Sussex Master Gardeners host A Day in the Garden

The Sussex Master Gardeners are just that - master gardeners. In 2014 alone, members recorded over 7,000 volunteer hours which totaled over $140,000 in savings for local universities. On July 18, the master gardeners opened their home to the public for their annual A Day in the Garden, which encouraged locals to stop by their garden in the Sussex County Extension Office near Georgetown.

"The idea of this is to promote gardening. Bottom line, that's what this is for," said Sussex County Master Gardeners President Fran Meehan. People of all ages were welcomed to their garden to stop and smell the roses with an itinerary filled with mini-workshops, such as making a bee house, cooking from the garden and how to compost. Guests were also encouraged to speak with volunteer gardeners regarding advice or suggestions about their own gardens.

With plants and supplies for sale, the organization also looked to produce funding for projects for their garden as well. "It totally goes right back into the garden. We have big project plans, like making the garden handicap accessible," said Meehan.

The garden, which not only contains a variety of plants, but also their common and Latin names, hosts demonstrations to teach the public the best ways to maintain a garden of their own. Visitors can also go on informal walks through the garden or call ahead to schedule tours with a volunteer gardener.