Five great reasons to attend the Hardy Plant Society's Winter Program

To kick off their brand-new book, co-authors Paul Bonine and Amy Campion are speaking together at the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon's (HPSO) Winter Program on January 21.

Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner's Guide, is Bonine and Campion's newly-published Timber Press book.  I'm pretty excited about this guide because, looking through my copy, I can see that it will serve both as great inspiration and a valuable, ongoing reference for me and others who garden in the PNW. There's something for every gardener in this book, from new homeowners to experienced gardeners.

Here are five great reasons you'll want to hear the authors in person on the 21st! 

1) This program is for us
Paul and Amy will be speaking on the latest information about gardening in our area - the beautiful and temperate Pacific Northwest. If their book is any indication, they will discuss lesser-known and newer varieties that are increasingly appropriate for our cool, wet winters and dry, mediterranean summers. Based on the table of contents, they may also address garden culture and northwest garden style. Whatever they talk about, you can be sure it will be germane to our climate. 

2) Hometown hero gardening speakers 
Both speakers are based right here in Portland, Oregon. Paul Bonine has a lifetime of experience as a nurseryman in the PNW and is co-owner of Xera Plants, Inc - a wholesale source of excellent plants for our climate - and the Xera shop in Southeast Portland. Amy Campion worked for years in nurseries and is a talented writer, editor and photographer, as well as a knowledgeable and intrepid gardener.  

3) It's January for goodness sake!
Don't you need a garden fix? Even if you have a greenhouse, there's not a lot happening at this point in the year, garden-wise. If you're anything like me, you are already suffering from GTD - gardening-time deprivation. Why not connect with your gardening cohorts and get stoked for the coming garden season? 

4) Purchase the book and get it signed
Paul and Amy will have copies of the book available, and will be signing it at this event. You save the shopping time, the shipping costs and get two gardening rock-star autographs at the same time!

5) You could get in for free!
Join HPSO as a new member by January 19, and get free admission to the Winter Program! Join here: http://www.hardyplantsociety.org/become-a-member.  If you're already a member, the program is just $10. Non-member admission is $20.

The program takes place Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 1pm, at Portland State University, Hoffmann Hall, 1833 SW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR.
Registration is available here: https://tinyurl.com/hpso-winter-program-2018.

As you can probably tell, I'm looking forward to attending this program; I hope to see many of my local gardening friends there, too!