Ellis County Master Gardeners’ Lawn & Garden Expo Saturday, March 28

Photo courtesy Ellis County Master Gardeners.

WAXAHACHIE — Flowers are popping up around Ellis County, trees are starting to show signs of life, farmer's markets are getting ready to spring to life, signs of winter appear to be over and home gardeners have their tools in-hand anxious to get plants in the ground.

That means it is time for the Ellis County Master Gardeners' 15th annual Lawn & Garden Expo.

The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at the Waxahachie Civic Center located at 2000 Civic Center Lane in Waxahachie.

Tickets are $5 for adults and children under 12 are free.

In addition to plant sales, door prizes and over 100 exhibitor booths, there will be a children's area where children can learn about honeybees with Susan Pollard, meet Smokey Bear, view insects, plant tomato seedlings and participate in other children's themed exhibits.

A number of guests will share their best gardening tips and expertise in the Crape Myrtle Room.

Beginning at 10 a.m., Monica Nyenhuis will teach how to harvest, clean and store seeds for successful germination in addition to determining what plants are best for seed saving and when to propagate from existing plants.

Steve Smith and James Jeffers, owners of urban farming business Eat the Yard, will offer a presentation at noon about zero footprint gardening.

Dallas Zoo Horticulture Manager Randy Johnson will begin his presentation at 2 p.m. offering insight into the ancient relationship between pollinators and native plants.