Recreation

Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day May 4

    AUGUSTA — Greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers statewide will be celebrating on Saturday, May 4 as the industry kicks off Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day.

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    MAINE GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY DAY — Tiffany Smith, granddaughter of Country Junction Greenhouse and Gardens owner Sally Smith, holds up a collection of pansies at the Bradford business, which also has a collection of geraniums on display (below). Greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers across the state will be celebrating on Saturday, May 4 as the industry kicks off Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day.

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    For the fourth year, several dozen family-owned businesses will hold special events to highlight the fun and joy of gardening in Maine. Planned activities for the events include giveaways, door prizes, raffles, plants and balloons for children, container-planting demonstrations, personal tours, expert speakers and mini workshops. Participating greenhouses and nurseries also will preview spring introductions and share their expertise by offering gardening tips, information on plant varieties and ideas for window box and landscape design.
    “Greenhouse and Nursery Day helps highlight the importance of horticulture to Maine’s economy,” Gov. Paul R. LePage said. “In addition to providing thousands of jobs, the horticulture industry contributes over $280 million annually to Maine’s economy.”
    “More than half of the plants sold in Maine are grown right here, and our greenhouses and nurseries work hard to promote the sale of their product locally,” said Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. “I encourage Mainers to take advantage of this opportunity to visit their local garden centers on May 4 and enjoy the wonderful fun and educational events being offered.”
    The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses and inspects more than 1,307 businesses selling plants in Maine. The Department also certifies plant exports, regulates imported plants and assists growers with plant pest problems.
    Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day is supported by the Ornamental Horticulture Council and the Mid-Maine Greenhouse Growers Association. For more information about Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day, go to www.plants4maine.com/GreenhouseAndNurseryDay.shtml.

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