It's open house for plants and information at Leon County Extension

“You should reach out to the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office.”

“I bet the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office could help you with that question!”

“Ooooh, great question! Have you reached out to the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office?”

I had heard statements like these so many times before I ever took the step to interact with the UF/IFAS Extension Office. I can certainly get in my own way when it comes to details and things I don’t know about.

Questions like where the office was located, if I could simply stop in, or if my questions were going to be so elementary that I would feel silly for having asked held me back.

For your reference: 615 Paul Russell Road, near the fairgrounds; Yes, they are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., although a quick call ahead ensures they're available and not out on an event or field visit; And absolutely not! They're happy to help!

The first thing I did with the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office was take an online class on Florida-Friendly Landscaping. I was drawn to it because it was online, inexpensive, and covered a topic I was interested in – so it seemed like a safe entry point to learn more about them. I enjoyed the class, and they even mentioned that we could drop by and ask questions in person.

Maybe you’re like I was, and you’ve heard of the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office but have never visited. On May 11, (the Saturday before Mother’s Day), the UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office will be hosting their Annual Open House and Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon. This would be a great introduction!

You can come and walk through the grounds, visit the tables of our community partners, and shop at the plant sale.

Throughout the morning, you can walk through the grounds. From the orchard to the VegHeadz garden, the pond to the walkways lined with native flowers, there’s a lot to see in the Demonstration Garden! There will be a couple guided tours offered at different points in the morning so you can learn from the agents about what is growing. You’re welcome to tour the grounds on your own anytime.

As you walk around, you will see community partners with tables ready to share what they are doing to help make our community a more beautiful and sustainable place to live. Local plant societies and gardening groups will be present, along with forestry and conservation groups.

The Apalachee Beekeepers Association will also attend, bringing honey to sell. Additionally, head inside to participate in the 4-H Silent Auction and Bouquet Sale (just in time for Mother’s Day – hint hint!). All proceeds will help fund 4-H camps and programs, so be sure to check them out.

And the plant sale! Y’all, Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) have been working all year propagating thousands of plants! I am so impressed by how much care and attention goes into getting these plants ready to join you in your home – roselle, milkweed, lilies, gingers, and so many more!

Gates open for the plant sale at 9 a.m. – come early to shop! There’s a plant holding area where you can leave your plants to be babysat by an MGV while you participate in the 4-H Silent Auction and walk around the grounds.

All proceeds from the plant sale fund the horticulture programs, including low-cost/free workshops (like the Florida Friendly Landscaping one I attended!), school garden support, and the extensive Demonstration Garden.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Elizabeth Joy Hooker is a Master Gardener Volunteer with UF/IFAS Leon County Extension, an Equal Opportunity Institution. For gardening questions, email AskAMasterGardener@ifas.ufl.edu.

If you go

What: Annual Open House and Plant Sale

When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 11

Where: UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office, 615 Paul Russell Road

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon County Extension holds open house and plant sale