Garden Fair

Garden Fair 

March 21, 2026 
9:00 am - 3:00 pm 
Putnam County Fairgrounds 
Greencastle, IN 

ABOUT THE GARDEN FAIR
The Garden Fair is free because we want as many people as possible to attend. Helping gardeners and community members learn and grow is one of our primary missions. The money raised through booth rentals, donations, and food sales, all fund the Putnam County Master Gardener Association educational events throughout the year.   

THEME FOR 2026 

The theme of the event for 2026 is Trees & Bees. 

SHOP
Browse our local vendors displaying garden related products, services, and crafts. They are passionate about plants and landscapes just like you!

DEVOUR
Savor delicious savory lunch options and tempting homemade desserts at our food vendor.

LEARN
Stop by the Putnam County Master Gardener booth to ask questions about your garden, landscape, or houseplants, and grab a free tree!  Also, visit the Purdue Extension booth to discover how you can become a Master Gardener or learn more about the valuable impact Purdue Extension has on our community. Stop by and check out one of the fantastic speakers listed below.

Garden Fair is open to everyone.  Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. 

Bring Your Garden Tools to Be Sharpened!

Tool Sharpening will be provided by B-Town SHARP. You are welcome to bring your knives, scissors, lawn & garden tools to be sharpened. Lawn and garden tools include items such as chainsaw blades, mower blades, loppers, pruners, shovels, hoes, machetes, hatchets, and axes.

2026 Speaker & Demonstration Line Up!

Native Bees
Presented by Mike Seib, Seib Hoosier Honey
9:30 AM 

Mike and Debbie Seib operate Seib’s Hoosier Honey, managing 150–200 hives across multiple apiaries while actively educating and mentoring new beekeepers. With decades of experience and extensive leadership roles in local, state, regional, and national beekeeping organizations, they promote beekeeping throughout Indiana and offer products ranging from bees and equipment to honey and pollination services.
Mike Seib with Seib Honey

 

Ryan Lough

Tree Pruning 
Presented by Ryan Lough, Arborist/Horticulturist with Saveatree 
10:30 AM 

Ryan Lough provides expert, personalized tree and shrub care across central Indiana, using his horticulture training to help homeowners make informed decisions about their landscapes. A lifelong volunteer, he is dedicated to education, clear communication, and sharing his love of the outdoors to support healthier environments.

 

Soil importance
Presented by Pete Stuart, Cultuvate HC
11:30 AM 

Pete Stuart founded Cultuvate with the mission of promoting sustainability by empowering people to grow their own organic food and reconnect with where their food comes from. Cultuvate provides affordable, recycled-material products that help individuals and communities—especially those in food deserts—build home food systems and make sustainable choices right in their own spaces.

 

 

Pete Stuart

 

Matt Chandler

TRee Grafting Demonstration
Presented by Matt Chandler, Chandler's Orchard
1:00 PM 

Matt Chandler, a third‑generation orchard farmer, operates Chandler’s Orchard & Country Market in Putnam County alongside his family, continuing the work started when his parents converted their grain farm into an orchard in 1975. Today, the orchard produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and reflects the family’s deep knowledge of apple production and gratitude for the hard work, community support, and faith that have shaped their multigenerational farm.

 

Mason House Building - Make & Take Home!*
Presented by Putnam County Master Gardener Association Members 
2:00 PM 
The Putnam County Master Gardeners are trained Purdue Extension volunteers who share research‑based horticulture knowledge through community education and service. As part of Indiana’s long‑standing Master Gardener Program, they are currently highlighting the importance of native bees and offering a hands‑on opportunity for families to build and take home their own Mason bee house.

 

*First-come, first-served basis with limited quantities available.  

 

Purdue Extension Master Gardener watermark

Free Trees Available!

The Putnam County Master Gardener Association is excited to continue their traditional of handing out free trees at Garden Fair.  This is possible thanks to the generous financial contribution of First National Bank, Neier, Inc., and Buzzi Unicem. 

Below you will find information about the free trees that will be available. 

The black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is a medium-sized tree recognized for its glossy green leaves, nearly horizontal branches, and bark resembling alligator hide. It produces dark-blue fruits in late September that attract birds and displays striking red to maroon foliage in the fall. Although it prefers moist, well‑drained soils, it can also grow in dry upland areas and is native to Indiana.

 

White pine (Pinus strobus) is a towering conifer native to the eastern United States, known for its height, often reaching 65 to 100 feet. This tree is distinguished by its five-needle clusters made from blue-green needles that can grow 2 to 4 inches long and remain on the tree for two to three years. Its bark starts smooth and dark in young trees, developing into deeply furrowed ridges as it matures. The cones of the white pine are often coated with white sap. Preferring moist, acidic, and well-drained soils, it is the only five-needled pine found in Indiana.

The flowering dogwood (Cornus Florida) is a small Indiana native tree known for its showy white spring blossoms and striking red to maroon fall foliage. It features opposite, simple leaves with veins that curve along the edges toward the tip. Its bark has a rough, light‑ to medium‑gray alligator‑like texture. This is a smaller tree with ranges in height from 15 to 30 feet tall.  It prefers well-drained, moist, slightly acidic soils. 

Gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa) is a small Indiana native tree known for its small, white flower clusters, white fruits, and persisting red fruit pedicels.  It will tolerate poor, wet soils, drought, full sun, and full shade.  It ranges in height from 6 to 15 feet. 

New in 2026! Photography Contest

Calling all Gardening and Photographers! Let’s showcase the Garden and Nature through still photography! More information can be found at the link below.

Photography Contest Rules

Questions?

Please contact Jenna Nees at Purdue Extension for more information about this event.  Jenna can be reached at 765-653-8411 or smith535@purdue.edu. 

 

 

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please contact Jenna at 765-653-8411 or smith535@purdue.edu by March 1st.  If you need an interpreter or translator, please contact Jenna at 765-653-8411 or smith535@purdue.edu by March 1st. 

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