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SPEAKERS BUREAU
 

Horticultural presentations by Master Gardeners of The Ohio State University Extension may be scheduled by contacting Donna Schneider at MGSpeakerBureau@gmail.com. Please contact her for the topics listed below, or other presentations.

Formats: Digital = PowerPoint presentation; Demos = demonstrations of materials

Presentation Topics: - presently under construction. Will be supplemented with additional photos and descriptions as information is obtained.

  Titles Format Presentation Description
AfricanViolets African Violets and Other House Plants Digital

Starting with a brief history of house plants, the light requirements, soil, and watering needs leads to a brief discussion of the benefits of growing house plants.  Then a deeper dive discussing key aspects, including propagation of one of the most popular house plants, African violets, which currently have over 19,000 named hybrids! 

Ferns All About Ferns Digital

Ferns provide beautiful contrast and interest to a shady and partially shady garden.  In "All about Ferns", you will learn about the characteristics of ferns, indoor and outdoor growing tips, the many different varieties of ferns and even some fun fern facts and folklore.

0 Alliums Digital

There are over 800 species of this this hardy herbaceous plant.  They are grown for the beauty of their flower, but more so because they are edible.  Think garlic, leek, onion!   This presentation discusses what are alliums and how you can grow them.

Waterlily Aquatic Container Gardening Digital You may have a water garden on your patio or porch with minimal effort and expense. See the needs for growing waterlilies, lotus and other aquatic plants. (The principles also generally apply for ponds.)
Botany Basic Botany for Gardeners Digital Botany is the scientific study of plants. Having a basic understanding of plant biology can help you be a better gardener. The basic anatomy of roots, stems, leaves is presented, along with the life cycle of flowering plants, with the production of fruits and seeds.
1 Butterfly Gardening:  Plant It and They Will Come! Digital This presentation looks at why butterflies matter, why they’re in trouble, and what we can do in our yards to help them.  A successful butterfly garden must include what these marvelous insects need:  both host plants and nectar plants.  It’s no surprise – butterfly gardening is, for the most part, native plant gardening.  We’ll explore several examples of Ohio butterflies and which plants will attract them and help conserve them.
Winterberry

Color through the Seasons - Choosing the Right Shrubs and Companion Plants

Digital

The gardening calendar doesn't only last 6 months of the year. It is possible to have four seasons of color and interest. Plants that can fulfill multiple roles can help gardeners achieve that goal. The advantages of using shrubs for the backbone of the year-round garden are explored. This presentation also examines companion plants that provide seasonal interest and support this versatile framework of the landscape border.

0 Composting: Let it Rot Digital

“Let it Rot” - This presentation will walk you through what goes on in a compost pile, how to build one of your own, and how to use that wonderful black gold in your gardens.  The Master Gardeners will be ready to answer all your questions about composting including where to get the ingredients and what might go wrong!

ContainerVeg Container Vegetable Gardening Digital Vegetables growing just outside your door is easy and fun!  Learn how to grow your favorite vegetables in containers--even potatoes! Choosing the right containers, proper soil, watering and much more are part of this presentation.
Cool Weather Vegetable Gardening Cool Weather Vegetable Gardening Digital Learn how a gardener, with good planning, can extend the growing season by introducing vegetables that like cool temperatures into their garden.  This presentation provides the information necessary to keep a vegetable garden active from March until November and beyond!
Creative Container Gardening Creative Container Gardening Digital

Container Gardening is a way to make gardening accessible to everyone. Containers can be grown on patios, backyards and porches.  This presentation will share with you the planting and care basics and give you an understanding of the design principles to make a creative container garden. With this knowledge and your creativity you can make your own one of a kind planting.

Design Tips Design Tips for Planning a Gorgeous Perennial Garden Digital Cuyahoga County Master Gardeners will introduce elements of landscape design to help you plan a spectacular low maintenance perennial bed or border.
0 England's Crown Jewel: The Chelsea Flower Show Digital Considered the world's top garden show, you’ll see spectacular photos of this annual London event and expand your knowledge of Great Britain’s enduring horticultural legacy. Huge “Show Gardens,” exquisite garden sculpture, and the “Great,” a massive white tent an acre in size, showcasing exhibits from  60 of the UK’s finest nurseries.
Hydrangeas

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Hydrangeas

Digital There’s a beautiful hydrangea for every garden. Learn about the different types and how to care for them.
0 Fall Planting for
Spring Harvest
Digital A presentation broken down by winter vegetable gardening and fall flower gardening. Planting vegetables in late summer and fall for harvest in late winter and spring--addresses site requirements, suggested plantings and methods. Methods and plant suggestions for perennials, biennials and hardy annuals. Emphasis on vegetables, but also mention of flowers.
0 Fragrance in
the Garden
Scented
demos
Learn about the sense of smell in the garden, the reasons for fragrance (attraction of pollinators, survival, ...), what parts are fragrant, timing of scent and utilizing scent in the placement of plants in the garden. Demonstrations of scented essential oils allow you to experience the fragrances.
American Evolution Garden History:
Evolution of American
Homes and Landscape
Digital See the evolution of American home construction and landscape design from the settlers era to present. This overview includes many landscape accessories.
World Evolution

