Showing posts with label Backyard gardeners festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Backyard gardeners festival. Show all posts

Monday, April 29, 2013

Backyard Gardener Festival


This weekend the local Master Gardeners
hosted their annual plant sale.





Most activities were outside in a nearby field.




One of the first tables I came across displayed orchids.


Never saw one with this shade of brownish-red before.
Glorious!



Orchids have a bad reputation for being difficult to care for,
but in our humid climate, they thrive with very little effort.




There were edibles for sale,




as well as a vast array of beauty for the eyes.





Textures were varied.



The contrast between the leaves and the blooms 
on this lovely is stunning!



Just look at the center of the blossom.




Zinnias are a personal favorite.
These were exceptionally large and vibrant.



There were many I'd never seen before.




The foliage was as diverse as the blooms.





There was a demonstration about worm farming on a small scale.




These critters can really improve your garden soil.
It's something I'd like to try.



There were a couple of garden design displays...



to give ideas to those of us who aren't so good at designing.




Rain barrels and mulch could be had for a small price.




This is perennial peanut.
Our city landscaper has used it in town
along the sidewalks throughout the downtown area.




It's drought tolerant, takes sun, heat, cold and some traffic.
It can die back with a freeze, but bounces back.
It's a great choice for the city, 
as it saves money on water and maintenance.




Here's what I brought home.

The perennial peanut will be tried in a test area in the backyard.
If it were up to me, I'd plant it everywhere we currently have sod.
Since we live in a deed-restricted community, 
I don't want to fight the HOA,
so we'll keep it in the backyard, away from prying eyes.
The Asiatic Jasmine will be planted under our weeping elm.
The Society Garlic found a place in our mailbox planter.
The Bald Cypress will be given to a friend 
who has the space to let it go.
Three more blue-eyed grass plants were brought home as well.
(Forgot to get the picture of them.)

All of the new plants join the rest 
of our growing native and Florida-friendly menagerie.
It makes gardening easier and provides habitat for local wildlife.
Enjoy your natives!



  http://www.anoregoncottage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/jtgpfinal.png



The Chicken Chick

Friday, April 26, 2013

Backyard Garden Festival


The 7th Annual Backyard
GardenFest and Plant Sale

Saturday, April 27, 2013
9 am to 2 pm
Polk County Extension Service Campus
1702 U.S. Highway 17 South
Bartow, FL 33830


GARDENING QUESTIONS? 

Visit the “Ask the Expert” Gazebo 
to chat with the IFAS Polk County Extension Horticulturist, 
Dr. David Shibles and the Polk County Master Gardeners. 
Visit the Florida Friendly Landscaping booth 
for free garden design ideas,information and hand-outs 
FREE pH soil testing—Bring a 1 cup soil sample in a small baggie
 


Plants and More for Sale
 FLORIDA-FRIENDLY AND NATIVE PLANTS 
BROMELIADS AND SUCCULENTS 
ORCHIDS & EDIBLES 
RAIN BARRELS 
BUTTERFLY & OTHER WILDLIFE ATTRACTING-PLANTS 
MELALEUCA MULCH 

AT THE GARDEN SHOP: 
TOOLS, CRAFTS, BOOKS, BIRDHOUSES, ART & POTTERY

 




THE POLK COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS PRESENT
‘Know & Grow’ Workshops:
10:00 am
11:00 am
Visit www.polkmastergardener.ifas.ufl.edu
BRING YOUR CART!

Youth Activities
Rain or Shine
Food & Fun!!!
Free Admission
Free Parking


"See you there!"
daisy

 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Backyard Gardener's Festival Update

Last weekend was the annual
Backyard Gardener's Festival at the local extension center.
Inside was a treasure trove of information
for the novice gardener.





Worm composting is something I'd like to try.
The presenter provided a checklist of materials and steps
to making the richest homemade black gold.





It was a beautiful day for the event.
Outside was a myriad of plants from which to choose.
Here's where the fun begins!






I headed for the natives right away.








A stroll around the Florida-friendly demonstration garden
is always a treat.









Here's what I came home with.
The perennial peanut was gone,
but I did end up with some Mondo grass.














I had to bring home at least one Florida Maple.
It's always been one of my favorite types of trees
and it's the perfect addition to the garden,
especially in the fall.

Hope you find some garden treasures for your oasis!








Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Upcoming Plant Sale

One of my favorite gardening events
is coming up this weekend.
I've been saving up to purchase a few more natives
for our backyard,
as well as some perennial peanut and mondo grass.
I'll post about my findings next week.
Looks like the weather is gonna be mighty fine!





Backyard Gardener's Festival

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
9:00 TO 2:00

HELD AT THE

POLK COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE CAMPUS

1702 U.S. HIGHWAY 17 & 98 SOUTH

BARTOW, FL 33830

(863) 519-8677



Seminars

9:30 - 10:15 RAIN BARRELS FOR THE HOME GARDEN 10:30 -11:15 BUTTERFLY GARDENING
11:30 -12:15 LANDSCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS
12:30 -1:15 VEGETABLE GARDENING

Garden Problems?

VISIT OUR ASK THE EXPERTS GAZEBO TO CHAT
WITH THE IFAS/POLK COUNTY EXTENSION HORTICULTURIST, DR. DAVID SHIBLES,
AND THE POLK COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS.

Gardening Exhibits

VISIT THE EXHIBITS IN THE STUART CENTER FOR FREE GARDENING IDEAS, INFORMATION AND HAND OUTS.

Selling
BUTTERFLY PLANTS
ORCHIDS
VEGETABLE PLANTS AND HERBS
BROMELIADS AND SUCCULENTS
HOUSE PLANTS
NATIVE PLANTS
RAIN BARRELS
GARDENING BOOKS
2012 CALENDAR
MELALEUCA MULCH
...AND MUCH MORE!

ENJOY A SELF-GUIDED

GARDEN TOUR!

VISIT OUR GARDEN SHOP!

FREE PH SOIL TESTING

BRING A 1 CUP SOIL SAMPLE

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

RAIN OR SHINE
 FREE ADMISSION
 FREE PARKING