Public invited to Master Gardener seminar on Feb. 21

Attention, all gardeners, Jane Jackson, one of the Putnam County Master Gardeners would like to invite the public to its annual seminar.

The annual gardening seminar that is sponsored by the Putnam County Master Gardener Association will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Community Building on the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Gardeners of any skill level -- beginners to experts -- will want to attend. The event is open to the public. There will be excellent speakers, breakfast and lunch will be provided, and there are vendor booths to visit and door prizes to be won. There will also be a silent auction, offering six different Nancy Noel framed prints.

This year's theme is "Wit and Wisdom." While the focus of the seminar is always to teach -- the "wisdom" part -- there's also a lot of fun and humor -- the "wit" part.

The keynote speaker is Amanda Thomsen, popular blogger and author of "Kiss My Aster." Her book on gardening has been described as a "hilarious, irreverent, interactive guide," and it is truly laugh-out-loud funny.

Three other speakers will also make presentations. "Organic Gardening" has been requested several times, and it will be taught by Carol Michel. Larry Caplan will demonstrate landscape mistakes to avoid with "Stupid Human Diseases of Landscape." Ann Delchambre will teach "Fruit Trees," covering everything from plant selection to proper planting techniques to pruning, encouraging fruiting, and pest control.

The seminar guests also have a choice of a hands-on project: "Pressing Flowers" or "Creating a Gardener's Journal."

Registration can be made by contacting Jane Jackson at JacksonJ2567@yahoo.com or 720-5212. The early registration deadline is very short: Feb. 3. The fee, through Feb. 3, is $45 per individual, or $80 for two people. After Feb. 3, the fee is $55 per individual or $100 for two.

Contact Jane Jackson right away to reserve a seat, and plan to make a day of it on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Visit the homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events.

It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution.

Upcoming events

Feb. 2 -- Dining with Diabetes registration opens, Purdue Extension Office.

Feb. 2 -- Jenna Nees' first day in office as ANR educator.

Feb. 7 -- Bistate Judges and Leaders Clinic, Knoy Center, Cloverdale, 8:30 a.m.

Feb. 12 -- Junior Leader meeting, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

Feb. 12 -- Extension Homemakers leader lesson on Cystic Fibrosis, Extension Office, 1 p.m.

Feb. 13 -- Ten-year 4-H member pictures due to Extension Office.

Feb. 19 -- Exploring 4-H orientation meeting, Fairgrounds, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 23 -- Putnam County Fair Board meeting, Fairgrounds, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 -- Beef tagging and weigh-in 4-H steer/crossbred heifer, Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. -- noon.

Feb. 28 -- Deadline to enroll 4-H beef steer or crossbred heifer.