Participants enjoy lovely weather for ‘Saturday in the Garden’ at Short Pump Park pollinator garden

By Linda McBride

We had a lovely day for our Saturday in the Garden on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Henrico Master Gardeners’ pollinator demonstration garden at Short Pump Park. I was so happy to see that some of our Master Gardeners who were not signed up to volunteer also decided to come out. Though we didn’t have quite as many visitors as last year, (63 this year as compared to 93 last year), we still had some lively discussions and great educational encounters.

We had a nice display of pollinator-themed educational books and handouts, two butterfly and caterpillar craft activities for the kids, some live caterpillars on display (poop and all), and some great snacks, including homemade cookies.

People enjoyed walking through the garden and talking to our Master Gardeners who were working there among the plants. We potted up quite a few plants for next June’s plant sale!  A large grasshopper in the garden and a fuzzy moth caterpillar on the passion flower were big hits with the kids, as well as the caterpillar-shaped play tunnel on the grass.  Many of the adults took one of the free Native Plants for the Capital Region guides, and one gentleman said he will be replacing his Leyland Cypress with natives!  Yay! 

A Hanover Master Gardener attended our event just to pick our brains about our garden as they have gotten the green light to create a demonstration garden of their own. We all had a great time talking to her, and she promised to keep in touch.

Scroll through the gallery below to view photos of 2022 Saturday in the Garden: