Wells County Master Gardeners

23/10/2026

Fall clean up and more continues in the 4-H Park Community Gardens!!

The second load of wood chips were delivered by bed 1 and will be used along that north run of the bld for w**d control.

Two 4-legged supervisors 🐶🐾who loved the sun and watched our every move!

We planted just one side of bed with iris donations from Mayor Scott’s Iris project- thinking out loud that the other side might become direct sow annual/pollinators- cosmos, zinnias, merigolds🐝🌻🌸🌼🐝

The few cannas in bed 16 were dug and will dry and store for next year’s May plant sale . (The cannas at the entrances are available for a anyonee to dig and store- maybe phone a younger friend to help you dig😉)

As requested by Mayor Scott’s secetary, I will give a named inventory and location of planted iris varieties.

We are working on a plan for a city leaf dump to use for compost and ammend the soil- stay tuned!! 🍁🍂🍃🍁🍂

Another garden request-go for a walk with your sprinkling can and give the iris tubers a fall watering - no rain in the forcast !!

What progress these gardens have made- already dreaming and planning of spring planting🪏🪴🫜👩🏻‍🌾

18/10/2026

🍂🍁🍃🍁🍂Might you or someone you know bag your fall leaves? The garden beds at the Wells County 4-H Park Community Gardens would love to have a winter blanket of leaves, natures compost. Just place or dump your bags in the end of the beds or inside the designated compost bed.

If you or small group are interested in a bit of healthy dirt therapy, please reach out.

A gardener’s work is never done👩🏻‍🌾💚

11/10/2026

Check out this fabulous fall clean up and more progress on the 4-H Park Community Gardens. Make your way for a drive by visit entering the 4-H Park from the Spring Street entrance. The gardens are across the drive from the historical cabin.

With the help of a few good volunteers, the gardens now have a compost bed! We are so grateful the community is learning about our hidden gem and pitching in with fall clean up.

Fall clean up day 2. So much progress! Added compost to garden beds. Placed tarp and mulch along the building for w**d control.

Might you or someone bag your fall leaves? These beds would love to have a winter blanket of leaves. Just place or dump your bags in the end of the beds.

If you or small group are interested in a bit of healthy dirt therapy, please reach out.

A gardener’s work is never done👩🏻‍🌾💚

17/09/2026

IMPORTANT MEETING MESSAGE

Hello Gardeners and Friends!

Because of Bluffton/Wells County’s excessive rain and flooding TONIGHT’S, THURSDAY 17 Master Gardener meeting is CANCELLED!

We will work to reschedule because we have planned a wonderful meeting agenda!

Please check on your friends and neighbors in need.

Be smart and safe!!

05/09/2026

FYI…
Next Thursday, Sept 10 is the Lunch and Learn program, noon at the State Park Lodge. Come and learn about invasive insects from Bill Horan, County Extension Director, Wells County Purdue Extension.

Bring a packed lunch. A dessert is provided.

RSVP (260) 824-0926 or email at [email protected]

More about invasive insects at

Official website for Indiana DNR

28/08/2026

After this weeks rains gave way to sun, a group of gardeners enjoyed a lovely evening walking the flower beds of Stems and Petals by Sarah Jo. Sarah and her Husband have built 40 raised beds in nearly 4 years. She shared several of her favorite flowers to grow as well as some of the more difficult veriteies. August was a wonderful and busy month for her business; she made and sold 82 bouquets costing $25 and up.

We enjoyed seeing familiar Dalias and zinnias and the unique gumphrina and sweet Annie too.

It was a lovely evening in the gardens with flowers and friends!

04/08/2026

Did you know that experienced gardeners don't just save heirloom tomato seeds—they select them?

The best seed doesn't usually come from the very first tomato you harvest. It comes from healthy, productive plants that stayed vigorous all season, resisted disease, and consistently produced the flavor, size, and quality you want to grow again. Every time you save seed from your best plants, you're quietly selecting for those same traits in next year's garden.

The fermentation step surprises a lot of first-time seed savers, but it's one of the reasons tomato seeds store so well. That gelatinous coating around each seed contains compounds that naturally inhibit germination. Fermentation helps remove that coating, making the seeds easier to clean and helping reduce some seed-borne diseases at the same time.

Many heirloom tomato seeds remain viable for four to six years and many even longer when they're dried thoroughly and stored in a cool, dark, dry place. But ask almost any longtime gardener, and they'll tell you the same thing—they rarely last that long because they're already planting them again the following season.

There's something especially satisfying about growing heirloom tomatoes from seeds that came from your own best harvest. After a few seasons, your garden starts telling its own story... one tomato at a time.

03/08/2026

Meet ALICE!! The Agava Death Bloom. Check out this very unique agava with the live cam and past pics too!

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30/07/2026

Miss Wells County, Audrey Breunig visits
4-H Park Community Garden

Miss Wells County visited the 16 bed 4-H Park Community Garden located in the 4-H Park along the Spring Street entrance. Master Gardener President Sandy Shelly, Lisa Mann, Sally Day, and Joan Schauss welcomed Audrey and shared how the garden grew from a few beds last year to 16 beds, 3 water totes, and a garden shed.

Miss Wells County helped with the harvesting of bunching onions, zuccinni cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. She enjoyed seeing the variety of each gardener’s vegetables including the bed of the French heirloom Prescott Fond Blanc mellons!

Master Gardeners and Friends and volunteers helped build, plant, and maintain the garden beds. The harvest will be shared at several local food pantry locations. A future project for the gardens is a compost system.

Contributers to the garden are Wells County Foundation, Purdue Extension, and Wells County Master Gardeners and Friends.

26/07/2026

Don’t let your garden’s bounty go to waste!

If your garden is producing more than you can eat, we’ve got the perfect class for you!

The Parlor City Community Garden, in partnership with the Purdue Extension – Wells County Office, still has open spots available for our “From Garden to Freezer: Preserving Your Harvest” workshop.

Join us to learn:
-Safe freezing and food preservation practices

-How to blanch and package vegetables for the best quality

-Freezer storage tips to keep your harvest tasting fresh for months

📅 Wednesday, September 9
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Wells County Community Center
1240 4-H Park Road, Bluffton

The workshop is FREE, but registration is required and space is limited. To reserve your spot, call the Purdue Extension Office at 260-824-6412.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or harvesting your very first tomatoes, you’ll leave with practical skills to help you enjoy the fruits (and vegetables!) of your hard work all year long. We hope to see you there!