I devoted my last Saturday’s great event of The Western Mass Master Gardener Association’s Spring Gardening Symposium . As I walked in I immediately saw the used book table ready to be given away to  those who will be using them. I left several books myself – and then took  three books for myself.

Four programs were offered, but we only had the chance to attend two of  them. The Pleasures of a Cutting Garden, presented by Maida Goodwin of Quonquont Farm in Whately offered me – and us – an array of beautiful flowers that will  bloom all summer and into the fall. Going through all the kinds of flowers made me wanting to make sure I have at least a couple of long blooming flowers for our house. It all seemed miraculous.

Dan Ziomeck of Sugarloaf Gardens in Sunderland  introduced a selection of shrubs, including natives – which I always try to include. I could not attend this program – I cannot have any more shrubs in my garden.  However, I know the Sugarloaf people put on a great show.

I have known Lilian Jackman of Wilder Hill Farm for many years. A walk through her garden and her plants for sale is beautiful.  But you can see she has  other pleasures at her side.

Lilian is a woman of many parts and she not only writes books, she also prints the pictures.  I have two issues of the book, The Motive of the Wolf – which involves Saint Francis of Assissi, as well as a wolf.

The final program offered was The Diversity and Natural History of New England Bees: ‘Contemplation for the Garden’ presented by Joan Milam at the University of Massachusetts.    Her research included a systematic review of the bee fauna of Massachusetts, the effects of habitat restoration and fuels control on pine-barrens habitats, the bee fauna of remnant glacial outwash areas, the role of silviculture in enhancing bee pollination services in forested landscapes, and surveys of the bee fauna of suburban lawns in relation to management.  I have been paying more attention to honey bees myself because it was Lorenzo Langstroth, the minister of the Second Congregation Church in Greenfield, who created the honey frame, assuring honey all season.   Check out the MMGA for more information.