The Morgan County Master Gardeners have a fantastic GardenFest planned for this year! They'll be in a brand new location at Bell Intermediate Academy in Martinsville. The school is located on Columbus Street, behind the Morgan County Fairgrounds. For anyone who's got the itch to plant something this spring - whether you just want a few pansies for your window box, you need the perfect garden accessory to attract hummingbirds, or you're planning a large-scale vegetable garden, GardenFest has something for you!
The Basics
Here's the scoop on this year's event, which includes educational presentations that are part of the Indiana Master Gardener Program from Purdue University. The event will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission is only $2 per person!
Vendor Booths
There will be a wide variety of garden related vendors on site that include everything from plants and yard art to fairy garden accessories and lots of locally made items. Browse through the vendor booths throughout the day. There will also be informational booths for the Master Gardeners, Morgan County Farmers Market, Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District, and other organizations, as well as free seeds and tree saplings while supplies last. Bring a soil sample and have it tested so you know the ph of your own personal garden spot, and ask a Master Gardener all your questions. Bring the kids - there will be garden related fun for all ages!
Speaker Sessions
Educational seminars are offered that count toward the Indiana Master Gardeners Program. These speakers are carefully chosen to provide interesting and useful education about gardening for both aspiring Master Gardeners and those with a more casual interest in gardening. This year's event will feature three different topics from knowledgeable speakers, listed below. There will also be container gardening demonstrations this year.
- Native Alternatives for Your Garden, with David Mow - 9:30 am
- Basic Indoor Seed Starting, with MCMG Seed Savers - 10:30 am
- Daffodils are Not Just Yellow, with Ruth Pelouch - 11:30 am
- An Appreciation of Tomatoes, with Dave Snyder - 12:30 pm
- Big Dreams, Small Spaces, with Colton Martin - 1:30 pm
Pansy Sale
As always, the Morgan County Master Gardeners will have their beautiful pansies for sale, three per pot or six pots per tray. There will also be a food vendor on hand at the venue as well for those who get hungry during the event, or explore nearby dining options in the Martinsville area.
Happy gardening!
