Name: A Gathering for Gardeners
Start: 2026-03-14T08:30:00-05:00
Location: 407 E 12th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67501-5823, United States

A Gathering for Gardeners
A day filled with free gardening information for homeowners and gardeners has been
scheduled for Saturday, March 14th. The Hutchinson Horticulture Club organizes and sponsors this event as their educational project for the community. It will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 407 East 12th just west of the Cosmosphere. After missing two years because of Covid, the Club resumed having this annual event in 2023. If not for those Covid years, this would be the 37th year for this event.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. with the morning session beginning at 9:00 a.m. The first topic is Climate Resilient Gardens by Pam Paulsen, Reno County Horticulture Agent with K-State Research & Extension. Gardening in a changing climate can be a challenge. Pam will cover practical methods to grow gardens that are resilient to tough growing conditions. Next at 10:00 a.m., the topic Growing Cut Flowers for Your Home Table will be presented by Calla Edwards, Butler County Horticulture Agent with K-State Research & Extension. Calla suggests starting your own cut flower garden to bring the beauty of flowers indoors! She will cover the basics of establishing a cut flower garden. Learn ideas for preparing soil, seed starting, flower varieties, irrigation set-up, and maintenance. The last presentation for the morning will begin at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Drew Ricketts, Wildlife Management Specialist with K-State Research and Extension from Manhattan, will present Controlling Gophers, Moles & Armadillos. He will explain how to determine if you have a mole or pocket gopher problem and the various methods to use to resolve the issue. He will also address the increased range of Armadillos and how to cope with these pests.
The afternoon programs will resume at 1:00 p.m. with Dr. Raymond Cloyd, Entomologist Specialist with K-State Research and Extension from Manhattan. He will present How to Avoid Bites from Ticks, Chiggers & Mosquitoes. Raymond will briefly discuss the biology and behavior associated with ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes, and then discuss the strategies that will allow you to avoid getting bitten or fed upon by these pests. At 2:00 p.m., Mike DeRee, Sales Representative for Ball Seed Company, will cover Plants for Creative, Colorful Containers. Plants in containers can add that special touch of color to various areas of your landscape from your front door to your patio. Mike will show photos and discuss a variety of plant combinations to consider for your containers. The last presentation of the day begins at 3:00 p.m. The topic of Small Trees & Shrubs for Pollinators & Landscaping will be covered by Dr. Jason Griffin, Professor & Director at John C. Pair Horticultural Center in Haysville. Shrub beds can be used to decrease the size of your lawn while adding color and habitat for birds and beneficial insects. He will suggest a wide variety of plant options for homeowners to consider.
There will be no charge to attend any of the “Gathering for Gardeners” programs although registration at the door is requested. Door prize drawings will be held though out the day. This schedule is designed so individuals may attend any or all of the topics.
http://www.Facebook.com/HutchinsonHorticultureClub