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Thoughts turn to gardening at the first hints of spring

It’s getting to be that time of year again when thoughts turn towards spring

It’s getting to be that time of year again, when the daylight grows longer and hopefully the temperatures rise, so thoughts turn towards spring.

Once more, many people start to long to get their hands dirty and get back to working the garden.

So once again, Campbell River Elder College is offering another series of unique talks aimed at enhancing seniors’ green thumbs.

The series begins Tues., Feb. 28, and runs for six weeks, starting at 1 p.m.

Each week features a different gardening topic.

Appropriately, the series kicks off with Preparing the Garden for the New Planting Season  under the guidance of Nigel Lambeth, owner of the Campbell River Garden Centre.

Plant Physiology and Pruning is the title of week two’s session March 6, when Chris Trehearne will discuss plant makeup and how plants grow, with special attention to how to help them do that by prudent pruning.

Invasive Plants is the topic March 13 with Barb Phipps, an experienced gardener who will explain how to deal with those nasty intruders: identification, elimination and proper disposal.

And the ever-popular Growing and Saving Dahlias will be back again March 20 under expert Rick Monchak, who is always in charge of that for the sell-out section of St. Peter’s Anglican Church Garden Sale. And last, but not least, on March 27, Dr. Thierry Vrain will be on hand as a knowledgeable soil biologist to talk about GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and Responsible Care of the Soil.

The retired biologist from the Department of Agriculture, who is also an avid gardener, is expected to provide a thought-provoking discussion.

Fee for the five-part series is $30, but members of Elder College can also sign up for individual classes at $7 each. All classes are open to anyone aged 50 plus.

You can register in person at North Island College or online at  www.nic.bc.ca/eldercollege