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Master Gardener Gardening Fair draws big crowd to fairgrounds
Goodbye, winter and hello, spring. Last Saturday, March 19, was the last day of winter, and inside the Community Building, Putnam County gardeners were getting inspired to celebrate a new growing season. It was a gardening celebration.
Close to 750 people attended the "Gardening Fair -- Something for Everyone" hosted by the Putnam County Master Gardener Association.
While it was cold and blustery outside, the indoors was full of plants and flowers and flowering shrubs and trees. Snowy Pines lent flowering trees and shrubs and ornamentals -- decorating the stage area to look like a landscaped garden. DePauw greenhouse folks lent two ZiZi plants, while several beautiful garden items were also lent for the day by Country Folks Greenhouse and Produce. Greencastle's Kroger store loaned several plants, too. Master Gardeners even brought their favorite house plants from home, including the showiest and the most interesting.
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. things were always going on. Because the Master Gardeners' focus is to educate people about the many facets of gardening, seven different speakers gave presentations.
Early in the morning, Steve and Missy Carrell of Ponderosa Aqua Farm in Spencer explained "Aquaponics." During the rest of the day, the Carrells shared tasty samples of the delicious microgreens they raise and sell.
Following the discussion on aquaponics, national artist Donna Harcourt taught people "How to Paint Flowers"before author and radio personality Moya Andrews presented "Continuity of Color," inspiring gardeners with suggestions for how to choose garden plants so that the garden is always full of color, from the beginning of spring through fall, and even in winter.
In the afternoon, Tavia Pigg from the Flying Pigg Butterfly Ranch discussed "Butterfly Gardening," showing remarkable photographs and explaining the life cycle of butterflies, and suggesting what gardeners should plant -- especially plants native to the area -- to attract butterflies and other pollinators. Matt Chandler of Chandler Farm and Country Market then taught folks "Grafting and Pruning Fruit Trees." He showed implements he uses, and had several photos that explained which branches to keep and which to cut off.
Sam Erwin, the owner of Indiana Berry and Plant Co., is an expert on raising and harvesting small fruits, and he drove in from Plymouth to speak about "Lesser-Known Backyard Edibles."
The audience had lots of questions about everything from strawberries to goji berries, and Erwin answered everything with humor and expertise. He handed out asparagus starts and rhubarb starts to everyone who came to hear him.
The last speaker of the day was Master Gardener Damaris Zehner who gave a thought-provoking presentation about sane and sustainable living --"Gardeners and Self-Sufficiency: Past, Present and Future."
Between presentations, Master Gardeners gave away scores of door prizes. Vendors donated items to be given away, and several of the local Greencastle businesses donated items as well. People won books, garden tools, cell phone accessories, artwork and lots of other things. At the end of the day, the grand prize -- a garden cart donated by B & J Cattle Co. -- was given away.
At the outset, for the first 200 folks to attend, received goodie bags filled with seed packets, pens, maps, brochures and all kinds of literature about gardening and about the local community. The bags themselves were prizes -- insulated bags and cloth grocery bags.
First National Bank supported the event, too. For the fourth year in a row, it sponsored a baby tree give-away. There were 200 tree seedlings from the DNR that were given away -- 11 different varieties, from native dogwood trees to paw-paws.
About 40 vendors were invited to attend the event. They sold plants and seeds, garden art, rustic furniture and signs, pottery and books. There was honey for sale, and syrups, jams and jellies, soaps and lotions, gardening equipment, gift items, cards, photographs, even things made from gourds. People could learn about building and maintaining garden ponds, fertilizing lawns, growing herbs and building fairy gardens.
Gardening Fair vendors included: Native Plants Unlimited; Harriman Farms; Aquatic Designs and Supplies; Copper Top Meadows; Sandi Wallace; Heavenly Springs Farm; Crafters Mall; Artfelt Creations; Lisa Doran; Rustications; Clay City Pottery Stoneware; Garden Greetings; Jim Toney; Hoosier Sugar Daddy; Papilio Earth Effects; Bags, Embroidery and More; Olde Homestead Shoppe; Heritage Lake Storage and Garden Supply; My Hunny's Honey. Also included were Cataract Photo; Close to Home Crafts; Monta's; Indiana Gourd Society.; Theresa's Fun Flowers and Jerry's Organic Supply.
Two of Putnam County's FFA chapters spent the day as well. Cloverdale High School sent representatives who demonstrated plant propagation to youngsters in the crowd. Helen Eaglin, a member of South Putnam's FFA chapter, demonstrated her school's aeroponics system.
Lieber State Recreation Area park rangers were on hand as well, bringing tree cookie necklaces for the children. Once yungsters learned about the importance of trees, they decorated cookies, learned about Smokey Bear, and had Smokey's paw print painted on their faces.
For the adults, there was information on Cagles Mill Lake, hunting maps and campground maps, as well as the new 2016 Recreation Guides. A lot of folks asked about the reintroduction of the bald eagle in Indiana.
The Putnam County Library brought books, and Barbara Timm spent the day sharing information about the library's books and other resources for gardeners.
Master Gardener and professional artist Karen Staub taught people how to create a framed piece of art made from pressed flowers and leaves.
Putnam County Master Gardeners invite everyone to join their group. They meet the first Tuesday of the month. Anyone interested in attending can call the Purdue Extension Office 653-8411 to learn more.