Spring has officially sprung, and ‘tis the season for all things home and garden in the Bluegrass. We’ve compiled a list of upcoming workshops, home and garden tours, plant sales and other events designed to help gear your head and hands toward beautifying your dwelling, inside and out.
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GARDEN SHOWS, PLANT SALES, TOURS AND MORE
Athens Schoolhouse Antique Show. April 10-12. This monthly event showcases thousands of square feet of antiques and collectibles. The region’s most discerning dealers will display everything from furniture to vintage handbags and accessories. 6270 Walnut Hill Pike. (859) 255-7309.
Central Kentucky Home, Garden and Flower Show. April 10-12. In its 40th annual installment, this show features state-of-the-art home and garden products at show-special prices. 2 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Lexington Center, 430 W. Vine St. www.ckyhomeshow.com/index.html.
The Kentucky Christmas Tree Association’s Plant Auction. April 11. A variety of annuals, perennials, balled and burlapped landscape trees and shrubs will be for sale. A portion of the proceeds will be used to provide one or more scholarships for students majoring in forestry or related sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fayette County Extension Office front parking lot, 1140 Red Mile Place. (859) 223-1140
Life + Style Show. April 22-23, June 19-20. Jon Carloftis and the plant brand Proven Winners have partnered to host these events, each held at an iconic Kentucky location, where visitors will enjoy food, drink and gardens in an inspiring lifestyle presentation. The events will begin at historic Botherum, Carloftis’ home, with the April event continuing at Keeneland, and the June event continuing at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort. Space is limited. For times and details or to register, visit www.gardenlifestyleshow.com.
Ashland Peony Sale. May 3. The sale will feature several varieties of peonies from Kelly Nursery, potted and ready to plant. The event is also a good opportunity to explore and learn about Ashland’s Peony and Formal Gardens, as many of the other flowers will be in bloom. Proceeds will benefit Ashland, The Henry Clay Estate. 120 Sycamore Rd. (859) 266-8581.
Wild Ones Plant Exchange. May 7. This fundraiser for the Lexington chapter of Wild Ones will offer seeds, perennials, grasses and sedges, shrubs, trees or vines that are native to the eastern United States (cultivars of a native plant are acceptable). 7 p.m., St. Michael’s Church parking lot, 2025 Bellefonte Dr. For more information and criteria regarding the exchange, visit www.lexington.wildones.org/todo.
Arboretum Spring Plant Sale. May 9. Plants and garden items will be exchanged at this spring event. Plants to be traded must be delivered at 9 a.m., and the exchange will begin at 10 a.m. 9-11 a.m. The Arboretum Visitor Center, 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-6955. www2.ca.uky.edu/arboretum/calendar_events.php
Down to Earth Garden Club Plant Sale. May 9. The annual plant sale fundraiser for Down to Earth Garden Club features plants from the members' own gardens, as well as a base of volunteers knowledgeable about the characteristics and landscape potential of the plants. This rain-or-shine event features plants for shade or sun, natives, herbs, vegetables, perennials, wildflowers, grasses, hostas, and irises. Money raised will be donated to local projects that promote gardening, education, preservation, conservation and environmental stewardship. Woodland Christian Church, 530 E. High St. www.downtoearthky.com/PlantSale.html.
Spring Garden Tour and Plant Sale. May 30. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This spring’s tour will feature eight diverse gardens in the town and countryside of Versailles and Woodford County. Garden plants will also be for sale and a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Coats and Shoes for Woodford County Children. Little House at 247 Lexington Ave., Versailles, Ky. (859) 879-6782. www.woodfordcountrywomensclub.org
Kitchen Tours of the Bluegrass. May 30-31. The 15th annual Kitchens Tour of the Bluegrass will visit beautiful and unique kitchens in Lexington homes. The proceeds benefit the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with and without special needs reach their full potential. 10 a.m-5 p.m Sat.; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sun. Child Development Center of the Bluegrass, 290 Alumni Dr. (859) 218-2322.