Garden History:
Evolution of Western Landscape

Digital Trace the evolution of gardens in the Western World from the beginning to present. This survey contains pictures and paintings of Western gardens over time, including some Eastern influence.
Notable American Garden History:
Notable American
Landscapes
Digital Tour notable American landscapes from the Colonial and early Federal Eras through the Gilded Age. See many of America's great homes and their gardens.
TJ Landscape Architect Garden History:
Thomas Jefferson Landscape Architect
Digital A garden history presentation using the life of Thomas Jefferson to illustrate the horticultural influences which shaped him for producing his landscape architectural and garden projects. Extensive pictures include Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, Poplar Forest and the University of Virginia. Historic garden restoration and design considerations are included.
Shade Gardening Gardening in the Shade Digital Shade doesn’t have to limit your ability to create a beautiful and interesting garden.  Learn about planning your shade garden and plants that will thrive in less than full sun.
0 Going Underground with Bulbs, Rhizomes, Corms and Tubers Digital An overview of how to grow healthy, beautiful bulbs in your garden which shows some familiar favorites as well as some of the more unusual bulbs available, and presents a plan for three-season color in your own garden. For bulbs, corms, tubers and rhizomes, the presentation addresses the history, different kinds, growing requirements and care, and pests and diseases.
Groundcovers Ground Covers Digital Defines ground covers and their uses. Presents best ground covers for various landscape problems. Pros and Cons of the 5 most popular ground covers are discussed. Planting strategies are included.
Tomatoes Heirloom Vegetables and Flowers Digital

Growing heirloom vegetables and flowers  has become very popular.  But beyond being a gardening trend, there are pleasures and advantages in growing these delicious and beautiful plants.  In this presentation, you will learn why heirlooms are important, what to consider when growing heirlooms, the difference between hybrids and heirlooms, seed-saving, as well as common and Ohio based heirloom plants and varieties and general gardening tips.

0 Herbs:
Spice Up Your
Garden and
Cooking with
Herbs
Digital A discussion of herbs and the multitude of their uses, including ornamental, culinary, fragrances, where and how they may be grown in the landscape or garden; herbs for beginners; herb cultivation, harvesting and preservation. Detail is provided for culinary and aromatic herbs.
Rabbit How to Keep the Unwanted at Bay: The Problem of Wildlife in our Gardens Digital Do you have deer, chipmunks, skunks, or rabbits frolicking in your garden?   Have they ever dined uninvitedly on your carefully tended plants?  This talk will focus on the problem of wildlife in our gardens and what we can do about it.  Learn about deer and rabbit resistant plants and suggest humane options for repelling and eliminating these pesky critters from our gardens.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea Digital

Why aren't my hydrangeas blooming? This is one of the most common questions asked about these beautiful blooming shrubs. In this presentation learn about the six most common species of hydrangeas, the best conditions for growing each type, and advice on how and when to prune them.

Hydroponics Hydroponics Digital

This presentation briefly discusses the history of hydroponics, the six basic types of hydroponics growing methods, the current world hydroponics trends, the overall advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics, and finally shows a working commercial example of a significant hydroponic system in the heart of Cleveland Ohio.

0 Lovable Lavender Digital Lavender is one of the most popular garden herbs around.  It is a fragrant,  versatile and easy to grow plant, with uses in all types of gardens.  Learn more about the different Lavender varieties, the history of lavender, how to create the best growing environment, how to use in cooking and in crafts and more.
0 Master
Gardener
Program
Digital An overview of the Master Gardener Program, including training and activities.
Monet Monet’s Garden Digital

Claude Monet’s gardens and paintings Illustrate the key elements of garden design.

