By Mark Badertscher
Did the pandemic have you all couped up and wanting to get out and enjoy the outdoors? Several people across the state took up new hobbies during this time and gardening was one of these new interests.

Due to restrictions placed on the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers by the University, the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County spent most of the spring and summer of 2020 unkept. By the end of July, Master Gardener Volunteers were allowed to work in the local educational demonstration gardens under an exemption. By then, weeds had taken over and some plants did not survive. The volunteers did what they could to weed and begin to restore this Hardin County treasure.

Fast forward to the spring of 2021 and the eventual lifting of restrictions. Several Master Gardener Volunteers sprang into action, developing a plan,  securing donations, and spending countless hours bringing the Friendship Gardens back to life. Along with this renewed sense of purpose came new ideas for additional gardens and repurposing of existing gardens to fit the resources of the Master Gardener Volunteers.

Currently, the site consists of several areas dedicated to certain plants or purposes. Some of the current gardens include a rain garden, children’s garden, raised beds, vertical garden, trugs, herb garden, shade garden, ABC garden, butterfly garden, artists garden, and others. There is a mulch demo, roses, daylilies, bean teepee, sundial, a monarch butterfly waystation along with many other types of plants and areas too numerous to mention.

The Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers invite you to attend their Friendship Gardens Open House being held Thursday, July 22 from 6:00-7:30 pm. Come and explore this local educational demonstration garden and learn about what the volunteers have worked so hard to create. The address of the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County is 960 W Kohler Street, Kenton. There will be Master Gardener Volunteers stationed around the gardens to answer your questions. There will be a scavenger hunt for the kids, and refreshments for all to enjoy. We hope that you are able to attend this free event and find out what is growing in this special place.