KINGSTON, R.I. -- September 9, 2003 -- Gardeners, environmentalists and nature lovers of all kinds can get expert advice on how to renovate and revive their home garden and landscape at the University of Rhode Island’s 13th annual GreenShare Field Day on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 21.

One highlight of the event will be a raffle of a $2,250 complete garden makeover, including $1,000 of plants plus labor and a landscape design consultation. Proceeds will help to restore the URI greenhouses.

The event will be held in and around the Learning Landscape Gardens on the corner of Upper College Road and East Alumni Avenue on URI’s Kingston Campus.

Sponsored by URI’s Cooperative Extension Education Center, GreenShare Field Day will include gardening and environmental activities that are free and fun for the whole family.

Among the workshops scheduled are "Hot New Hydrangeas and Secrets to Growing Them," "Tough Roses for Tough Sites," and "Lasagne Gardening: An Easy Approach to Creating New Garden Beds." Other all day demonstrations address growing great perennials, composting, irrigation and container gardening among many others.

The feature of the day will be a two-hour step-by-step workshop on "Creating Your Dream Landscape" by Frank Crandall and associates from Wood River Evergreens. This workshop will include four speakers with different expertise to discuss landscape planning and design, plant selection, garden lighting, stonework and landscape maintenance.

Other activities at this family-oriented event include garden tours, cooking demonstrations, craft workshops, educational displays and children’s activities on dozens of gardening and environmental topics including the popular butterfly pavilion. The cooking demonstration will be presented by local chef and author Normand Leclair and URI Master Gardener Lorrie Vezzineau.

Free pH testing is also available to gardeners bringing a one-cup soil sample, and samples of weeds and pest insects, trees and shrubs will also be identified. In addition, a limited number of Soilsaver Compost Bins will be on sale for 50 percent off the retail price.

For additional information, call 874-2900. Business sponsors of the event are Clark Farms of South Kingstown, Holly Ridge Nursery of West Kingston, and the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association.

For a complete schedule of the day’s events visit the website: www.uri.edu/ce/ceec/plantpro.html.

GreenShare Field Day 2003
Saturday, September 20th
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
URI Learning Landscape Gardens
Rain date: Sunday, September 21st

Schedule of Events

10 a.m. – Noon - Creating Your Dream Landscape: Step-by-Step, Frank Crandall and associates, Wood River Evergreens. This workshop will include 4 speakers with different expertise including landscape planning and design, plant selection, garden lighting, hardscaping and installation, lawns and landscape maintenance.

10 a.m. – Noon – Lasagne Gardening Demonstration – learn about an innovative and time-saving way for making new garden beds.

10 a.m. – Noon - Free plant clinic. Bring in a specimen of your sick plant for free diagnosis and treatment advice

10:10 a.m. Raised bed

10:30 a.m. Irrigation for vegetable gardens

10:30 a.m. Environmentally friendly gardening

11:15 a.m. Designing your perennial garden for late season bloom and color

11:30 a.m. Container gardening

11:45 a.m. Pruning Tips for the Backyard Gardener

12 p.m. Growing Great Tomatoes

12-2 p.m. "The soul of the plant," a continuous botanical slide show

12:15 p.m. Secrets to Growing Great

12:30 p.m. Demonstration of Split Rail Fence

12:30 p.m. Favorite Sustainable Trees and Shrubs

1:30 p.m. Tough Roses for Tough Sites

1:30 p.m. Environmentally Friendly Gardening, Rosanne Sherry