Got a gardening question? Interested in growing your own food, or how to preserve your garden’s bounty? Come to Onslow County’s Extension Master Gardeners’ annual Spring Garden Festival and Plant Sale and more on Saturday. April 23, 8AM-1PM. Free admission. Rain or shine; 4024 Richlands Highway, next to the Discovery Gardens. Onslow County Farmers’ Market will be open with local vendors selling farm and home products.
This event is everyone’s favorite plant sale, featuring hardy plants started by Master Gardeners, from veggies, perennials, shrubs, herbs to, best of all – tomato plants. Pick up some pollinator-friendly perennials and native shrubs to beautify your yard. All plants are reasonably priced and ideally suited to growing in Onslow.
There’ll be free activities for children, led by Mindy Rusch, Master Gardener volunteer and popular Kids Korner crafter. Gardening classes, no fee, by experienced Master Gardeners Christina “Coach” Lewis, Celeste Cavanaugh and Jean; pre-register through Eventbrite (walk-ins welcomed if space available).
Check out the research-based displays on composting, poison plants (some will surprise you!) and how to fire-proof your landscape. Stop by and “Ask a Master Gardener” for expert horticultural information, find out about a plant problem, and pick up a free soil test kit.
You can even spend a buck to buy a chance to win a garden-themed gift basket by local floral artist and Master Gardener Polly Kopka. Or pick up a rain barrel (or two), newly built by Master Gardener volunteers, Extension Agents and assistants; $70 – hurry, they go fast.
Onslow Cooperative Extension’s Family and Consumer Sciences will demonstrate cooking with herbs and other homegrown fare. Friendly, helpful ideas for using fresh produce; how to preserve what you harvest through canning, drying, or freezing; tips on how to stretch your food budget.
4-H Youth will assist shoppers with plants and gardening activities. These energetic youths are always ready to serve their communities and demonstrate their skills.
All sale proceeds go to support the Discovery Gardens, a public demonstration garden maintained by Master Gardener volunteers. Take a stroll while you’re there! Visit the summerhouse beside the pond, watch for turtles and butterflies where bio cells filter runoff, tread the woodsy walkway shaded by native trees.
Families enjoy the accessible Children’s Garden, a new addition that helps youngsters learn about nature and gardening through sensory activities. The Discovery Gardens open daily dawn to dusk.
Onslow County Master Gardener Volunteers are a non-profit educational group, an extension of NCSU and NC A&T, reaching out to residents and visitors with free gardening assistance based on proven research. They attend a six-week training course and maintain their credentials through continuing education and volunteer service. To learn more, contact Onslow Cooperative Extension Service, 910-455-5873 or email onslowplantclinic@gmail.com.