular columns for Indiana Nursery and Landscape News.

His presentation will highlight interesting trees and shrubs of the winter landscape. A brief overview of four season interest in plants and the landscape will also be covered.

Also featured at the symposium will be “Using Bulbs for Spring Color & Interest” presented by Lyndsay Ploehn. She is currently the Agriculture & Natural Resources Educator at the Purdue Extension office in Porter County. She has a degree in public horticulture and enjoys teaching gardening tips and techniques as well as getting her hands dirty in her home garden. Lyndsay’s presentation will cover ways to incorporate bulbs into containers and add layers of interest to your garden in all seasons.

The symposium is also featuring several local garden suppliers and crafters. If you are interested in being a vendor at the symposium, please contact the Extension Office.

So, mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 12 and join us for a day filled with educational and practical tips you can use in your garden. Everyone is invited to attend. You do not have to be a master gardener.

Registration is $30 per person if received by Sept. 4.

For more information on the symposium, please contact the Extension Office at (574) 372-2340 or visit our website and look under current events.