DATE: 1/29/07

CONTACT: Tim Davis, 803-730-7956; tdvs@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, 864-656-4741; spalmer@clemson.edu

Garden experts to speak at ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ symposium

COLUMBIA – Three garden experts will speak about their specialties at the Ask a Master Gardener symposium, March 22 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Columbia Conference Center and is open to the public.

The program is being sponsored by the Midlands Master Gardeners Association. Cost is $55 for Master Gardener members and $60 for non-members. Cost includes lunch.

Flo Chaffin’s, garden expert and owner of Specialty Ornamentals, topic of discussion is “Hydrangeas: What Is Old Will Be New Again.” Rita Randolph, owner of Randolph’s Greenhouses in Jackson, TN., will discuss “The Art of Container Gardening” and Dabney Peeples, president and founder of J. Dabney Peeples Design Associates of Greater Greenville, will talk about “Making Your Garden Uniquely Yours.” Peeple’s landscape work has been shown in Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens and other publications.

Also scheduled are: a silent auction, specialty plant sale, garden item vendors and exhibits, gardening books from The Happy Bookseller, and special gardening demonstrations.

The Master Gardener training program is administered by the Clemson Extension Service. Participants receive at least 40 hours of intensive, practical horticultural training.

After successfully completing the classroom portion, participants receive the title of "Master Gardener." Master Gardener graduates then are required to volunteer at least 40 hours of service to complete the last part of the program. Many far exceed the expected 40 hours of service.

Deadline to register is March 14. Make checks payable to S.C. Midlands Master Gardener Association and send to Symposium Registration, c/o Thompson, 62 Mallet Hill Court, Columbia, S.C. 29223.

For more information about the symposium, call 803-438-2706, email 2007symposium@yahoo.com or visit online at: www.scmmga.org/symposium_2007.htm.

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