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Planting the seeds of wisdom

 
Published May 19, 2000|Updated Sept. 27, 2005

(ran PC edition)

The Magnolia Garden Show will offer a range of knowledge on gardening issues.

With drought plaguing the state, gardeners are struggling to keep their plants and flowers alive.

This weekend, people can learn what plants are native to Florida and may survive during these dry times during the inaugural Magnolia Garden Show at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.

At 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Doris Bareiss will present a slide show on xeriscaping in the Enterprise Church on the grounds of the museum, said Donna Swart, curator of the museum.

Visitors are also invited to bring plant samples for Bareiss and other gardeners to identify and to obtain instructions on care and feeding.

The show will also feature booths of flowers, arrangements, plants, garden equipment, yard and garden decorations, and seminars related to gardening.

Carolyn Falls and Catherine Deal, of the Dade City Garden Club, will give a talk on butterfly gardening at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Flowers that the butterflies are attracted to and how to keep them coming back will be part of the discussion.

Flower arranging demonstrations by David Mobley, a floral arranger and teacher at Pasco-Hernando Community College, are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Also, Jeannie Hayes, of the Pasco County Extension Service, will talk about Florida yards and neighborhoods at 2:30 p.m. each day. Several master gardeners from Pasco County will be with Hayes to help answer horticultural questions.

Swart said there will be tables set up on the museum grounds with brochures and displays.

And, organic herbs will be discussed by Maryon Marsh of the Misting Shed at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday.

A discussion on heirloom plants and seeds will be conducted by Joyce Fripps at 3:30 p.m. both days.

In the barn, Paul Rhinesmith will be sharpening garden tools. Craft demonstrations such as tatting and crocheting are scheduled in the Cummer Building.

Swart said there will be activities for children, too, including planting seeds to take home in cups and chalk drawing on the sidewalks of the museum.

_ Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jonessptimes.com.