Library presenting annual garden event

DOWNTOWN AKRON — “A Garden Affair: Fun for All” will take place April 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Akron-Summit County Main Branch Library, 60 S. High St.

With multiple speakers and activities, this daylong celebration gives the community a chance to learn from local experts on topics such as organic vegetable and water gardening, disease and pest control, native perennials and more.

Local horticultural-related nonprofit groups will be on hand to discuss their services and events throughout the day.

The schedule includes:

• 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. — Amy Berens, education coordinator at Crown Point Ecology Center, will present “Putting Worms to Work in Your Garden.”

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Marilou Suszko will talk about local organic farming and the need to support local agriculture efforts.

• 11 a.m. to noon — A Saturday Story Time Sampler with a gardening theme will be hosted in the Children’s Library.

• 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. — Cathy Morgan will share secrets to growing herbs in containers at home with minimal care and expense. Chef Sarah Mentzer will follow with a cooking demonstration showing how to incorporate those fresh herbs into everyday meals.

• 2 to 3 p.m. — Kristen Hampshire, an award-winning writer and author of four outdoor design and landscaping books, will show attendees how to build a container garden and explore ideas for interesting “pots” to suit different personalities.

• 2 to 3:30 p.m. — A program called “How Does Your Garden Grow?” will take place in the Children’s Library with hands-on activities for the whole family.

• 2 to 3:30 p.m. — Teen-age participants can decoupage a flower pot with their own creative designs. Advance registration is necessary in the library’s teen department.

• 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. — Polly Kaczmarek, Flowerscape director for Keep Akron Beautiful, will give an overview of “What Keeps Akron Blooming,” including aspects of a successful urban garden.

• 9 a.m to 5 p.m. — Exhibit tables offering local resources will be set up on the High Street/Atrium Level.