Minnetrista Celebrates National Public Gardens Day

National Public Gardens Day is Friday, May 8, and Minnetrista is celebrating throughout the entire weekend. Join us for special tours with "Get Up and Grow" columnists. Kids will enjoy fun activities in the Children's Garden, along with the trains running in our Garden Railroad. All garden tours and outdoor activities at Minnetrista will be free for the weekend.

National Public Gardens Day is a national day of celebration to raise awareness of America's public gardens and their important role in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation, and education in communities nationwide.

National Public Gardens Weekend activity schedule:

Friday, May 8

9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ongoing
Explore our 40-acre campus of thematic garden spaces.
You, Me & the Bee exhibit in the lobby of the Cultural Center.

3 p.m.
Ideas for the Home Garden - Visit the Wishing Well Gardens with Susan Smith for ideas to use in your own garden. In this series of four gardens, you will learn about resources available to home gardeners, planting for year-round interest, and see examples of varieties suitable for this zone.

Saturday, May 9

9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ongoing
Explore our 40-acre campus of thematic garden spaces.
You, Me & the Bee exhibit in the lobby of the Cultural Center.
Visit the Discovery Cabin to learn more about creatures you may find around your garden.

10:30 a.m.
Discovery in a Backyard Garden - Join Cassie Banning for a tour of Oakhurst Gardens, Minnetrista's historic backyard garden, to discover early spring perennials and explore ways to create what you see in your own backyard.

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Children's Activities and Garden Railroad - Come play in the Children's Garden with activities suited for young green thumbs. We will also have our garden railroad going around the track.

3 p.m.
Deceptive Beauty - Invasive plants can have many unintended consequences when they make it out of our gardens and yards. Dustin Stillinger will explore the problems of invasive plants that can cause many problems like decreasing habitat for wildlife or increasing soil erosion. You will also learn what invasive species the Minnetrista staff combat along the riverbank. You may even have some in your own backyard!

Sunday, May 10

11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ongoing
Explore our 40-acre campus of thematic garden spaces.
You, Me & the Bee exhibit in the lobby of the Cultural Center.
Visit the Discovery Cabin to learn more about creatures you may find around your garden.

11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Children's Activities and Garden Railroad - Come play in the Children's Garden with activities suited for young green thumbs. We will also have our garden railroad going around the track.

1 p.m.
Examining the Natural World - Take a stroll in the Nature Area at Minnetrista with Stephanie Dilk and explore nature's nuances and investigate the nature's mysteries. Take a look at the trees and indigenous plants of East Central Indiana; do a little Tree ID; and see what flowers are blooming in May.

3 p.m.
Diversify Your Garden - Walk through the gardens with Rachel Drucks and learn how to incorporate annuals, perennials, bulbs, grasses, shrubs, and trees to create a beautiful garden with year-round interest. Learn the basics of working with a garden theme and how to maintain and care for your plants.

Located along historic White River, Minnetrista includes 40 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, a modern museum facility, an historic home, Nature Area, numerous sculptures, and a portion of the Cardinal Greenway. Minnetrista serves East Central Indiana with dynamic community activities and exhibits that honor and reflect its natural and cultural heritage. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net.


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