Master Gardeners plan Spring Seminar and Sale

Staff Report

PARKERSBURG -- The Wood County Master Gardener 2024 Spring Seminar and Plant Sale will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Fort Boreman Room of the Judge Black Annex on Market Street.

A plant sale at 5 p.m. precedes the annual seminar that will address topics of current interest, according to J.J. Barrett, Wood County extension agent for the WVU Extension Service. The sale will include annuals, perennials, herbs and other plants, some from the Master Gardeners, too, such as irises, he said.

In addition to the plant sale, refreshments, door prizes and a silent auction for three big items, including a fruit tree, will be available, Barrett said. Greenleaf Landscaping from Marietta and Bob's Market from Belpre have donated the items, he said.

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained in small-scale food production, horticulture and gardening. Master Gardeners, in turn, share their knowledge and experience with the community, undertake community-based gardening projects, such as the Blomberg Arboretum at the Parkersburg Wood County Library and the Armstrong Garden in Williamstown, and help residents find solutions to gardening and horticulture problems.

"The Master Gardener Program is a great way to enhance your gardening knowledge not only for personal use, but also to enable a person to assist their community through Master Gardener programs and efforts," Master Gardener Marcia Campbell said.T

he seminar, sponsored by the Master Gardeners, starts at 6 p.m. with Julie Witten of Witten Farms on "Container and Small Space Gardening." Witten graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in agriculture education. Inspired by her grandmother's love of flowers, she returned home in 1996 and expanded the farm to include a greenhouse and flower markets. She manages the design of hanging baskets and specialty containers and assists with the greenhouse.Witten uses her degree in supervising a team of 14 managers and 175 seasonal staff, with the majority of employees of high school and college age,

Witten will be followed by Eric Barrett, Barrett's brother, assistant director of the Ohio State University Extension and an associate professor. His specialization is direct food and ag marketing and commercial and consumer horticulture.

Eric Barrett has taught and led extension programs since 1996 and has experience through a private marketing firm. He regularly speaks at state and national conferences and workshops across North America.

He has received several teaching awards, a local tourism award, an Ohio Fair Managers Association Award and the OSU Extension State Achievement Award. Eric Barret was raised on his family's dairy and beef farm in Vincent.

Addressing the problem with an invasive species of tree, J.J. Barrett will speak on "Ornamental Trees to Replace Bradford Pear." A graduate of The Ohio State University, Barrett specializes in home horticulture, livestock and grassland management and works with his family operating Sweetapple Farm in Vincent.

Numerous alternative ornamental trees are available for the homeowner to replace the Callery Pear, also referred to as Bradford. Due to its invasive nature, the Callery pear is being replaced and often removed from the landscape. Service berry, crabapple, and eastern redbud are just a few ornamental or flowering trees for the home landscape.

The 2024 Spring Gardening Seminar is free. To register or for more information, contact J.J. Barrett at 304 424-1960 or email jj.barrett@mail.wvu.edu.