By Karolyn Gephart
October is an excellent month for fall festivals, and the upcoming Galveston County Master Gardeners’ Fall Festival will delight all who attend. The third annual Fall Festival is set for October 12 from 9 am to 2 pm in the Discovery Garden at Carbide Park in La Marque.
Guests can arrive early at 8:30 am to attend a Festival Overview presentation. They will get information on all the events as well as get a preview of all plants being sold. Many Master Gardener Grown plants will be in limited amounts, and knowledge of what they are will allow guests to purchase them at 9 am.
Plants for sale include plumeria, snaptinis, fall vegetables, a variety of herbs, a beautiful variety of bulbs that are not readily available for buyers in the county outside of this sale, lilies, irises, ferns, succulents, trees, gingers, hibiscus and more in a wide variety of perennials.
After the overview seminar, four more free seminars will be offered. At 9:30, Fall Vegetables will be presented by MG Gene Speller. Attendees will learn what varieties grow in the area and how to grow and harvest the produce successfully. At 10:30 am, MG Donna Merritt will give a presentation on Herbs. She recently organized a team to renovate and replant the Discovery Garden’s Herb Garden. Those who attend will learn about herbs that do well in the county.
Harvesting and Storing Produce will be presented by Extension Agent Ginger Benson. She will advise those attending on how to store food in a way that benefits families safely. At 12:30 pm, MG Loretta Osteen will share her knowledge on plumeria. Osteen is known for her success at growing from seed, propagating from growing plumeria, and successfully maintaining large amounts of varieties of plumeria.
Guided tours of the Discovery Garden will be given at 10 am, 11 am, noon, and 1 pm. Guides will provide plant information as they tour the different areas, including a Pollinator Garden, Orchard, Vegetable Beds, Herb Garden, Serenity Garden, Bulb Garden, Greenhouse, Aquaponics area, and more.
An area will be available for free fun kids’ events during the festival.
A craft booth will have artisan made items for sale.
Gardening Information will be offered at an Ask a Master Gardener booth and will include information about soil testing. Master Gardeners and Junior Master Gardeners will be at the event.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health will have a fun activity to ‘ride a blender bike’ and The Bluebonnet Antique Tractor Club will have tractors on site for everyone to see and enjoy.
Galveston County Master Gardeners will have food available during the event.
The Discovery Garden is located at Carbide Park at 4102 B Main Street (FM 519) in La Marque.
Attendance is free. The Fall Festival offers fun and information for all ages.
