Master gardeners to hold gardening symposium

Registration is open for the Oct. 25 Western North Carolina Gardening Symposium at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Asheville-Biltmore. This popular annual event, organized by Extension Master Gardener volunteers from Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson and Polk counties, offers a day for gardeners, with dynamic speakers, food, vendors, door prizes and goodie-loaded gift bags. 

The theme this year is “Gazing Into the Future - What’s Coming in Gardening.” Tony Avent, founder of Plant Delights Nursery, will start off with “New and Exciting Perennials” and will close the day with “Residential Design for Plant Enthusiasts,” where he will highlight modern trends in landscaping. Foodscaper Brie Arthur will talk about growing with new technologies. Local favorites Tom Ranney and Craig Mauney will expound upon new plant introductions developed for regional landscapes and vegetable gardens. 

Postmark your registration by Tuesday, Sept. 19 and get the early-bird discount. See the events page at buncombemastergardener.org for the registration form and more details on the program.

Also, don't forget the Ask-A-Gardener Booth at Black Mountain Tailgate at First Baptist Church from 9 .m.-noon Sept. 23. Extension Master Gardeners are available to answer gardening questions, so bring samples of plants and insects for identification or problem diagnosis and pick up soil test kits.