Master Gardener Conference Concurrent Sessions
October 10, 2007

Concurrent sessions will be offered on Weds morning and afternoon. Select one current session from each time slot. On the registration form indicate your first, second and third choices. Early registration will help ensure you are assigned to your first choice.
Time Session Topic Presentor

8:30 am

 

1A

 

What's in a Name? Plant names are in Latin which often makes them difficult for the average gardener to understand. This session will help make them easier to understanding. Participants will gain a better understand of genus, species, subspecies, cultivar and variety names.

Dr. Paul Fantz

 

 

1B

 

Gardening With Children. We will be exploring marvelous plants for kids and discovering ways to utilize these resources to engage youth in science investigations.  From warty pumpkins, pretzel beans and squirting cucumbers, start to uncover the hidden stories of the garden.

Liz Driscoll

 

 

1C

 

Earth Friendly Gardening. We all need to help protect our natural resources. Lucy will share with you tips and techiques on how we can be better stewards of the environment and still have a beautiful and productive landscape and garden.

Dr. Lucy Bradley

 

       

10:00 am

 

2A

 

What's in a Name? Plants names are in Latin which often makes them difficult for the average gardener to understand. This session will help make them easier to understand. Participants will gain a better understand of genus, species, subspecies, cultivar and variety names.

Dr. Paul Fantz

 

 

2B

 

Making Good Garden Soil. The garden soil that most of us inherit can be a real challenge. Dr. Fonteno will provide instruction on how to build a good garden soil environment from compacted urban soil.

Dr. Bill Fonteno

 

 

2C

 

Protecting Water Quality - Backyard Best Management Practices. Protecting water quality and conservation are becoming increasing important as our population grows and more open space is lost or paved over. Bill will provide techiques and tips you can incorporate into your garden to help protect water quality.

Bill Lord

 

 

       

11:00 am

 

 

3A

 

 

Lawn Care. Lawns can help us protect water quality and enhance the apperance of our landscape. North Carolina is not the easiest place to grow a healthy lawn. The latest research on sound lawn care and cultivars will be presented.

 

Dr. Art Bruneau

 

 

 

3B

 

 

Under-utilized Groundcovers. Groundcovers can be used as a lawn substitute, to reduce soil erosion and to add color and enhance your landscape. Often only a few types of groundcovers are planted in North Carolina. This session will introduce you to numerous under-utilized groundcovers.

Erv Evans

 

 

 

3C

 

Rain Gardens are a great way to reduce water run off from your property. Tips on how to construct a small to large rain garden will be presented as well as plants that will grow there.
Bill Hunt and Mitch Woodward
       

1:30 pm

 

4A

 

Weed Management in the Landscape. Weeds increase landscape maintenance and can harbor insect problems. NC State is a national leader in weed research. Dr. Neal will help you learn how to identify and manage weeds in your landscape.

Dr. Joe Neal

 

 

4B

 

Wildlife Management. Moles, voles, snakes, deer, birds, and raccoons can be a real problem in your garden. Dr. Deperno will provide valuable information on how to manage wildlife in an urban landscape.

Dr. Chris Deperno

 

 

4C

 

Organic Gardening, Gardening without chemicals is the goal of many home owners. Can it be done and result in a beautiful landscape and a productive garden? Our speaker will share the best ways to achieve this goal.

Debbie Roos

 

       

2:30 pm

 

 

5A

 

 

Understanding Plant Fertilization; Soils and Fertilizer. What goes on below the ground has a major impact on the success or failure of our landscape plants. Fertilizer is often applied incorrectly or at the wrong time of year. Dr. Warren will provide valuable tips and techniques on how to grow healthy plants.

Dr. Stu Warren

 

 

Changed Topic

5B

 

Under-utilized Groundcovers. Groundcovers can be used as a lawn substitute, to reduce soil erosion and to add color and enhance your landscape. Often only a few types of groundcovers are planted in North Carolina. This session will introduce you to numerous under-utilized groundcovers.

Erv Evans

 

 

5C

 

Vermicomposting. Rich, productive soil can be created from your kitchen scraps using worms to do the work. This simple process can be used at home or schools to reduce the amount of material that goes into the landfill.

Rhonda Sherman

 

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