Master Gardeners go green
Published 10:18 pm Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Amateur gardeners will be able to learn more about gardening and get some greenery to adorn their yards during the Suffolk Master Gardener Association’s fall gardening event on Saturday.
President Wanda Gerard said the group aims to grow the annual plant sale into an educational event where folks can learn from the Master Gardeners and other groups who have been invited.
“We’ve never pulled this much off in one event,” she said. “I think for our first effort at it, it’s going to be good.”
The traditional plant sale will be the centerpiece of the event, with perennials, shrubbery, trees, herbs, houseplants and a few annuals on sale. Some of the plants come from nurseries, and some — particularly the iris and Japanese maples — come from the gardens of association members.
Proceeds from the plant sale will go into the group’s general budget, which helps support educational programs for children and adults such as the children’s garden at Sleepy Hole Park and the educational display tents at Peanut Fest.
“It supports our educational mandate and the things needed to make that happen,” Gerard said.
Also included in the event will be a variety of other garden-related societies, including the Butterfly Society, Iris Society, Native Plant Society and Master Naturalists. The Suffolk Partnership for a Healthy Community also will be on scene.
The Master Gardeners also will have an information table to talk about general gardening topics with guests. There will be demonstrations on the benefits of a rain barrel and other subjects.
The event also includes a bake sale and craft sale.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Suffolk National Guard Armory, 2761 Godwin Blvd. Prospective Master Gardeners are encouraged to attend and learn more about the organization.