By Anna Skinner
The Boone County Master Gardeners held its 29th annual Gardenfest on April 11 at the Boone County Fairgrounds. The annual yard and garden show features vendors from across Indiana displaying and selling items that ranged from garden decorations made of salvaged plates, bird houses and tiki torches to home grown herbs and plants for sale.
Three professional speakers give presentations each year at Gardenfest. The 2015 event included speakers on the topics of “Herbs of the Wildlands, Woodlands, and the Gardens,” “Why Grow Hybrid Rugosa Roses?” and “Honey Bees and Pollinating Plants.”
“Gardenfest is all about getting people interested in gardening and knowing about different topics,” said Jean Indriksons, Boone County Master Gardeners Chairperson. “People can buy from local vendors and learn things about gardening. We have children’s activities, Master Gardeners present to answer questions, and a free soil testing that checks pH and nitrogen levels.”
Vendor Terry Mcnulty said that her love of gardening comes from the hunt of searching for plates to make into garden art.
“I salvage plates in garage sales and at Goodwill,” Mcnulty said. “It’s about the hunt, and that’s why I like to do it, to find something that’s pretty.”
Mcnulty glues her plates together and places them on a metal stick to be used in gardens or potted plants.
Vendor Jamie Smith said she enjoys Gardenfest as well.
“It’s probably one of the best organized garden shows I attend,” Smith said. “The people who organize it are very friendly and helpful.”
LEARN MORE
For more information about Gardenfest and the Boone County Master Gardeners, visit www.bccn.boone.in.us/mg/.