Lexington Council Garden Club’s “Peek Behind the Garden Gate” Tour. June 6-7. The Lexington Council 2015 Open Gates to Bluegrass Living Garden Tour will showcase 10 diverse gardens from the suburbs to a serene rural setting. Funds raised by the tour will provide community grants and scholarships. Multiple venues. (859) 266-2020. www.lexgardenclubs.org.
Monarch Waystation Garden Tour. July 11. Wild Ones, Native Plants/Natural Landscapes will host a tour showcasing 10 of the certified monarch waystations that have been created in Lexington in response to a campaign headed by Wild Ones and the Kentucky Council of Garden Clubs. The gardens on the tour feature predominantly native plants and aim to provide habitat for a large variety of pollinating insects in addition to Monarch butterflies. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY PLANTING DAYS
Edible Garden Weekly Workdays. Mondays, through Oct. 26. Participants will help plant and cultivate the Arboretum’s edible garden. Each Monday morning session will begin with a short session on different topics and gardening techniques, including inoculating legumes, cold and hearty vegetables, “superfoods,” Asian greens and more. Produce grown will be donated to local food pantries. 9-11 a.m. The Arboretum, 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-6955.
Disease-Resistant Pears. April 2. This workshop will cover most aspects of planting pears in the home garden. Two disease-resistant varieties will be provided: the heirloom Seckel (Sugar Pear) and the Potomac, a newer variety similar to the Bartlett. The class is pre-registration only. 6:30 p.m. Fayette County Extension Service, 1140 Red Mile Place. (859) 257-5582.
Bluegrass Junior Woman’s Club: Pinwheels for Prevention Garden. April 4. In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Bluegrass Junior Women’s Club will be planting a pinwheel garden and invites those in the community to join. 12:30 p.m. Wellington Park, 565 Wellington Way. www.bluegrassjuniors.org/events/pinwheel-garden/
Greener Lawn Care. April 7. Sponsored by Lexington’s Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works, this class demonstrates how to make lawn and garden care more sustainable and better for the environment. The workshop is free, but registration is required by phone. 3-4 p.m. The Arboretum, 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-6955.
Midway Community Garden Planting Day. April 11. Participants will help plant cold weather crops such as lettuces, greens, broccoli and potatoes. All produce is grown for anyone in the community to enjoy for free, with surplus going to the Woodford County Food Pantry. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Midway Presbyterian Church, 107 N. Turner St., Midway, Ky. (859) 846-4751.
Wildflower Weekend. April 11-12. The Kentucky Native Plant Society will celebrate local wildflowers with two full days of family-friendly walks and workshops. 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m Sat.; 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. Natural Bridge State Resort Park. 2135 Natural Bridge Rd., Slade, Ky. (606) 663-2214. www.knps.org.
Festival of Flowers. April 18-19, 25-26. These production greenhouses will be open for tours as Bi-Water invites visitors to see where they grow over four acres of flowers. Seminars will also be held to improve gardening skills. Bi-Water Farm and Greenhouse, 877 Cincinnati Rd., Georgetown, KY. (502) 863-3673.
Growing Great Tomatoes. May 7. This class will discuss techniques for growing great tomatoes and how to avoid common pitfalls, with an emphasis on disease prevention. Everyone will take home a hybrid tomato and an open pollinated heirloom. Pre-registration is required for this class. 6:30 p.m. Fayette County Extension Office, 1140 Red Mile Rd. (859) 257-5582.
Gardening for Pollinators. May 14. Instructor Jesse Dahl will explore how to attract pollinators (food, water and shelter). Participants will take home two pollinator-favorite perennials to plant. This class is limited to 20 people and costs $10, or $8 to Friends of the Arboretum. 10-11 a.m. The Arboretum, 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-6955.
Growing Dahlias. May 14. Participants of this class will learn how to grow beautiful dahlias and will be sent home with an assortment to plant in their gardens at home. Pre-registration is required. 6:30 p.m. Fayette County Extension Office, 1140 Red Mile Rd. (859) 257-5582.
Easy Mushrooms. May 26. The instructor for this class will demonstrate how to grow oyster mushrooms in straw. Participants will receive live spawn to cultivate at home. 6:30 p.m. Fayette County Extension Office, 1140 Red Mile Rd. (859) 257-5582.