Garden Expo with Seed Share 2026
 

We have been prepping all year for our 4th annual Garden Expo with Seed Share. 

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The Garden Expo with Seed Share project was developed to educate and encourage sound gardening practices in the community for the home, and small-scale gardener. The Expo was inspired by the National Seed Swap Day held the last Saturday of January to encourage gardeners to exchange seeds, share stories, and connect with their communities. Founded in 2006 by Kathy  Jentz of Washington Gardener Magazine, the day has grown to include organized events across the country.

 

Free seeds donated from many donors are available; bringing seeds to the event is encouraged but not required. (All seeds brought to the expo must be dried, dated and labeled).

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Several mini educational presentations will be conducted by the Louisa Extension Master Gardeners: Planning the Home Garden, Companion Planting in the Garden, and Container Gardens. In addition, community organizations will be present providing information regarding their associations.   Raffle basket tickets are available for purchase, and door prizes will be awarded to a lucky few attendees. Come join us for an educational, fun event and start planning your spring garden!

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2026 Theme - Creating your Sustainable Home Garden

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Time: 9:30am until 12:30pm 
(inclement weather date: February 7, 2026)

Location: Louisa County Middle School
1009 Davis Highway, Mineral, VA

Activities: 

• Free seeds for your personal garden

• Educational information, presentations and publications​

• Free gardening demonstrations

• Garden basket raffles & door prizes

• Opportunity to share saved seeds from your garden (These are welcome, but not required). Seeds must be dried, labeled with plant name & year and packaged properly. Click here for more details. 

• Many Master Gardeners available to discuss your garden questions 

• VA Tech Soil Testing kits

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Presentations

• Companion Planting in the Vegetable Garden by Kimberly Randall

• Planning Your Garden by Jane Bono

• Container Gardening by Liz Cusell

• Orchid Care by Michael Gelber

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Community Tables

• Blue Ridge PRISM, Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management

• Elisabeth Aiken Nolting Foundation Board of Directors

• Louisa 4H Community Group

• The Bracketts Farm Charitable Garden

•  And More!

 

Scholarship for Master Gardener Training​

The past success of this project has enabled us to provide the Garden Expo with Seed Share Scholarship again this year! The scholarship covers all fees associated with becoming a Louisa Extension Master Gardener for the class starting February 26, 2026.

 

For more information, please see the Scholarship Flyer. Please send an email to LEMGSSCOM@gmail.com to receive an application and for any questions you may have.

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Gratitude for our Donors​

This project is made possible by the many generous donations of seeds, envelopes, labels, raffle basket items and many, many hours of time given by numerous volunteers. Please go to our Donors Page to see the list of the donors helping us make the Garden Expo and Seed Share event possible. 

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No admission fees or registration required.  Any questions, please contact us at lemgsscom@gmail.com

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