From growing pumpkins, gourds and squash to taking the perfect snapshot, the 46th annual Hort Week at Olds College offers a little something for everyone.
The event takes place from Monday to Friday, July 23, and requires participants to register beforehand.
“We market it as a summer camp for grownups,” said Marilyn Klatt, program manager of the 46th annual Hort Week at Olds College. “It’s a nice getaway.”
People will have the chance to learn more about growing a variety of berries from Saskatoons to sour cherries or learn more about growing native plants in their gardens. There will also be information sessions on garden soils, backyard composting, building an end table and creating a hypertufa planter, which uses peat moss, concrete and artificial rock. Others may choose to tap into their creative sides by learning more about taking photographs or drawing in the garden.
Among the courses on offer are building garden spirits workshop, with people being able to create a whimsical character for their garden, a plant problem diagnostics workshop and pond maintenance tour showcasing what is going right and wrong at ponds around Olds and Red Deer.
“Every year some of the courses are new and some are old favourites,” Klatt said.
The native plant workshop is back after being on hiatus for a few years and the spaghetti garden is new and looks at growing tomatoes, basil and anything else for a good spaghetti sauce.
Klatt said the gardens are beautiful at Olds College and the event takes place at a perfect time of year for people to get to see the botanical gardens at their best, while meeting like-minded people.
The courses are open to everyone from beginners to experienced gardeners, taking part in a course or a whole week of courses. More than 200 people have signed up so far, but there is still room for more.
For a detailed program guide, go to www.oldscollege.ca/hortweek or to register call 403-556-4677 or 403-507-7956 or 1-800-661-6537, ext 7956.
sobrien@www.reddeeradvocate.com