We Love Gardening 2026!

Clint Porritt

Clint Porritt is an Organic Master Gardener who enjoys "making soil" as part of his work with Star Cooperative Garden: a unique growing community centred around the ecologically sustainable practices of organic, deep-mulch, no-till gardening at The Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert, AB. He loves to talk about urban hens, microbes, mulch, soil development, and vermicomposting. Beyond Star Garden, Clint has served in consulting and development roles with both the Carmel Community Garden and the Sinkunia Community Garden in northeast Edmonton. Clint holds a Master of Theological Studies and is passionate about the connections between ecology and spirituality.

The Soil Is Alive: Five Regenerative Practices To Grow By

What does nature have to teach us about good gardening practice? How does nature plant, grow, harvest, and create healthy soil? Both scientists and modern gardeners have begun exploring such questions, only to discover answers that are turning the agricultural world upside down. Learn how the regenerative practices of no-dig, mulching, companion planting, composting, and biological diversity have changed the way we think about our relationship to nature and the way we grow.

Worm Manure: An Introduction to Vermicomposting
You don’t need farm animals around to get access to nutrient-rich manure. You need worms! Equipped with some low-cost supplies, anyone can produce vermicompost–the most coveted “black gold” of the gardening world. Take your composting to the next level by learning how to set-up a worm bin in your own home and turn kitchen scraps into incredible plant food year-round. Wormery kits will be available onsite for purchase.

Star Garden Walking Tour: The Story & Principles Behind Together We Grow

Star Cooperative Garden–now in its 6th growing season–is a unique growing community centred around the regenerative practices of organic, deep-mulch, no-till gardening at The Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert, AB. Dozens of volunteers have worked to turn a once barren half-acre patch of lawn, into a bountiful garden producing over a metric tonne of food for local families each year. With a focus on community education, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship, Star Garden has twice been recognized by the City of St. Albert as “green initiative”, and has been featured as a prime example of sustainable urban agriculture by CBC news.

Kevin Aschim

Kevin Aschim holds a BSc in Forestry, specializing in forest ecology, and an MBA from the University of Alberta. He brings more than 47 years of experience in water and wastewater treatment, agricultural nutrient management, and industrial process chemistry across agricultural, municipal, pulp and paper, mining, and oilsands sectors. Combining ecological training with extensive water management experience, Kevin now applies his expertise to restoring and protecting the ecological integrity of Big Lake and the Sturgeon River.

SOS: How to Save Our Sturgeon River

Kevin Aschim will present an ecological history of the Sturgeon River illustrating how climate and land use practises have contributed to its degradation.

We will also explore how we can repair our beautiful river by adopting better land use practices beginning in our own backyard gardens.

Melissa Penney

After spending years walking, hiking, and driving to photograph birds, Melissa tried something new in 2019. She decided to make the birds come to her! In the last five years she has had 111 species of birds visit her urban Edmonton backyard, with 83 species visiting in 2025 alone! Melissa’s interests have expanded to gardening, native plants, and insects and how they work together to create a diverse wildlife habitat. In May of 2025 she published a book to teach people how to create their own backyard habitats. A Playground for Birds: How to turn your yard into an avian oasis, has become a local bestseller. In addition to her yard being certified by the Canadian Wildlife Federation as a wildlife friendly habitat, she loves having a space for her amazing family to play, relax, and visit with friends. When she isn’t working on her own habitat, Melissa is a freelance photographer, a mom to three amazing and busy kids, and wife to a fantastic guy who understands her need to live outside more than inside.

How To Attract Hummingbirds With Annual Flowers

You can never have enough flowers for hummingbirds! But, you need to have the right ones if you would like them to visit you. Learn about what attracts hummingbirds to your yard, what they need to successfully nest and migrate and Melissa’s top picks for annual flowers.

Supporting Nesting Birds With Your Garden

Birds nesting in your yard and nearby rely heavily on your garden. Learn what you can do to attract more nesting birds and how your garden can help them nest successfully. What you plant and where makes a difference!

Aida Mustapic

Aida is a certified Organic Master Gardener and passionate urban gardener with nearly two decades of experience growing her own organic backyard vegetable garden.

With a strong understanding of soil chemistry and the microbial interactions that influence plant health, she integrates regenerative agriculture practices and eco-friendly pest management strategies to maximize productivity in urban spaces.

Aida is dedicated to chemical-free, sustainable gardening practices that restore soil health, support pollinators, and produce nutrient-dense food. She believes gardening is a timeless activity that strengthens community, enhances physical and mental well-being, benefits the environment, and provides meaningful opportunities to develop new skills in sustainable urban agriculture.

She is passionate about empowering others to discover that anyone, regardless of the size of their space, can grow a thriving garden.

Feed the Soil, Not the Plant: Regenerative Fertility for Healthy Gardens
How and Why to Move Beyond Synthetic Fertilizers

Discover how different nutrients influence plant growth at various stages of development, from strong roots and healthy foliage to abundant flowers and fruit. This presentation will explore a range of natural and organic fertilizers, their benefits, and how to use them effectively in the garden.

Learn why organic fertilizers do more than simply feed plants—they also build healthy, living soil that supports beneficial microorganisms, improves nutrient cycling, and creates stronger, more resilient plants. Whether you are new to gardening or looking to transition away from synthetic fertilizers, this session will provide practical knowledge for growing healthier gardens naturally.

Mark Stump-Allen

Mark is an Environmental Education and former “Compost Doctor” with City of Edmonton. Mark has gardened in this region for five decades and hope to build soil that will grow tasty, nutrient-dense food like he enjoyed growing up. Since retiring as the City of Edmonton’s Compost Doctor (2008-2020) he’s been heading up the Master Gardener Program in Stony Plain.

How I Got Rid of Powdery Mildew, Potato Beetles, Cabbage Whites, Slugs, and, finally, Lily Beetles: 3 steps to better gardening.
Learn how Plant Health, Biodiversity, and Soil Succession keep pests and disease away.

Summer Symposium - regular

^$25.00

Summer Symposium - senior/student

^$20.00

Max Capacity

60 people

Summer Gardening Symposium

Event Details

Join us for an enriching and inspiring Gardening Symposium, where local gardening enthusiasts, horticulture experts and nature lovers come together to explore the regenerative and environmentally friendly ways and techniques to cultivate beautiful and sustainable gardens.