Allen County Master Gardeners

06/04/2026

Please join us at the Purdue Extension - Allen County this Saturday! Enjoy FREE garden walk activities and ask your garden questions to our on-site Extension Master Gardeners volunteers!

04/18/2026

It's almost time for the annual Allen County Master Gardeners Plant Sales! 🌿🪴

🗓️ Master Gardener Plant Sale - May 16 from 10 am - 1 pm

The Allen County Master Gardener Association hosts an annual Plant Sale every Spring/Summer in late May and early June. This is a great opportunity to obtain unique perennials as well as some annual plants or vegetables. Shrubs and trees are also a common feature of the plant sale.

Master Gardeners are also on hand during the sale to help buyers make the right decision for their garden or landscape.

🗓️ Garden Walk and Plant Sale - June 6 - 10 am - 1 pm

On June 6, the Master Gardeners host a Garden Walk and Plant Sale. This Saturday event invites the whole family out to see the Display Gardens. Tour at your leisure or be guided by a Master Gardener volunteer. Education stations with information, crafts, and speakers are sprinkled throughout the grounds. This event also features a small selection of plants for sale.

📍 Both plant sales are held at the Allen County Extension Office - 4001 Crescent Ave, Fort Wayne, IN, 46815.

04/18/2026

Join us this Sunday for an Allen County Master Gardeners discussion on how indoor plants react in the summer due to the change in lighting as well as changes in potting soils available in stores. 🪴☀️🌿

The Master Gardeners will also be discussing African Violets and plant care during the summer, including terrarium care.

This class is FREE to attend and will be held at the Allen County Extension office on April 19, from 1:30-3:30 pm.

01/11/2026

Hope to see you there!!

Winter may still have us bundled up, but we know many of you are already dreaming of spring beds, blooming borders, and warmer days in the garden 🌱❄️

Join the Whitley County Master Gardeners for our 10th Annual Symposium—a full day of learning and inspiration for seasoned gardeners and those just getting started. Enjoy three engaging speakers, choose from four breakout sessions, and explore local vendor booths featuring the latest gardening products and live demonstrations.

Whether you’re planning, learning, or just looking to reconnect with fellow plant lovers, this is the perfect way to kick off the gardening season.

Register online or download our mail-in form: www.mastergardenerswc.com/events/symposium

🌼 Register now and start growing your ideas—spring will be here before you know it!

07/21/2025

Heads up, Hoosiers! Poison hemlock is back, and it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

This toxic invader looks deceptively like Queen Anne’s lace, but don’t be fooled! Unlike its harmless doppelgänger, every part of this plant can kill. No redeeming qualities.

Big thanks to LC Nature Park for the tips on spotting and safely eradicating this nightmare w**d.

Stay sharp, stay safe, and keep the gloves on! 🌿✂️💀

07/09/2025

We're excited to share that we'll be participating once again in Visit Fort Wayne's "Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown" event!

Last year was a blast, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you back to explore our beautiful Display Gardens. Carefully planned and lovingly maintained by the Allen County Master Gardeners, these gardens showcase a wide variety of plants that thrive right here in our local climate and soil. You might pick up some gardening tips—and even a little inspiration for your own yard!

Be sure to include us in your adventure on Sunday, September 7th, from Noon to 5 PM.

Passports will be available for download or pickup at select locations around Fort Wayne starting mid-August! visitfortwayne.com/BeATourist

05/17/2025

TODAY is the Day!!! Less than 90 minutes away! PLEASE join us at the Purdue Extension - Allen County for our 2025 Master Gardener Plant Sale from 10am-1pm! Our parking lot will be open, but visitors can also park in Parking Garage 1 next door. Your purchases will directly support our volunteer gardeners' work in our public display gardens. Thank you and we hope to see you soon!! ***Reminder: Cash Only

05/08/2025

04/30/2025

Only 4 hours left!! There is still time to donate and support Purdue Extension in Allen County! Continue to donate on Purdue Day of Giving until 11:59pm!
Give directly to our extension office at https://bit.ly/4lCbSGA and all of the funds you donate will stay here to improve the education we provide.
Bonus tip: You can divide your donation into multiple gifts of at least $10. The more gifts our office receives, the more bonus funds we can earn. Just select "add another unit", then select "College of Ag", and then "Allen County" as the fund.

04/02/2025

We couldn't agree more! Native trees are such a fantastic choice for both their beauty and their environmental benefits. Planting serviceberry or Eastern redbud not only enhances your yard but also helps support pollinators and other wildlife. Thanks for spreading the word about sustainable landscaping! 🌱

Trees are budding everywhere, but that isn't necessarily a good thing in some cases, especially when talking about Callery pears.

The Bradford (Callery) Pear (Pyrus calleryana) tree may seem appealing at first, but they are a major ecological nuisance and should never be planted. Why? We’ll explain.

🚫 Highly invasive: Callery pears quickly escape cultivation, out-competing native plants and dramatically reducing biodiversity.

🚫 Weak structure: Their brittle wood makes them prone to breakage, causing safety risks and property damage.

🚫 Messy fruit: The trees produce small, hard fruits that litter yards and attract birds, which spread the seeds further and worsen their invasive spread.

🚫 Disease-prone: They are susceptible to fire blight and other pests, leading to long-term health issues and maintenance headaches.

These trees' negative environmental and maintenance impacts far outweigh their short-term appeal. Instead, consider replacing them with native alternatives like serviceberry, Eastern redbud, or flowering dogwood. These native species support local ecosystems and add timeless beauty to your landscape. For advice on the best native trees in your area, visit a local nursery or consult an expert – your yard and the environment will thank you! 🌳

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