The Flower & Garden Expo will take place on March 28-29. Admission is $5 per person which is good for both days, and children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking is free. The event takes place at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center (I-95, Exit 318) located at 3125 Agricultural Center Drive. Patrons also receive a pass for free admission to EPIC’s “A Taste of St Augustine” taking place on April 26 plus discounts to local attractions.

Lecture Schedule

Saturday, March 28

• 10am – Sustainable Vegetable Gardening. Presented by UF/IFAS Extension SJC Master Gardener, Barbara Purple.  Learn how to turn a small patch of dirt into a growing machine that produces vegetables for you and your family.
• 11:30am – Stormwater Pond Plantings. Presented by Terra Freeman, US/IFAS Extension, SJC Horticulture Agent. Stormwater ponds play a valuable role in capturing runoff from impervious surfaces to abate flooding.  Learn how you can improve the ecosystem services they provide with appropriate plantings to improve filtration of pollutants while increasing their aesthetic appeal.
• 1pm – Vermiculture. Presented by Lynda Eidson, Gloria Obie & Mary Ann Collins, UF/IFAS Extension SJC Master Gardeners. Earthworms play an important role in Florida landscapes. The ecological benefits include organic matter, decomposition, microbial benefits and nutrients, as well as a principle food soure for birds, reptiles and insects.  Tunneling earthworms breakdown soil compaction; improving soil aeration and promote plant growth and adtricultural productivity.  Join SJC Master Gardeners volunteers for a demonstration on how to build your own work bin.
• 2:30pm – Include Native Plants in Your 20/20 Vision. Presented by Renee Stambaugh, UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volutneer. Discover how Florida native plants give your yard character, reduce maintenance and attract wildlife.  The dependable dozen Florida native plants, appropriate for use in residential landscapes, will be reviewed.

Sunday, March 29

• 11am – Flower Arrangements from Your Garden. Presented by St. Johns County Master Gardener, Dottie Hudson. Learn how to use plants and flowers from your garden to develop floral arrangements for your home.
• 12:30pm – Growing and Culinary Uses of Fresh Herbs. Presented by Dennis Gretton, Owner of D & D Nursery and popular Expo vendor. Learn how to successfully grow and cook with common and unusual herbs in Florida.

All proceeds from the Expo benefit EPIC Behavioral Healthcare which has been providing substance abuse and mental health treatment in St. Johns County since 1973.