Event to run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota
The 17th Annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale and EdFest, which will be held on Oct. 14, is “a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get great plants and advice for your landscape” and to learn about the array of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Sarasota County services, Sarasota County staff has announced.
The event, which will be co-hosted by Extension staff and Master Gardener Volunteers, will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Twin Lakes Park, which stands at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota, a news release adds.
During the event, visitors will be able to “choose from among hundreds of shrubs, trees, palms, annuals, herbs and other plant varieties identified as ‘Florida-friendly’ by the University of Florida,” and get gardening and landscaping advice from Extension-trained Master Gardener Volunteers, the release explains. The EdFest also will “showcase public programs and services offered through Extension,” such as the provision of agricultural and nutritional advice, along with information related to natural resources and youth development.
“The Plant Sale has been a tradition for Master Gardener Volunteers for more than 16 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 in the release.
“Admission is free, with plant purchases available by cash or check,” the release points out. “Proceeds from sales benefit Sarasota County Master Gardener Volunteer program efforts to support school gardens and community projects.”
The release further explains, “The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer program is led by the University of Florida and operated through county-level UF/IFAS Extension offices. It operates the popular Plant Clinic help desks.
For more information, call 311 (outside Sarasota County, the number is 941-861-5000), email sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu or visit sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/plantsale.