Fall Symposium:
"Autumn Joy 2024"
Saturday, October 5, 2024
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Harwich Community Center
Registration Fee: $25.00
Keynote Presentation: Hydrangeas in Winter
Mal Condon the Hydrangea Guy, Curator of Hydrangeas at Heritage Gardens
Winter is coming; day length and temperatures are declining. Hydrangeas are in their final blooming stage – the antique season, when superior blossom color develops with many macrophylla and paniculata cultivars. When the growing season ends, there is work to do: winter protection and winter pruning. Mal will focus on protection specifics and regenerative pruning practices. He’ll review the macrophylla hardiness characteristics and shortcomings, present a detailed protection timetable and explain practices to help hydrangeas endure wind and cold. Finally, he will encourage pruning of just dead and dying stems in early winter.
Break Out Sessions: Choose Two
Dahlias: The Divas of the Fall Garden on the Cape
Beth Taylor, Master Gardener
If you want guaranteed color in your gardens from mid-August until frost--or just love having a bouquet of flowers on the table--this presentation is for you. Topics covered will include the botany and cultivation of this spectacular plant, including tips on separating and storing the tubers. Propagation by cuttings and seeds will also be explored, as well as an overview of the more common diseases and pests. While dahlias do require some special care—some might even call it “work”—they more than balance that effort with the production of beautiful blooms throughout the Fall season.
Fresh Veggies all Winter
Russell Norton, Barnstable County Horticultural Extension Educator
Most gardeners are familiar with the summer favorites we grow in our vegetable gardens, but what about winter? Winter vegetable gardening can provide a bounty all season long. Find out what can be grown off season and how to do it; maximizing your vegetable gardens potential.
SOS: Save our Succulents
Nancy Graupner, Master Gardener
Nancy will share her love of succulents as she presents ways to help your plants thrive. Topics will include using correct pots and soil, watering techniques, useful tools, lighting, common pests, propagation and dormancy. There will also be a large display of her succulent and cacti collection.
Think Spring in Autumn: A Hands-on Container Demo
Liz Witcher
Spring Bulb Layering Demo
Learn how to layer spring flowering bulbs in a container for continuous & gorgeous spring cottage style blooms. This fantastic autumn gardening project, also known as a bulb lasagna, will set your garden up for spring color & cheer. Liz will suggest bulb choices for variety, selecting container and soil, wintering over and more.
The symposium takes place at the Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, Harwich, MA. Refreshments and beverages will be available after check in at 9:00 am. Break-out sessions will end at 1:00.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Registration includes keynote presentation and choice of two break-out sessions, as well as refreshments, gift bags, chances to win door prizes and an opportunity to bring in soil samples for testing
Online registration will begin on August 23, 2024 and continue until October 1, 2024 or until all spaces are filled.
Alternatively, you may register by mail. Registration must be received by September 20. Please send your name, a check for $25 payable to “Master Gardeners Association of Cape Cod”, and your two selections for break-out sessions to: Master Gardeners of Cape Cod, P.O. Box 367, Barnstable, MA 02630.
