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Pasco and Hernando gardening events and markets

 
Published March 25, 2014

Seminars

Bonsai Tree Demonstrations: Learn to repot and trim bonsai trees at a free demo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Eve's Garden Gifts, 5602 Land O'Lakes Blvd., Land O'Lakes. For more information, call (813) 996-5012 or visit evesgardengifts.com online.

Plant Propagation Class: A free class called "Plant Propagation Made Easy" will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the UF/IFAS Hernando County Extension Office, 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville. UF/IFAS extension horticulture agent Bill Lester and master gardener Rita Grant will teach attendees how to start plants from cuttings, seeds and division. Registration is not required, but seating is limited. For more information, call (352) 754-4433 or visit extension.hernandocounty.us online.

Native Plant Expert: In a meeting of the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, Adrienne Condon will deliver a presentation called "John Bartram (1699-1777): First American Native Plant Expert." The meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 8 at the Land O'Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O'Lakes Blvd. Bartram is known as the best U.S. natural botanist and co-owner of the largest international nursery business. Includes light refreshments. For more information, call (727) 376-7663 or visit pasconativeplants.org online.

Plants and markets

• Hernando County Master Gardeners Plant Sale: The Hernando County Master Gardeners Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Master Gardener Nursery, 19490 Oliver Street, Brooksville. Plants for sale will include trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials and native plants. Plants have been propagated and grown by dedicated master gardeners. For details, call the UF/IFAS Hernando County Extension Office at (352) 754-4433.

• Native Plant Sale: The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host its Native Plant Sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its new, temporary location: Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, Land O'Lakes. The sale will feature nursery-grown native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, vines, grasses and ground covers suitable for Florida. For more information, visit pasconativeplants.org.

• Spring Hill Garden Club's Spring Plant Sale: The Spring Hill Garden Club's annual Spring Plant Sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 4-5 at the club's plant nursery, 1489 Parker Avenue. A variety of plants that grow well locally will be for sale, and qualified personnel can assist in selecting the right plants for the right locations. For more information, call (352) 683-9933 or visit naturecoastgardens.com online.

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

• Fresh Friday Night Market, 5 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of the month at Railroad Square in downtown New Port Richey (on Nebraska Avenue between Grand Boulevard and Adams Street). The market features vendors selling produce, plants and specialty foods such as fish, meat, cheeses, baked goods, jellies and jams, honey, nuts, coffee, ethnic foods and light refreshments, as well as arts and crafts. (727) 842-8066; nprmainstreet.com.

• Fresh Market at Wiregrass, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first and third Saturday of each month at the Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. This market features produce, Florida-grown plants and locally made jams, salsas, seasonings and sauces, plus works by local artists. (813) 994-2242; tampabaymarkets.com.

• Suncoast Co-op hosts a farmers market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 4131 Madison St., New Port Richey. It features local in-season produce, candles and locally made products. The co-op also accepts orders for fresh, locally grown, chemical-free produce. Register at suncoastco-op.com; orders may be picked up during the market between noon and 2 p.m. (727) 271-2754.

• Hernando County Farmers Market is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at 2450 U.S. Highway 19, Spring Hill. (352) 232-4241; hernandocountyfarmersmarket.webs.com.

• Spring Hill Garden Club's Plant 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 local plants and visit the nearby Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, called the "best kept secret in Hernando County," which is open daily from sunup to sundown. (352) 683-9933; naturecoastgardens.com.

Garden tours

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