AUGUSTA – Greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers statewide will be celebrating on Saturday, May 3, as the industry kicks off the growing season with Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day.

For the fourth year, several dozen family-owned businesses will hold special events to highlight gardening in Maine. Planned activities 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.

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

“More than half of the plants sold in Maine are grown right here, and our greenhouses and nurseries work hard to promote the sale of their product locally,” said Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. “I encourage Mainers to visit their local garden centers on May 3 and enjoy Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day.”

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry licenses and inspects more than 1,307 businesses selling plants in Maine. To support the 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, go to http://www.plants4maine.com/GreenhouseAndNurseryDay.shtml.