Conference focus on green gardens

By Angela O'Callaghan

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009 | 3:25 p.m.

This spring, Southern Nevada is going to host what should be the best local gardening event in years — the International Master Gardener Conference. This meeting only occurs every other year. While the conference has been in California and in the Pacific Northwest, it has never been here — go figure.

The conference theme will be "gardening green" — having a sustainable garden in any climate; reusing materials that we might throw away if we weren't thinking long term; and discovering how to be a good gardener at any time. The motto might also be "everything old is new again" since the conference will include information on techniques that were used in the past and could certainly be revived.

This gardening extravaganza will be happening from March 22 to March 26 at the Alexis Park Hotel in Las Vegas. Despite the conference title, you do not have to be a Master Gardener to attend. If you go to the Cooperative Extension's Web site, unce.unr.edu, and follow the link for the conference, you will see all the great events that are on the schedule. No doubt some will be appealing — there will be 24 presentations on the topics ranging from fitness for gardening, to irrigation, to succeeding with palms.

You name the subject and there's probably a session that addresses it. There will be keynote speakers and 42 tours of interesting sights. That is in addition to the guided walk through the UNLV arboretum, a silent auction, tons of activities, the Market Place, and a trade show with exciting displays. This is not to mention meeting dedicated gardeners from all over the country.

Registering for the entire conference is not necessary because single-day registration is available. Take a look at the Web site to see what you want and need to know. The "Sunset and Stars" opening reception on March 22 as well as meals and breaks are included in the registration fee. If a person wants to register for a single day, contact the conference coordinator.

The trade show will be open to the Green Community from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 24.

Some people are intimidated about gardening in this demanding locale. Many people have contacted me to learn about becoming a gardener in our difficult climate. Certainly gardening in the Mojave Desert is a challenge, but it is not impossible but can be intimidating.

For people who do not quite consider themselves experienced gardeners but would like to be, after the international conference is over, I will be offering a patio gardening class from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 28, at the Cooperative Extension office, 8050 Paradise Road. This will be a three-hour introduction to growing vegetables in pots and in small spaces. I plan to cover selecting plants that have a good chance of survival in this climate, and how to maximize success when dealing with the limitations of city gardening.

There will be a nominal charge to cover the cost of materials. Contact me if you are planning to attend.

Angela O’Callaghan is the area specialist in social horticulture for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached c/o the Home News, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074, or [email protected].