Enjoy “A Day in the Garden” with Sussex County Master Gardeners on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tour at your own pace the 32 specialty gardens in the one-acre Demonstration Garden behind the University of Delaware’s Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center on County Seat Highway (Route 9) west of Georgetown.
The specialty gardens feature all sorts of plants that grow in Delaware, from natives to azaleas, hydrangeas, herbs and small fruit trees and shrubs to vegetables and ground covers. Look for caterpillars and butterflies in the butterfly garden or explore the newly established meadow garden. Pollinators abound in the mixed border garden, and goldfish are happy in a small fish pond. Bring your camera for beautiful photo ops!
Master Gardeners will provide a myriad of information in workshops, demonstrations and one-on-one conversations. If you are new to Delaware, there’s a special workshop just for you by Susan Trone and Maggie McLaughlin. Michele Walfred will share information on how to successfully grow, prune and propagate hydrangeas. Learn to make salsa with Ana Dittel or how to grow ground covers with Gainor Urian. Make a log and succulent centerpiece with Mary Noel (limited to 20 participants) or learn about beekeeping from Jim Hopkins.
Bring your gardening questions, unidentified bugs and samples or photos of sick plants to the “Ask an Expert” table for advice from Brian Kunkel, Megan Pleasanton and Tracy Wootten. Compare invasive plants now banned from sale or exchange by the state with alternatives you can grow instead.
Children can join a butterfly scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Children as well as adults can create a take-home mobile sun-catcher from CDs, using paint, jewels and buttons.
Master Gardener puppeteers will present “The Misadventures of Peter Rabbit in Farmer McGregor’s Garden” at 11 a.m. The award-winning educational show, loosely based on the Beatrix Potter story, encourages children and adults in the audience to participate.
Don’t leave without visiting the plant sale in “the grove” near the entrance, where you will find lots of native plants and other annuals, perennials, ferns, shrubs and even trees lovingly propagated by Master Gardeners. Profits from the sale help support Master Gardener programs and the Demonstration Garden.
The event will be held rain or shine. For a complete schedule of the day’s events, visit: http://www.udel.edu/001078 or call 302-856-7303.