Projects and Events
Butler County Master Gardeners spend their volunteer time working on a variety of gardens and gardening education projects. We provide speakers for local groups and plant gardens throughout the county. Gardens usually have a theme - herbs or vegetables or attracting butterflies - and must be educational in nature. Two of our biggest projects (in terms of numbers of Master Gardeners involved) are the Spring Garden Market and the Farm Show exhibit.
The Spring Garden Market, which is held at Alameda Park in Butler, is an enchanting mix of plants, crafts, workshops, tours and food. May 18, 2013 will mark the eleventh anniversary of the event, and the forth year the Master Gardeners will partner with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce for a combined Spring Garden Market and Home Show. It is the perfect event for gardeners to get the season off to a great start.
The Farm Show exhibit, smaller in venue and more educational in nature, is geared to providing information on a selected theme and recruiting new master gardeners. Over the years, visitors to the Butler Farm show have learned about native and shade plants, bulbs, perennials and vegetables. For more information about the Farm Show Exhibit.
In 2008, we added another event to the year's agenda--a fall garden workshop. The seminar features autumn-related gardening topics such as planting bulbs and preparing your garden for winter.
Master Gardener educational gardens can be found throughout the county, including Cranberry Township, Harmony, Mars, and Slippery Rock. There is a vegetable garden at the Butler Township Municipal Building and the grounds surrounding the Penn State Extension Office are graced by Master Gardener plantings.
In addition, the Master Gardeners planted the herb garden at The Succop Conservancy and they maintain that garden on The Conservancy grounds.
Following is a complete listing of gardens planted, maintained and/or supported by the Penn State Master Gardeners:
Butterfly Trail, Moraine State Park
Cranberry Demonstration Garden (Pollinator Garden)
Cranberry Place Garden
Extension Office Landscape
Garden Club at the Orchard
Mars Library Garden
Slippery Rock Garden (Pollinator Garden)
Succop Conservancy Herb Garden
Butler Township Municipal Building
