Jump into Spring!

20^th Annual HERB & GARDEN FAIr
saturday March 24  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday March 25 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Celebrate Spring!   Go Green!  Support Local!  Rejuvenate! 

 The  PLANT and GARDEN & MORE SALE features a super selection of annuals, herbs, perennials and vegetable plants, along with hanging baskets, shrubs and trees.   You’ll find garden art, outdoor accessories, local cookbooks & foods, herbal products and more.  Arts & crafts including jewelry, pottery, ironwork, fiber art, stained glass, baskets and other media for the home and garden are also offered.

The Pender County Master Gardeners will be at the event both days, staffing the “Ask a Master Gardener” booth.  They are always willing to answer questions, help identify plants or discuss problems you may be having in your garden.

Herb & Garden Activities & Class Schedule

All classes will meet in the downstairs of the Cultural Arts Center "Barn".  
Please plan on arriving a few minutes early.

Don’t miss this awesome line-up of our local experts sharing their expertise on gardening, nature and other topics to jump-start your spring!  Class descriptions and their schedules are listed below.

 Saturday March 24

 9:00 AM – TAKE A HIKE!  Andy Wood

Andy Wood, local naturalist and Education Director of Audubon NC, leads an informative and enjoyable hike through beautiful Abbey Nature Preserve, a North Carolina Birding Trail of the Coastal Plain Region, located adjacent to Poplar Grove.  The author of Backyard Carolina, a collection of essays from two decades of public radio commentary featuring Andy sharing his love of nature with the community, this is a wonderful opportunity to join Andy in our own backyard!  The hike leaves from the Cultural Arts Center ‘barn’ area.  Appropriate dress and shoes are needed, bring binoculars if desired. 

 11:00 AM – TOMATO GROWING 101, Charlotte Glen  

Have you had poor results with your tomato crop in the past or simply want to grow more?  This is the class for you!  Learn all the basics of growing tomatoes in southeastern North Carolina.  Pender County Extension Horticulture Agent Charlotte Glen has studied gardening and horticulture in North Carolina, Scotland and New Zealand, she now currently lives and gardens near Burgaw, with her husband and two children.  Charlotte will cover tomato varieties, soil preparation, growing in containers, insect and disease management, fertilization and how our climate affects tomato production.

 1:00 PM – SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES: GARDENING for PEOPLE, BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES, Sandy Wood

Award-winning garden designer, Sandy Wood, shows how your yard can be an oasis for birds and butterflies, as well as your personal sanctuary for enjoying and connecting with nature.  Sandy’s innovative habitat enhancement designs, refined from 20 years of experience, establish attractive and welcoming landscapes that save energy, conserve water, and eliminate harmful chemical use.  Sandy, a former field representative for the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation,  currently operates Habitats, a consultation and garden design company specializing in accessible and sustainable gardens with a focus on native plants that benefit birds, butterflies and homeowners alike. 

 3:00 PM – THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE FLOWER & HERB GARDEN, Margaret Shelton

Local grower and owner of Shelton Herb Farm, Margaret (Meg) Shelton is the 2011 Environmental Award Recipient of the YWCA Cape Fear Women of Achievement Awards!   At Poplar Grove we know first-hand how much Meg deserves this honor; she has been and continues to be instrumental in her contributions to this event as well as the Farmers’ Market at Poplar Grove.  Meg has been in the forefront of sustainable agriculture and organic, pesticide-free farming practices on her farm in Brunswick County since 1986.  In this presentation she will introduce you to growing edible flowers and culinary herbs which can add unique colorful accents and flavors to your plate.  Uses range from garnishing salads, adding to entrees, desserts and even beverages.  Take home recipes will be provided.

 Sunday March 25

 12:00 Noon – GROWING GREEN THUMBS – A KID’S GARDENING CLASS, Lauren Langley

Be a gardener!  Children, ages 5 -10, will learn about seed germination, soils and how to grow vegetables and flowers.  Youth will participate in hands-on learning and receive take home gardening information.  Offered by Lauren Langley, the 4-H Extension Agent in Pender County where she specializes in youth development and programming, and Master Gardener volunteers.   For more information about 4-H please contact Lauren at lauren_langley@ncsu.edu.  Limited to the first 25 students, you may sign-up for this class ahead of time if you’d like to reserve a space for your child.  Sign up begins on Sunday, 10:00 AM, at the tent in front of the Cultural Arts Center Barn.  

 1:00 PM – COOKING LOCAL, Susan Boyles

Fresh ideas for fresh food!  Join Susan as she shares tips to help you plan menus on the fly based on what you find at the Farmers’ Market or from your own garden.  Learn to make vinaigrettes, béchamel, cheese and pan sauces, and easy homemade pizza dough.  Susan, the former owner of The Seasoned Gourmet, with many years of experience both cooking for and teaching others, is always ready to pick up her knife and tongs and commandeer the kitchen to create tasty meals.  Catch her scheduled classes with the Cape Fear Food & Wine Club hosted by The Seasoned Gourmet or contact her at 910-431-7810 to arrange a private event.  Receive recipes and tips to take home; tastings of some items will be available.

 2:00 PM – FLORAL ARRANGING 101, Doris Davis

Nothing makes a house a ‘home’ like a fresh floral arrangement!  Learn the basics of floral arranging, how to use different materials, from flowers and greenery to herbs and dried materials, which can be put together in easy simple arrangements to compliment any setting.  Doris is a former public educator that operates Sea Holly Floral Designs, specializing in creating unique arrangements for weddings, funerals, churches and private events; as well as offering classes and garden club talks.  Includes hand-outs and information on plants you can grow and use year-round for your own cutting and floral arrangements.

3:00 PM – HOME-GROWN MICRO GREENS, Margaret Shelton

Micro greens are young, tender versions of basil, cabbage, arugula, radishes, beets, clover, mustard, alfalfa and other greens.  Packing a lot of flavor and nutrition they add flavor, crunch and color to salads, soups, sandwiches and other dishes.  Meg, owner of Shelton Herb Farm in Brunswick County, teaches this lesson in growing your own popular micro greens that are harvested just as adult-size leaves are displayed.  Meg will cover proper planting mediums, sunlight conditions and growing in a small area or container.  A lot can be grown in a small space, making them perfect for your home garden!

Admission  $5.00 
(under 15 is free with an accompanying participant).  

Your fee includes admission to any classes/activities (space permitting) and is good for both days.  Participants may enter to win free drawings throughout the event (do not have to be present to win).

Admission fees benefit Poplar Grove, a non-profit foundation.  We appreciate your support which enables Poplar Grove to continue this and other special events, as well as our daily programs and community activities for future generations.  
Thank you!

Food and beverage concessions will be available on site:  

Traditional Greek Food: gyros w/lettuce, tomatoes & onions with tztiki sauce and souvalaki grilled pork on a skewer; Greek pastries.

Other foods:

Hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, fries, funnel cakes and beverages.

The animal lovers at Poplar Grove request that pets be left at home during the Herb and Garden Fair.  This is to protect the pets as well as vendors' merchandise.

Thank you.