Master Gardeners invite public to open house July 12

The Master Gardeners of Sussex County will host their annual Open House and Plant Sale in the demonstration gardens behind the Carvel Center at 16483 County Seat Highway, Route 9, west of Georgetown from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 12. The event is free and open to the public.

This year's event will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cooperative Extension. There will be door prizes, a special gardening in miniature display, a history of the Demonstration Garden in pictures and UDairy Creamery Ice Cream available for purchase in 10 flavors. Mini-workshops include 10 a.m. - Making Garden Signs, 11 a.m. -  Making Stepping Stones, noon - How to Garden Working with Nature and 1 p.m. -  What is Eating My Garden?

Activities for children include “The Misadventures of Peter Rabbit in Farmer McGregor’s Garden” puppet show at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., as well as an Insect Safari with bugs, bees, butterflies and other interesting creatures at 11:30 a.m.

Master Gardeners will be available to answer questions and provide information about the various sections of the garden that exhibit trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and vegetables that do well in Delaware. Bring a camera!

The public is invited to stroll through the paths that link special areas - a children’s garden, a sensory garden, an annual/perennial border, a native plant garden, a shade garden and more - or to sit on one of the benches and watch the insects and wildlife interact with the setting.

Master Gardeners are members of the community who have received extensive training in order to extend the home garden outreach of Delaware Cooperative Extension. Information also is available online at http://extension.udel.edu/lawngarden.

It is the policy of Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin.