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I'm a plantaholic with the perfect job. I bring you the latest ideas and information about ornamentals and edibles (both virtual and in person), creating talks that are both instructive and highly entertaining.
w: www.successfulselfwateringcontainers.com
w: www.lorraineballato.com/blog
e: Lorraine@LorraineBallato.com
HERE'S MY SHORT TERM SPEAKING CALENDAR FROM MY WEBSITE:
As a freelance garden communicator, I wrote regular gardening columns for over 10 years, reaching more than 15,000 homes in western Connecticut. My writings include contributions to the section on "woodies" for the White Flower Farm Spring catalogs in addition to having my writing and photographs published regularly in Edible Nutmeg, Connecticut Gardener, and other horticultural publications.
As a professional horticulturist and Advanced Master Gardener, I have spoken on numerous gardening radio shows from Alaska to Connecticut. I'm an instructor at the New York Botanical Garden, in the Connecticut Master Gardener Program and have taught for The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut. I speak at regional symposiums, flower shows, to civic groups and garden clubs, among other organizations. I'm known for my good humor, charm, and encyclopedic knowledge of ornamentals and edibles, creating talks that are both instructive and highly entertaining on a broad range of subjects which I tailor to each audience, using impressive images from a sizable slide collection. I recently published a book, Success With Hydrangeas, A Gardener's Guide in addition to my first book, Successful Self Watering Containers: Converting Your Favorite Container to a Self-Waterer.
In my role as an Advanced Master Gardener, I work with a sizeable team of gardeners of all levels in a 3000 square foot organic fruit and vegetable garden in Fairfield County, CT. From April through October each year, we grow and donate over 900 pounds of produce to homeless shelters and food banks, train master gardener interns and assist the gardening public on a weekly basis. It's some of the most meaningful work I do.
The Connecticut garden that my husband and I have created is not only my laboratory but has been the subject of magazine articles and has been on several garden tours.
FOOLPROOF HYDRANGEAS
HYDRANGEAS, TO PRUNE OR NOT TO PRUNE
THE MAGIC OF REBLOOMING HYDRANGEAS
SHRUBS, THE NEW PERENNIAL
DESIGNING WITH SHRUBS: THE BACKBONE OF THE GARDEN
SAFE SOLUTIONS TO GARDENS AND LANDSCAPES
TROPICALS IN YOUR GARDEN
NOT YOUR GRANDMOTHER’S ROSES
GROWING ROSES ORGANICALLY
HOME GROWN HARVESTS
THE INS AND OUTS OF SELF WATERING CONTAINERS
“DEER PROOFING” YOUR GARDEN
GARDEN SMARTER: LOW MAINTENANCE GARDENING
SHADY CHARACTERS
VEGETABLES CONTAINED
Ronnie Brancazio from Flushing - 10/08/2020 11:47:15
Lorraine Ballato recently presented a webinar to the Long Island Horticultural Society on the topic "Success With Hydrangeas".
She provided an excellent four-page handout that included all the essential information that she planned to cover. Her well-organized presentation followed her outline, but was enriched with detailed information, lively anecdotes, and many beautiful photos. It never felt like a lecture, but more like an expert who is passionate about her subject and anxious to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with her audience. Her expertise really showed during the Q&A, where she had a clear, well-informed answer for every question! A truly outstanding speaker!
Donna DeSimone from Newington, Ct - 09/18/2020 10:30:07
Lorraine Ballato has amassed a tremendous knowledge In all aspects of growing “Successful Hydrangeas “ Her virtual program for Kensington Garden Club was given with great
enthusiasm while she shared her experiences and total passion for her love of growing these most beautiful flowers. This program with her expertise was most uplifting for all, I have received many compliments on how much our members and guests enjoyed this delightful program !!
Susan McQuarrie from Kensington - 09/17/2020 20:36:41
My library offered a WebEx on Hydrangeas (plants that surround my home and that I've been struggling with). The amount of information that Lorraine provided was amazing. Highly recommend her.