Lake County’s 7th Annual Landscape & Garden Fair, a free, botanical-themed festival, will be held Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 at the Lake County Extension Center’s Discovery Gardens, located at 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares. The fair will run from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday.
Sponsored by Lake County, The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in Lake County and the Lake County Master Gardeners, the festival attracts thousands of guests to hear expert speakers present on a variety of topics, including butterflies, native plants and Japanese gardening. The family-friendly event will provide residents and visitors an opportunity to meet with and purchase goods from local merchants that specialize in landscaping, gardening, irrigation, horticulture, fertilizer and more.
Some notable programs this year include “Colorful Landscaping with Annuals and Perennials,” taught by America in Bloom board member and President Emeritus of the American Horticultural Society, Katy Moss Warner. “Spring Vegetable Gardening,” led by Lake County Master Gardener Jack Pounders and “Favorite Botanical Garden Perennials,” hosted by Harry P. Leu Gardens Executive Director, Robert Bowden.
Additional family-friendly activities include the Children’s Passport, with stops at multiple gardens, the Maze Scavenger Hunt and special butterfly release. Visitors also have an opportunity to browse and purchase goods from vendors selling landscaping materials, native plants, fruit trees and more.
Discovery Gardens is nestled on over four acres behind the Lake County Extension Center and features 24 themed gardens, including a string of lush courtyards and five specially designed children’s gardens.
For a complete schedule of speakers and classes, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov/gardenfair or call 352-343-4101.
