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If ever there was a year when Northeast Michigan needed a little spring inspiration, this is it.
Look no further than the upcoming "Let's Get Growing" garden show sponsored by MSU Extension. After 15 years, it has become a spring staple in Alpena.
This Saturday, nearly all local garden-related businesses and organizations will be under one roof at the Alpena Mall. Following the long winter, both experienced and novice gardeners can get excited about getting their hands in the soil, watching the grass green-up and the buds break into flowers.
The garden show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., provides the perfect opportunity to get answers to any garden-related questions, learn about new plants in the nurseries and come up with some landscaping ideas. Estimates are that the event attracts approximately 800 people or more.
The mall is expected to be filled again with vendors, including Alpena Farmer's Market vendors who will be selling their goods. In addition, the Remembering Our Children group will be hosting a big bake sale.
The focus of the MSU Extension display this year will feature the Michigan Master Gardener Program, which they hope to offer later this summer and fall. In addition, Dr. Sarah Rautio, an extension horticulture educator, will be on hand to answer gardening questions and to share Smart Gardening tips.
According to the Michigan State Climatologist Office, the percent probability in Alpena of a temperature of 32 degrees or lower drops from 75 percent on May 22 to 50 percent on May 31 and 25 percent on June 8. With that in mind, MSU Extension recommends now as a good time to consider taking a soil sample in preparation for the upcoming growing season.
Given recent snow events, seeing what local nurseries and other garden-related businesses and organizations have to offer also is the perfect way to get that much needed spring inspiration.