0

Native North American Perennials for Your Garden

Digital Learn the history of native plants in North America and Ohio, the differences between exotic, naturalized and noxious plants and suggestions for sun and shade.
Native Plants Native Plants--Rugged Easy Care Survivors Digital With the wild swings in our weather, gardeners need plants that are tough and can survive.  Native plants have evolved to withstand our region's characteristics.  Gardeners not only want rugged plants but also easy to care for plants.  This presentation covers trees and shrubs, perennials, and grasses  that are native to our region and can withstand our climate.  Also covered: using rain gardens to solve some problems caused by the weather.
Orchids Orchids: Can I
Grow Orchids in
My Home?
Digital This presentation attempts to dispel many of the myths about the difficulty ofgrowing orchids, covers the 5 easiest types a beginner should try, and provides other general information about orchid cultivation.
Organic Gardening Organic Gardening Digital Ever wonder what Organic Gardening entails?  This presentation covers soil basics, plant selection and care as well as fertilizing and pest control.
0 Ornamental
Grasses
Digital How and why to use ornamental grasses in the landscape. Discussion of different species of ornamental grasses.
Ornamental Vines Ornamental
Vines
Digital Vines can be unpredictable and adventuresome. But are adaptable, hardy, lovely to look at, intoxicating to breathe in and can have four season interest in the garden.
Overwintering Overwintering Patio Plants Digital We work to brighten our patios or yards with containers each Spring. But as Fall approaches we need to plan what plants we can overwinter and how to do it. This presentation will help you plan and succeed in overwintering a wide range of plants.
Pest Control Pest Control Without Chemicals Digital Managing garden pests in your vegetable garden without chemicals may be easier than you think.  Some basic practices in conjunction with using a few natural products will allow for the production of healthy chemical-free vegetables.  Addressed are the three most effective non-chemical supplements to combat pests, the most common pests based on vegetable family and subfamily groupings, and some aids to provide you with all the information you need for the garden.
Phenology Phenology:  Nature’s Calendar Digital Phenology is the study of cyclical natural events that happen in response to seasonal and climate changes in the environment.  Using these observations, scientists can develop a yearly calendar of when certain events will occur, just by tracking temperature.  This presentation explores the history of phenology, the development of a calendar by Ohio State and how we can do some citizen-science observing and exploring on our own.  This is a good presentation to show in late winter…in anticipation of spring!
The Power of Pollinators The Power of
Pollinators
Digital The vital role of pollinators for our plant life, food supply and economy is illustrated, with an overview of several types of pollinators and measures that may be taken to support the health and numbers of pollinators. This presentation is composed of three modules. "The Power of Pollinators" was created by a partnership between The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, The University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, and The Ohio State University Bee Lab and Pollinatarium.
Pruning Pruning:   When, Where, and How    Digital Interested in improving the appearance and increasing the vigor of your landscape plants?   This presentation discusses the appropriate time and proper technique for pruning shrubs and deadheading flowering plants.
Pruning Pruning Your Plants the Correct Way Digital Pruning is an essential part of plant maintenance.  It involves removing plant parts---branches, flowers, fruit, seed pods, etc.  Learn proper techniques and times to prune!
0 Putting Your Garden
to Bed
Digital As fall winds down and winter approaches, gardeners need to address some basic maintenance that will make their work in the spring much easier.  This presentation explains the basic chores for preparing for winter.  Topics covered will include lawns, roses, evergreens and shrubs, flower beds, vegetable gardens, containers and tools.
Rain Gardens Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels    Demonstration

This demonstration presentation provides answers to what are they, where to locate, how big should they be, how to attach the barren to a structure and what plants will benefit from them.

Seed Starting Seed Starting          Demonstration

This is a demonstration presentation on how to have success with seed starting.  Participants will learn about proper containers, planting, light, heat, how to set up an area at home, when to start, how to water, how to prevent dampening off, and how to harden off.

Soil Test
Soil Testing Digital Soil Testing is the best way to learn about your soil, what's good about it, and what it needs.  This presentation includes how to collect and prepare the soil  samples, and understanding the information received.  Did you know that your soil should be tested about every 3 years!
Succulents Success with Succulents Digital Succulents can be more than “Hens and Chicks.   This presentation introduces you to many unusual varieties, teach you how to grow and care for them and help you to design interesting planters. 
0 10 Essentials of Vegetable Gardening Talk, handout The talk is designed to get everyone to grow some of their own food by outlining 10 simple things they can do to have their own vegetable garden -- doesn't involve tilling, or major effort, time or money. 
0 Vegetable Gardening--
A ll You Need to Know
Digital How to start a vegetable garden from scratch. While aimed at helping the begginer, there are lots of tips for the more experienced gardener. Container gardening is touched upon. Easy-to-grow variety recommendations are included.
0 Waking the
Garden in
Spring
Digital A month-by-month discussion of garden chores that need to be done from March through June. The progam includes clean-up, fertilization, pruning and planting of lawns, flower beds, trees, roses and vegetables. A very practical approach for home owners.
Weeds Weeds!  Digital This PowerPoint presentation describes who and what they are, how they reproduce, how to control them and other topics related to these unwanted plants in our gardens.
When to Harvest When and How Do
I Harvest
Digital Growing vegetables has great rewards!  Whether enjoying them immediately in a salad, as a dinner dish, or canning and freezing for later use--this presentation includes all you need to know about the right time to harvest and how to do it!
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

 

 

 


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