April 14th found Peggy and I vending at the Garden Gala in Knoxville, Iowa. The annual event is organized and offered to area gardeners by the local Federated Garden Club. The registration is limited to two hundred and sells out early each year with little or no advertising. This year was our first invitation to the gathering and did we have fun.
I along with Mike Gooder, of the Plant Peddler and Marcia Leeper, Corporate Gardener for August Home Publishing Company were the featured speakers for the event. It was a real treat to hear both Mike and Marcia share their years of gardening knowledge with the group. If you grow any kind of bedding plants it is likely that at least a few of them were trialed at Mike's operation in Cresco, IA. If you have read a copy of the Garden Gate Magazine you have seen examples of Marcia's gardening ability. I was able to share a little bit about growing Japanese Maples in an Iowa environment.
I must have been well received as I was invited back to vend at the Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa State Conference in June. I relish the opportunity!
