Ohio State Extension-Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteer Program

06/23/2026

Steve McGinnis, ODNR, Division of Forestry was one of the speakers at the 250th Birthday of the United States of America Celebration at the Friendship Garden in Kenton!
He spoke about the differences of the White oak trees and the Red oak tree varieties.
The red oak tree acorn production is a 2 year process - they need to have cold and winter over. They have tannins in them that make them less desirable to some wildlife. The White oak acorns are ready in 6 months. Squirrels really like the White acorns.
He showed the difference in the leaves of the red and white oak trees so you know what you have and explained the importance on being active in your woods if you have one.
Thank you Steve for a wonderful presentation!

06/23/2026

At Our 250th Celebration, we were lead in the singing of "The National Anthem" by Marty McKinley Gary! We then all participated in the reading of the poem, ("Trees" by Joyce Kilmer) by Christine Heilman, Hardin County MGV.
Carol McKinley and Jill Simmons, Hardin County MGV's presented a program on the importance of Oak Trees and Native Plants in our yards and landscapes. They explained how oaks are the host to over 1100 species of bugs and insects. Oak trees support birds, mice, squirrels chipmunks, deer, and possum.

06/23/2026

The Hardin County Master Gardeners held a Celebration of America's 250th Birthday!! They dedicated a plaque to one of the two oak trees that were planted early Spring at the Friendship Garden.
There were opening remarks from Nic Baumer, Hardin County ANR Educator and from Carol McKinley, Hardin County MGV about the Oak Tree Program and about the importance of oak trees in our communities.

06/20/2026

Reminder:
An Evening Garden Affair will be held Tuesday, June 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Friendship Gardens, 960 W. Kohler St. in Kenton.

Join us to learn about the importance of native plants from guest speaker Chad Carrell of The Native Pathways Nursery and Hancock Park District.

6:00-6:45 p.m. - registration, Friendship Gardens tour, refreshments at the Friendship Gardens

6:45-7:00 p.m. - transition to Simon Kenton School

7:00-8:00 p.m. - formal program at Simon Kenton School

Please note that overflow parking will be at the Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District parking lot located at 950 W. Kohler St. Simon Kenton School building has a fan but no air conditioning, so please dress accordingly.

For more information about the Master Gardener Volunteer program and our events, visit go.osu.edu/hardinanrprograms

06/16/2026

Come on out to the Oak Tree dedication and Celebration of our Nation's 250th Birthday!
It is at the Friendship Garden in Kenton. The garden is located at 960 W. Kohler Street, Kenton, Ohio.
We will have a program starting at 6:00 pm tonight including song, poetry recital, tree dedication, a presentation by our State Forester, Steve McGinnis, presentations by OSU Extension of Hardin County, Nic Baumer, and our Master Gardeners. Light refreshments will be served.

06/10/2026

The Friendship Garden was a stop yesterday for the Defiance Chapter of the VMCCA (Vintage Motor Car Club of America). There are several avid gardeners in the group which has members from Missouri, Maryland, Indiana, and NW Ohio. This was part of the 2026 Farm Boys Tour.
Everyone enjoyed their visit at the Friendship Garden! Thank you to Ann and Bernadette who were there to answer the many, many questions that were asked!

06/10/2026

Seton Kenton has some new raised beds thanks to some hard work from a great bunch of wonderful workers that showed up to assemble and set up these garden beds! Residents, Friends, Church Volunteers, and some Hardin County Master Gardeners put up 7 rectangular raised beds and 3 high rise beds and got them all ready for planting. Thank you all for your time and work on this project! They will definitely be enjoyed by everyone!

06/08/2026

Come out and join us as we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary!!

We will kick off our annual summer workshop series on Tuesday, June 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Friendship Gardens, located at 960 W. Kohler St. in Kenton.

The first topic in the series will focus on oak trees and will feature a celebration of America's 250th birthday. The program will feature a dedication of the oak trees planted in the garden and talks will be given by the Division of Forestry and the Master Gardener Volunteer program.

Refreshments will also be provided.

The other workshops in this series will be held on on July 21 on Native Plants and August 18 on Companion Planting, at 6:00 p.m. at the Friendship Gardens.

Details about the Master Gardener Volunteer program and event details can be found by visiting u.osu.edu/hardinanr

06/08/2026

Join us for this summer's Home Food Preservation webinar series, "Let's Preserve It!"
Tuesdays 12-12:30 p.m.
June 9: Methods of Preserving
June 23: Water Bath Canning Basics
July 7: Pressure Canning Basics
July 21: Freezing Basics
July 28: Drying Basics
Aug. 11: Making and Preserving Juice

Webinars are free, register required go.osu.edu/fpwebinars

05/22/2026

An Evening Garden Affairwill be held Tuesday, June 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Friendship Gardens, 960 W. Kohler St. in Kenton.

Join us to learn about the importance of native plants from guest speaker Chad Carrell of The Native Pathways Nursery and Hancock Park District.

6:00-6:45 p.m. - registration, Friendship Gardens tour, refreshments at the Friendship Gardens

6:45-7:00 p.m. - transition to Simon Kenton School

7:00-8:00 p.m. - formal program at Simon Kenton School

Please note that overflow parking will be at the Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District parking lot located at 950 W. Kohler St. Simon Kenton School building has a fan but no air conditioning, so please dress accordingly.

For more information about the Master Gardener Volunteer program and our events, visit go.osu.edu/hardinanrprograms