Master Gardener Conference is set for July 2010

The Sheboygan County Master Gardener volunteers are hosting the Statewide Wisconsin Master Gardener Conference. The conference will be held on Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24, 2010, on the UW Sheboygan campus.

A pre-conference tour of the Christopher Farm and Gardens will be held that Friday. This 450-acre farm currently has 50 acres dedicated to a large variety of display gardens, including a kitchen garden complete with more than 50 varieties of vegetables; a cutting garden; an Asian garden; an ornamental grass garden and an evergreen garden to mention just a few.

There are also an apple orchard, beehives, koi ponds, waterfalls and even a railroad.

Bus transportation and lunch are included in this tour.

Enjoy brats Friday evening and a stroll through the Bookworm Gardens (a work in progress). Bookworm Gardens is a two-acre fantasy garden based on children’s literature. Afterwards, keynote speaker Ray Rogers will give a presentation on designing container plantings.

Saturday’s schedule begins with another inspiring presentation by Ray Rogers on the up-to-date use of coleus in your garden. The conference schedule for the rest of the day includes a variety of great topics presented by talented and knowledgeable speakers.

Registration is required. Attendees don't have to be a master gardener to attend. Early bird registrations, postmarked before May 1, will receive a discount of $10.

Local craftsmen, artisans and gardening experts will be on hand to share their products and expertise with you. Contact Ronda Birschbach (920) 459-5904 for answers to questions about the conference or if interested in participating as a vendor. For schedule information and to register, visit www.2010wimastergardenerconference.com.