Landscape Ontario’s Growers Group has a full-day of activities planned at the annual fundraising auction on Thurs., Sept. 10. This year’s event will take place at Somerville Nurseries’ Loretto farm, near Hockley Valley.

The popular auction is open to all members of the green industry and is a major fundraising event, where proceeds benefit horticultural research and scholarships. The day will get underway at 10:30 a.m. with wagon tours of the farm and product viewing, followed by lunch at 11:45 a.m. Judging of the Growers Awards of Excellence submissions will take place from 9:00 a.m. until 12-noon. Plant material and related products will go up for auction at 1:00 p.m., including the best-of-the-best award-winning entries. Attendees are advised to arrive early and get a bidder’s number.

New this year is the opportunity to win a Northern Ontario getaway, or golf package. The fantastic silent auction items include something for everyone. Auction bidders may pay by cash, cheque, Visa or Mastercard. Also of note, a special raffle item will be available for bidders only. Details will be revealed the day of the auction.

Plant material, hardgood donations and gift certificates to the auction are welcome and appreciated. For more information, contact Kristen McIntyre at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 321, auction@landscapeontario.com, or Kathleen Pugliese, ext. 309.

Somerville Nurseries is located at 9045 Tandragee Road in Loretto. For more information, and a map and directions to the site, go to www.horttrades.com/c?c=1604.