2012 Alaska Master Gardener Event Calendar

Thursday, Jan 5
“New Plants for 2012”
A presentation by Julie Riley, Extension Horticulturist, at the Anchorage Garden Club meeting, , 7 p.m. Anchorage Pioneer School House, 437 E. Third Ave, public is welcome, AGC hotline, 566-0539.

Friday, January 6
Herb Study Group, Garlic & Chives, 12-1:30 p.m.
UAF Cooperative Extension Service, 1675 C Street, Anchorage, 786-6300. The Herb Study Group meets the first Friday of the month to discuss a selected herb. Meetings are open to the public. May through September the group ‘learns by doing’ at the Alaska Botanical Garden where, as volunteers, they plant and care for almost 100 different culinary and medicinal plants in the herb garden.

Monday, January 16 (Martin Luther King Day)
Alaska Master Gardener Association-Anchorage meeting - “Our World Full of Bees”, presented by Colette Marshall (and MGs with summer hives). This is also the AMGAA annual meeting; election results will be presented. 7 p.m. UAF Cooperative Extension Service, Anchorage, 1675 C Street.

Jan 25 & 26
Alaska Greenhouse & Nursery Conference, Alyeska Resort, Girdwood. The event brings together industry representatives, horticultural vendors and support agencies from within and outside of Alaska. Includes trade show and presentations on new Proven Winner bedding plants, using perennials and bulbs in the landscape, Rhodiola as a new crop for Alaska, and merchandizing ideas. Cost: $125; register and pay on-line this year at http://www.uaf.edu/ces/gardening/hort2012/.

Jan 26-27, (28)
Alaska Peony Growers Conference,  Alyeska Resort, Girdwood. The conference’s focus is on the business-side of cut flower peony production, but soil testing, fertilizer, weed control and sustainable growing techniques are also on the agenda. Includes a silent auction to benefit the Alaska Peony Growers Association, trade show, and pre- and post-conference workshops. Cost: $125, register and pay on-line this year at http://www.uaf.edu/ces/gardening/hort2012/apgc/.

Thursday, Jan 26
New Grower School: Starting a Peony Farm, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Alyeska Resort, Girdwood. Instructors: Marji Illingworth, North Pole Peonies & Jan Hanscom, Polar Peonies, LLC  Cost: $30; http://www.uaf.edu/ces/gardening/hort2012/apgc/.

Saturday, Feb 18
Alaska Rock Garden Society meeting, 2:00 p.m. MTA building, Palmer - “Factors Affecting Cold Hardiness” presented by Julie Riley, CES.   www.args.org