News Release Distributed 02/22/12
LAKE CHARLES, La. – The 13th annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be held March 23-24 at Burton Coliseum.
The festival opens a 9 a.m. both days and ends at 5 p.m. Admission is $2 and children age 12 and younger are free.
"The garden festival is a wholesome, educational environment and the perfect activity to bring together friends and families," said Robert Turley, LSU AgCenter horticulturist.
The first day’s speakers, all from the LSU AgCenter, will make presentations on home vegetable gardening, growing tomatoes, controlling diseases and insects, composting and soil health, and home fruit, citrus and pecan production.
On the final day, speakers will discuss landscape plants, native perennials, colorful foliage plants, home lawn management and weed management.
The Federated Garden Clubs of Southwest Louisiana will have a flower show on display. Vendors will have garden-related products for sale, and LSU AgCenter experts will be available to diagnose plant problems and answer questions. Also, 4-H Club members will be available for a fee to help haul plants to vehicles.
The Master Gardeners will present a preview party and gumbo supper and silent auction on March 22 at 6 p.m. in the Chalkley Room of Burton Coliseum. Tickets are $10, and they can be obtained from the LSU AgCenter Extension Office adjacent to the Burton Coliseum parking lot. For more information, contact Turley at (337) 475-8812.
Bruce Schultz