Downtown Rochester Farmers Market to open with a flurry

The Downtown Rochester Farmer’s Market opens May 3 and is holding several opening day specials. 
· Free Farmers’ Market Tote Bags sponsored by Kidz 1st Pediatrics filled with special offers from downtown Rochester businesses for the first 500 adult customers

· Live music by blues artist Paul Miles, sponsored by Bella Cuore-Organic Beauty

· Colorable monster mural project for the whole family

· Enter-to-win for more than 20, $25 gift certificates donated by downtown Rochester businesses

· Enter-to-win the Harvest Basket Drawing for products donated by market vendors

New this season, the Downtown Rochester Farmers’ Market will accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Bridge Cards. This initiative through the Rochester Downtown Development Authority gives recipients of public assistance access to fresh, healthy food while supporting the local farm economy.

The market is open every Saturday, May 3 through Oct. 25, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is located at the corner of E. Third and Water Street, one block east of Main Street.

Master Gardener Society to host conference in Waterford

The Master Gardener Society of Oakland County is hosting the 2nd Annual Educational Garden Conference with doors opening at 7 a.m., Saturday, April 26 at Oakland Schools Conference Center, 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, for gardeners of all interests and skill levels. The conference will provide Master Gardener education credits for Master Gardener volunteers.

Keynote speakers this year will include notable authors and garden experts – Allan Armitage, David E. Perry, Stephanie Cohen and Stacey Hirvela.

The conference will again feature a Garden Market with more vendors than last year, raffle prizes and gift bags.

Tickets may be purchased at www.mgsoc.org for $80. The registration deadline is April 16. For more information, call 248-770-0524.

Spring planting delayed

It finally feels like Spring and most greens should be planted right now, if not before. I have procrastinated because it felt like it was going to stay cold permanently. The ground was still frozen solid in mid March, when greens can normally be planted in this region.
But here it is, a full week into April. Lettuce, parsley, Swiss chard, kale, spinach could already be coming up.
I have one thing in my favor, my fall garden has turned into an early spring garden. I left the cold frame covered all winter and removed the plastic wrap today to behold spinach plants, in good shape.
Other veggies that can be planted now include onions, radishes, beets, carrots, potatoes, peas, broccoli, cahliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.

Novi Home and Garden Show starts Friday

The Novi Home and Garden Show is 2 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi.

Walk through over 25,000 square feet of landscaped gardens with patios, outdoor kitchens, water highlights and plants. Tour a home being built for Macomb Habitat for Humanity by the students of Dakota High School’s building program. The “Green Thumb Theater” area will provide a variety of fun and informative seminars on gardening and landscaping. Featured presenter Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener, will bring three great hands-on seminars to the show.

Live broadcasts with “America’s Master Handyman” Glenn Haege of WJR.

Adult admission is $9, senior admission is $8, and children 12 and under get in free. With show ticket purchase, you will receive a 1-year subscription to Better Homes & Gardens.

For more information, visit www.novihomeshow.com

Goldner Walsh hosting perennial gardening classes in Pontiac

Goldner Walsh is offering two classes for perennial gardening at the garden center, at 559 Orchard Lake Road, Pontiac. Attendees are invited to learn about how the old and new varieties can enhance gardens and landscape. New Perennials for 2014 is 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Later in the afternoon at 3 p.m., the second class will be offered: Flowers in the Shady Perennial Garden. Both classes are taught by George Papadelis of Telly's Greenhouse. The cost is $5 for each class. Call 248-724-2300 to enroll. Visit goldnerwalsh.com

Farmington Hills Nature Center hosting Maple Sugaring workshops

Farmington Hills Nature Center is hosting a workshop, Maple Sugaring in Your Own Backyard, which will take place on 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9 and March 23 at the Farmington Hills Nature Center. The workshop features information to identify and select a maple tree, collect the sap, boil it down, and turn it into syrup. A pure maple syrup treat and resources to start maple sugaring will be provided. All ages are welcome. The cost for each class is $7 per person or $21 per family of four. All materials are provided, as well as take-home resources. A portion of the program is outdoors. Registration is required at recreg.fhgov.com or at the Costick Center. The Farmington Hills Nature Center is in Heritage Park at 24915 Farmington Road, between 10 and 11 Mile Roads. Call 248-477-1135 or email asmith@fhgov.com.

Roses: Tips to make them last longer

Red is not the only color of rose that people can send – it depends on what message one is trying to convey. Jon Gerych of Gerych’s Graziella in Birmingham says it’s absolutely okay to give roses other than red to someone you love, respect, or admire.

“Red roses are typically sent to someone you love, pink roses are sent to those you admire or someone who brings you joy, yellow roses are given in friendship, white roses symbolize innocence and purity and are used a lot at weddings, orange roses mean passion and excitement, and lavender roses are a perfect symbol of enchantment.”

Gerych says that knowing a few tricks for caring for roses can keep them vibrant longer.

·        Keep them in a place with a constant temperature and out of sunlight

·        Give them a fresh cut every day

·        Change the water frequently

·        Put an aspirin in with the water, or even add some 7 UP to the water

Gerych’s offers flowers and floral arrangements, gifts, innovative events, and party rentals. Gerych’s Graziella is at 2005 Cole Street in Birmingham and also at 713 Silver Lake Road in Fenton. Call 248/723-5650.