Master Gardener Plant Sale and Extension EdFest set for Oct. 5 at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota

Gardening and landscaping advice to be offered by Master Gardener Volunteers

Photo from the UF/IFAS Extension webpages via scgov.net

On Saturday, Oct. 5, Sarasota County’s annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and Extension EdFest will be held at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (UF/IFAS) Extension Sarasota County (UF/IFAS) staff has announced.

The event is “a one-of-a-kind opportunity” to buy plants, hear advice about landscaping, and learn about the array of UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County services, a news release notes.

The 18th offering of this family-friendly event, co-hosted by Extension staff and Master Gardener Volunteers, will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Extension office at Twin Lakes Park, which stands at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota, the release adds.

During the event, visitors may choose from among hundreds of shrubs, trees, palms, annuals, herbs and other plant varieties identified as “Florida-friendly” by the University of Florida, as well as hear gardening and landscaping advice from Extension-trained Master Gardener Volunteers, the release continues.

Further, “Extension EdFest booths will highlight the array of programs and services offered through Extension, including those related to agriculture, health and youth development, the release points out.

“The Plant Sale has been a tradition for Master Gardener Volunteers for 17 years,” said Ashley Ellis, residential horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, in the release. “These devoted gardeners have worked all year to carefully tend plants to make this event possible,” she added.

“Admission is free, with plant purchases available on site,” the release says. Proceeds from the sales support Sarasota County Master Gardener Volunteer program efforts, “helping fund demonstration gardens, school garden projects and other community initiatives that make Sarasota County greener and more sustainable,” the release points out.

“The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program is led by the University of Florida and operated through county-level UF/IFAS Extension offices,” the release explains. “In Sarasota County,” the release continues, “the program supports demonstration landscapes and educational outreach projects,” and it operates the popular Plant Clinic help desks.

For more information, call 311 (outside Sarasota County, 941-861-5000), email sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu or visit sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/plantsale.