Garden Center Association Presents Speaker Series

The Garden Center Association (GCA) of Greater Kansas City recently announced the first two programs of the 2011 GCA Speaker Series.

The series begins on Saturday, January 15 at the Discovery Center with Rita and George Arnold of Arnold's Greenhouse in Leroy, Kansas as they lead a photo tour of what's new for the garden in 2011. Throw away those catalogs, take a front row seat and check off the new plants you must have. You will get to see amazing photos and all the details of the plants, where and how they want to grow, as well as what makes them special.

Vegetable BasketOn Saturday, February 19, the GCA presents "Superlative Vegetable Varieties for Growing in Kansas City" by Ben Sharda, executive director of Kansas City Community Gardens. Ben will talk about interesting vegetables for your garden. You may not look at vegetables the same way ever again. Discover vegetables that deserve to take front and center in your garden and not be relegated to the backs of the beds or far corners of the garden. Best of all, not only are they good to look at but good to eat as well.

Both programs begin 10:00am at the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 4750 Troost. Hot coffee and refreshments begin on half hour before the program. Admission is free and open to the public. The speaker series is paid for by GCA membership dues, donations and fund-raising events.

The 2011 GCA Speaker Series continues throughout the year and will include programs on Hellebores, Lilies, Organic Gardening, Saving Seeds and much more. Watch the GCA website for details.