It’s not too late to sign-up and attend the 14th annual “Fertilize Your Mind” garden seminar set for Saturday, March 28, on the campus of Southwestern Oregon Community College. Jim Gilbert, fruiting plants expert and founder of One Green World Nursery out of Portland will be the keynote speaker. Gilbert will present, “Searching the World for Fruit – Finding New Varieties for Oregon,” detailing his experiences exploring the world for new and neglected fruit varieties that will grow well in the Pacific Northwest. Following the keynote presentation three class sessions will be offered, each with a selection of four informative classes to choose from, presented by experienced and practical speakers. Gilbert will offer a class on “Growing Unique & Delicious Fruit – Techniques and Varieties for Good Crops,” and back again this year is retired OSU Assoc. Professor John Luna presenting “The Ecological Gardener’s Cover Crop” and “The Gopher Chronicles: Moles, Voles, Gophers and Moral Dilemmas.” Kym Pokorny, former writer for The Oregonian, will share “Perfect for Every Garden: High Impact, Low Maintenance Plants.” Also presenting will be local experts Jennifer Ewing, Liza Ehle, Renee Blom, Coos County Master Food Preservers and Tal Blankenship from Jackson County. The full schedule of classes can be found online at http://extension.oregonstate.edu/coos/fertilize-your-mind Throughout the day local nurseries, landscape companies and other businesses will display goods and services in the lobby. The Master Gardeners will man a Plant Clinic table to answer gardening questions during breaks and the lunch period. A large selection of free gardening/seed catalogs will also be available. The registration fee of $30 includes the keynote address, three lecture sessions, and coffee and tea; lunch is on your own. Walk-ins are welcome the day of the event, but registrations can also be taken at the Coos County Extension Service office in Myrtle Point until Friday, March 27. For more information, call them at 541-572-5263, or stop by the office at 631 Alder St. in Myrtle Point. This seminar is sponsored by the Coos County Oregon State University Extension Service and the Coos County Master Gardener AssociationTM.
