BOTANICAL GARDENS TO FEATURE "FARMER FRED BURKEY'S RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP" ON MAY 17. AS ALWAYS, THERE WILL BE A PLANT SALE.

On May 17-18, Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens will be open to the public, and host Multi-County Agricultural Extension Agent, Fred Burkey. His seminar at 10AM on Saturday, May 17, will teach gardeners how to recycle their rain water for the benefit of their garden and the environment. In addition, it will be possible to place an order for a rain barrel ($35) or Farmer Fred will tell you how to make a rain barrel yourself.

Diane Rexroad and Jim Haines, the owners and designers of TRBG will show local gardeners what can be accomplished in Martin County within the ten theme gardens: the International, Oriental/Bamboo, Butterfly Garden, the Mexican Patio area, the Wine & Cheese Gazebo, the Wedding Gazebo and Moonlight Garden, an Herb and Spice Garden, a Palm Tree Garden, the Champion Tree Garden, and the latest addition, the Waterfall and Aquatic Garden. The website contains many photographs that highlight these areas ( www.tropicalranchbotanicalgardens.com).

TRBG was voted Channel 25's "Favorite Botanical Garden" within the four county area last year, and it has been featured in Florida Gardening Magazine, The Palm Beach Post, the Stuart News, and Stuart Magazine as well as other local publications. Since the opening of these unique and diverse gardens to the public in 2005, Diane Rexroad and Jim Haines have never charged an admission fee - their mission has been to encourage everyone who is interested in gardening to see what is possible to grow in the Martin County area. You are invited to visit these splendid gardens that surround their home.

TRBG will have a large collection of rare and unusual plants for sale, samples of which are planted in the garden and homeowners can see these in attractive settings. Do you want to plant your own BUTTERFLY GARDEN or perhaps you are looking for COLORFUL, DROUGHT-TOLERANT PLANTS? All of the plants are for sale at reasonable prices, and gardening experts will be available to answer your gardening questions.As always, the public is invited to stroll through the lushly landscaped, three acre Botanical Gardens.

Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens will be open Saturday and Sunday, May17-18, 9 AM-3 PM. There will be hundreds of rare and hard-to-find plants for sale ranging from large palms to plants appropriate for container gardening. The Gardens are located at 1905 SW Ranch Trail in the Tropical Farms area of Martin County. Please telephone for directions or further information (772-283-5565) or go to our website: www.tropicalranchbotanicalgardens.com.