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Garden news

 
Published Dec. 4, 2014

Garden news

Organic, heirloom and non-GMO seeds: Through a cooperative arrangement with Friendship Farms and Fare and with Ecology Florida, the Market Off Main, at 6214 Lincoln St. in New Port Richey, has begun to offer organic, heirloom and non-GMO seeds exclusively from the Seed Savers Exchange.

For information, call (727) 849-4940.

Seminars

Backyard fruit: Learn to fill your yard with fruit at a Pasco County Extension Service seminar at 9 a.m. Saturday at Clayton Hall, 36702 State Road 52, Dade City. Free. For information, call (727) 847-2411.

Holiday fun

Celebrate the season at the gardens: The Nature Coast Botanical Gardens will host its annual Holiday in the Gardens from Saturday until early January at 1489 Parker Ave., Spring Hill. Visit and vote for your favorite decorated Christmas trees. Handmade holiday wreaths will be on display, too, but only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6. The Spring Hill Garden Club will host its annual Poinsettia Planting from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 at the Spring Hill waterfall at U.S. 19 and Spring Hill Drive. Residents are invited to bring poinsettias and watch while members plant them. For information on both events, call (352) 683-9933 or visit nature coastgardens.com.

Plants and markets

Tasty Tuesday: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays in the courtyard at New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St. Local organic growers sell seasonal produce and plant-based goods. The library also offers a seed exchange so gardeners can check out heirloom, genetically pure seeds from the library's seed catalog to start an organic garden. (727) 853-1265.

Fresh Market at Wiregrass: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month at the Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. Features produce, Florida-grown plants and locally made jams, salsas, seasonings and sauces, plus the works of local artists. (813) 994-2242; tampabaymarkets.com.

Nature Coast Farmers Market: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of the month at Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road. Call (727) 861-3040.

Hernando County Farmers Market: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays in the Rural King parking lot at 2450 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. (352) 232-4241; hernandocountyfarmersmarket.webs.com.

Spring Hill Garden Club's Plant Nursery: The nursery hosts plant sales from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Mondays at 1489 Parker Ave., off Spring Hill Drive (four-tenths of a mile from U.S. 19). Browse or buy plants and visit the adjacent Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, open daily from sunup to sundown. The club also seeks volunteers. (352) 683-9933; naturecoastgardens.com.

Garden tours

Guided tours of the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave. in Spring Hill, are available for groups of five or more from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The grounds include 23 themed gardens, including the Rose Garden, Asian Garden, Memorial Garden and Butterfly Garden. Tours last approximately one hour and are free, though donations are appreciated. Reservations are required. Call (352) 683-9933.

The gardens are maintained by the Spring Hill Garden Club, a nonprofit organization. The club's plant nursery, adjacent to the gardens, is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon on Mondays and Saturdays. Plants are available at reasonable prices. For information, call (352) 683-9933 or visit naturecoast gardens.com.