TROPICAL RANCH BOTANICAL GARDENS WILL HOLD A FREE "EDIBLE GARDENING" SEMINAR AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY, NOV. 21 ST. ADMISSION IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON BOTH DAYS, NOVEMBER 21-22 FROM 9AM - 3PM, FOR THE PLANT SALE AND SELF-GUIDED TOURS OF THE GARDENS.

Written by Sharon Speargas

At their November opening, Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens will feature Paula Smith, a noted vegetable gardening expert, who will conduct a free seminar at 10 AM on Saturday, November 21st, offering practical advice on how to grow your own vegetables here on the Treasure Coast. Paula is a 24-year Master Gardener and author of an educational series on Tropical Vegetables for the Martin County Cooperative Extension. She has also written "The Edible Garden" column for the Stuart News and many articles for Florida Gardening magazine. At the end of the seminar, she will be available to answer your vegetable gardening questions.

As always, the public is invited to stroll through the lushly landscaped, three acre Botanical Gardens at no charge. There are eleven theme gardens: the International, Oriental, Bamboo, Butterfly Garden, the Mexican Patio area, the Wine & Cheese Gazebo, the Wedding Gazebo and Moonlight Garden, the Waterfall and Aquatic Garden, an Herb and Spice Garden, a Palm Tree Garden, and the Champion Tree Garden containing a Champion South Ridge Holly, and a Bo Tree, among others.

In 2005, Diane Rexroad and Jim Haines established these unique and diverse gardens that surround their home. These gardens offer homeowners a good example of what can be accomplished on their own property. Their websites contain many photographs of these eleven fabulous theme gardens.

Tropical Ranch Botanical Gardens will be open Saturday and Sunday, November 21st and 22nd, 9 AM - 3 PM. There will be hundreds of rare and unusual 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 either of our websites: www.trbg.us or www.tropicalranchbotanicalgardens.com