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Master Gardeners Offer Free Tool Sharpening & Herbal Treats

Tool Sharpening and Herbal Treats featured at the Halifax Farmers Market

            The Second Saturday with the Southside Master Gardener Association will feature tool sharpening from 8 to 11 AM at the Halifax Farmers Market on September 8.  The SSMGA cookbooks will be available.  The Southside Virginia Herb Society will have a display from 11 to 1:30 of tasty herbal treats to try. 

            Garden tools are an extension of the home gardener’s hand.  Good tools are an investment, one that needs to be protected especially when money is tight.  Fortunately, this is not difficult to do.  Bring your small hand tools to the Halifax Farmers Market on September 8 nd the Master Gardeners will cheerfully clean and sharpen your tools.

            We all know that sharp tools, especially pruners, are easier to use, but did you know sharp tools are better for the plant?  Dull pruner blades can tear bark or mash a stem leaving a wound that is open and susceptible to the entry of diseases or insects.  The plant has defenses to heal from a sharp clean cut made at the proper place.

            There will be an Iron Chef competition at the market from noon to 1:30 to kick off Restaurant Week.  To support this event, the Southside Virginia Herb Society will have a tasting of herbal treats from 11 to the end of the competition.  Herbs add such a flavorful dimension to food.  Plus herbs are beautiful additions to the flowerbed and many such as lavender, rosemary and sage are perennial.  The Herb Society will have some plants, herbal cookies and herbal booklets for sale.  

            Bring your small hand tools to the Halifax Farmers Market on September 8 from 8 to 11 AM and the Master Gardeners will clean and sharpen them at no charge.  As always, Master Gardeners will be there to answer your gardening questions.  Bring your taste buds to the Southside Virginia Herb Society display between 11 and 1:30 to taste some wonderful herbal dishes.  Please visit the regular vendors with veggies, fruits, organic meats, herbs and eggs. Inside vendors have an assortment of handmade items, collectables and even portrait photography. Watch what the chefs are cooking up in the Iron Chef Competition.   If you want to know more about the Master Gardeners and their programs, contact Bill McCaleb at the Halifax Extension Office 434-476-2147, option 0 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Bring your garden tools to the Halifax Farmers Market on September 8 the Master Gardeners will cheerfully clean and sharpen them free of charge.