2026 Licking County Gardening Conference - Unusual Gardens in Your Backyard $60 Save the Date 🌱
The Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers invite you to the annual gardening conference, open to everyone who enjoys growing plants.
📅 Saturday, March 14, 2026
📍 OSU Newark Campus - Reese center
🎟️ Tickets go on sale in January and this event fills fast, sells out every year
🌿 2026 Theme: Unusual Gardens in Your Backyard
You will hear practical ideas that help you rethink small spaces and try new approaches at home. This conference also arrives at the perfect time of year. It helps soothe the urge to get outside while winter is still around. Central Ohio gardeners wait until late May to plant outdoors, so this day helps you plan and daydream about spring projects.
Speakers
• Joseph Tychonievich, author of Rock Gardening: Reimagining a Classic Style
• Debra Knapke, The Garden Sage
• Denise Schreiber, author of Eat Your Roses
You will find vendors, a silent raffle, and friendly conversations with other gardeners.
Registration
• Register by January 31 to pay 50 dollars
• Starting February 1, the fee is 60 dollars
• Tickets at the door are 75 dollars
• Boxed lunch, coffee and pastries are included
MGV website: [https://fourseasonsofgardening.org/2026-spring-conference](https://fourseasonsofgardening.org/2026-spring-conference)
9:00-9:20 Registration & Complimentary Muffins & Vendor Visits
(Auditorium)
9:20-9:30 Welcome & Opening Remarks
(Auditorium)
9:30-10:20 Denise Schreiber, “Mrs Know It All” Pittsburg, PA
Beyond the Garden Gate, Peeking at the Neighbor’s
(Ballroom/Hallway).
10:20–10:40 Break-Visit Vendors & Raffle Tables
(Auditorium)
10:40–11:30 Debra Knapke, “The Garden Sage”
Columbus Ohio
Wanting it All—Evolving as a Gardener
(Ballroom)
11:30-12:15 Lunch (Catered/Visit Vendors & Raffle Tables
12:30–1:00
Break Out—Session 1
(Ballroom) Dawn Seymour
Hungry for Change: Avoiding “the Jones’” with Intentional Design
(Auditorium) Ryan Slaughter, Ross County Ag. & Natural
Resources Extension Educator
Growing Berries in Home Gardens
(Ballroom)
1:10–1:40 Break Out Session 2
Dawn Seymour
Hungry for Change: Avoiding “the Jones’” with Intentional
Design
(Auditorium) Ryan Slaughter
Growing Berries in the Home Garden
(Ballroom/Hallway)
1:40-2:10 Break: Final Visit to Vendors & Raffle Tables
2:10–3:00 Joseph Tychonievich, South Bend, IN, Writer, Plant Breeder, Gardener
Big Ideas, Small Spaces: Making Creative Gardens on Small Properties