Master Gardeners to present ‘Pumpkin Mania’ at botanical garden

MADISON COUNTY – An upcoming workshop will show the steps to decorate a front entrance and a dining room table with Nature’s symbol of autumn, the pumpkin.

Two members of Master Gardeners of North Alabama Inc., Gloria Uhl and Cookie Kruvand will present the “Pumpkin Mania — Decorating and Trivia” workshop. Huntsville Botanical Garden will host the event in the Anderson Education Classroom on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon.

“Fall is the time when pumpkins are at their peak production. Save your waistline and skip making another pumpkin pie. Learn how to make a festive but sophisticated decoration using pumpkins,” Master Gardener spokesperson Nareatha Studdard said.

Workshop participants will learn about creative yet easy-to-do ideas for using pumpkins:

* Craft a candleholder from a pumpkin.

* Turn a pumpkin into a holder or natural vase for a flower bouquet.

* Imagine and design a pumpkin centerpiece with flowers for the holiday table.

* Use decorative pumpkins in various colors and unusual gourds to enhance your front porch or table for the festive fall season.

Uhl and Kruvand will use three pumpkins during the workshop demonstration. The decorated pumpkins will be given away as door prizes.

The workshop is free. However, seating will limited. Register early by visiting mginfo.org/workshops.

Workshop leader Gloria Uhl was born in New York, then lived in Florida and now Huntsville. She has worked in administrative management in the dentistry field and at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Fla. Gloria learned many lessons about gardening from her grandmother and mother.

Gloria became a Master Gardener in Citrus County, Fla. Today, she and husband Fred enjoy organic vegetable gardening and raise red wigglers to help keep their garden healthy. She volunteers with horticulture therapy and at Morris School.

Also a presenter, Kruvand earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Kansas. She moved to Huntsville in 1997 and became a Master Gardener in 1999.

Now a Lifetime member and Advanced MG, Kruvand serves on the MG Speakers Bureau and is a member of Herb, Hosta and Native Plant Societies; Land Trust and Nature Conservancy; and Huntsville Botanical Garden. Her home has earned certification as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat with National Wildlife Federation.