• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Lawn and garden Activities sprout up at Rotary Gardens

Photo

Photo by Bill Olmsted

A bucket of plant tags that have been installed on stakes wait for placement at the Rotary Botanical Gardens Horticultural Center in Janesville. In the background, volunteer Luis Owano works at a computer to create more of the labels Wednesday. The gardens, at 1455 Palmer Drive in Janesville, will offer a variety of lawn and garden-related programs this spring.

People looking for new lawn and gardening ideas or enjoying amateur photography might find activities of interest this spring at Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive.

Mark Dwyer, gardens' horticulture director, shared highlights:

-- Amateur Photography Contest. The gardens earlier sponsored a photo contest in conjunction with a home and garden tour. But with so many photographers, particularly amateurs, snapping shots at the gardens, the new contest will give garden leaders new perspectives on the gardens and a chance to share images with the public through marketing pieces, including a 2013 gardens calendar. Entry deadline is April 30.

-- Spring garden symposium. Rather than emphasizing plants and horticulture, a Saturday, March 24, symposium will focus on how a garden that offers inspiration and whimsy can become an extension of the home. Registration deadline is March 14.

-- Second annual tree sale. Held Friday and Saturday, April 20-21, in conjunction with the Janesville Blackhawk Golden K Kiwanis, the sale is intended to appeal to anyone interested in affordable, small trees. The 2- and 3-year-old transplants will be 18 to 24 inches tall provide and provide an affordable option, ideal for large property windbreaks, screens and mass plantings. Trees will be $1.85 each in minimum bundles of five.

-- Earth Day. The Friday and Saturday, April 20-21, event will coincide with the tree sale and is geared for family fun. Featured will be hands-on, take-home activities plus informational displays and booths with a focus on efforts to maintain the planet and what individuals and families can do to help.

-- Arbor Day. The Janesville Shade Tree Advisory Committee is organizing an afternoon of family fun plus informational presentations and information about the importance of trees. New emerald ash borer-tolerant trees, paid for with a $10,000 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry matching grant, will be planted.

-- New varieties. Seasonal annuals will include moss roses and a range of new plants on trial for seed companies plus a revamped ornamental edible collection of plants that can be used in the kitchen.

-- To learn more: Visit rotarybotanicalgardens.org or rotarygardens.blogspot.com.