Garden Society Hosts “Spring Fever” Symposium

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum Valley Garden Society hosted their 14th annual “Spring Fever” Home Gardening Symposium today at the Ohio University Zanesville Campus Center today.

The event is designed to educate community members on topics such as container, vegetable, and organic gardening, lawn and tree care, and much more.

“The Muskingum Valley Garden Society is a non-profit, volunteer based organization. Our goal is to enrich the community through gardening education, area beautification, and sustainable plantings. One of our flagship events today is the 14th Annual Spring Fever Home Gardening Symposium, which drives everything else we do in the community. Just trying to increase what we call the ‘Smile Factor’ for Zanesville,” said MVGS Founder and President Brian McLoughlin.

McLoughlin said that they wouldn’t be able to put together the event without the help of their great sponsors such as Old Stone House Nursery, Windland’s Complete Landscaping, Timber Run Gardens, and community donations, among others.

The symposium also consisted of nationally known speakers. Dr. Mark Miller, who is the Director of Education Outreach and Children Gardening at the Franklin Park Conservatory, spoke on the importance of backyard pollinators. Jim and Mary Competti of Old World Garden Farms spoke on growing simple, and sustainable gardening practices at home. And finally, Thomas Rainer, who is a landscape architect for Rhodeside & Harwell talked about introducing the garden of the future.

Nearly 250 local community members turned out for the event. The garden society offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for those interested by visiting their website at mvgardensociety.org.