AUGUSTA

Greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers statewide will be celebrating on Saturday as the industry kicks off the growing season with Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day. This annual event is always the Saturday of the weekend before Mother’s Day.

For the sixth year, dozens of family-owned horticulture related businesses will hold special events to highlight gardening in Maine. Planned activities for the events include giveaways, door prizes, raffles, plants and balloons for children, container-planting demonstrations, personal tours, expert speakers and mini workshops. Participating greenhouses and nurseries also will preview spring introductions and share their expertise by offering gardening tips, information on plant varieties and ideas for window box and landscape design.

“The horticulture industry contributes over $280 million annually to Maine’s economy and provides thousands of jobs,” said Gov. Paul LePage. “Greenhouse and Nursery Day highlights the growing importance of Maine horticulture.”

“Every dollar spent in Maine greenhouses and nurseries support local economies,” said Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. “More than half of the plants sold in Maine are grown right here. I encourage Mainers to visit their local garden centers this Saturday for Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day.”

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses and provides technical assistance to more than 1,340 businesses selling plants in Maine. To support this growing industry, the department certifies plant exports, regulates imported plants and assists growers with plant pest problems.

Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day is supported by the Ornamental Horticulture Council and the Mid- Maine Greenhouse Growers Association.

For more information about Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day, go to: www.plants4maine.com/Gre enhouseAndNurseryDay.sht ml.