WILBERFORCE — The Central State University Extension office is set to open its “Seed to Bloom” botanical and community garden.

Classes/workshops will begin next week and registration is required.

Garden hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“We have good attendance and encourage people to come,” said Clare Thorn, extension associate. “There are no entrance or program fees. We have a stone amphitheater, community garden beds, a woodland trail (about a quarter mile), and our own parking.”

The four-acre garden features landscape plants trees, interpretive signing, native plants, pollinator-friendly plants, and a 350-year-old Chinkapin oak tree. In the summer, a variety of perennials and annuals are grown such as Black-Eyed Susan’s, day lilies, geraniums, petunias, and tulips. Raised beds are done and in place.

Growing backyard mushrooms (18 and over)

Participants will receive an indoor introduction to outdoor mushroom cultivation from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28 in Emery Hall (ground floor classroom, last building on Brush Row Road before Wilberforce-Clifton Road.)

Spring homeschool adventures

Sessions take place from 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, April 14 (Earth Day celebration), Friday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo), and Friday, June 2 (Heritage Gardening).

Homeschool families with children ages 5-11 are welcome. Each themed session will include an educational and nutrition activity. Families should include water/snacks for their children. An adult must accompany children during the entire program. Restrooms are available and stone paths provide access throughout the garden.

There is limited space and registration is required.

Compost bin building demonstration (18 and over)

This activity takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 15.

Attendees will learn how to help their garden by adding nutrient-rich compost. A three-bin compost bin building demonstration will be done for use in the community beds. Information will be provided on how to use a three-bin compost unit.

Hands-on growing backyard mushrooms workshop (18 and over)

The workshop takes place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13.

Learn how to inoculate small logs with shiitake and oyster mushrooms. All participants will bet the chance to inoculate and take home one to two logs for their own personal use. Held at the Seed to Bloom Botanical and Community Garden.

Registration is required.

Black heritage community garden project

The Seed to Bloom Community beds will reflect heritage crops. Sessions are 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 13 (cool weather crops), and Thursday, May 18 (warm weather crops).

The garden is located at the intersection of St. Rt. 42 East and Wilberforce Switch Road (across from the CSU main entrance); parking lot is on Wilberforce Switch Road.

To make reservations or for more information, contact Thorn at 937-376-6627 or [email protected].