Garden Fair
April 12, 2025
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Switchyard Park Pavilion
1601 S Rogers Street, Bloomington, IN
We look forward to seeing you April 12, 2025 for our biggest event of the year at the Switchyard Park Pavilion in Bloomington, Indiana.
ABOUT THE GARDEN FAIR
The Garden Fair is free because we want as many people as possible to attend. Helping gardeners and communities learn and grow is one of our primary missions. The money raised through booth rentals, donations, and food sales at the Garden Thyme Cafe, all fund the MCMGA Grant Program which returns money to community groups on an application basis.
SHOP
Browse over 35 local vendors and not-for profits displaying garden related products, services, and crafts. They are passionate about gardening just like you!
MUNCH
Enjoy savory lunch items and tasty home-baked desserts at our Garden Thyme Café.
CREATE
Dig into your inner gardener at the Garden Activity Booth where we feature a creative activity you can complete on your own or with the family.
LEARN
Visit the House Plant Doctor booth and soak up the secrets of happy, healthy houseplants. Stop by the Gardening Everywhere booth to learn about becoming a Master Gardener yourself or the impact Purdue Extension has on our everyday lives.
Photo in masthead provided by North Carolina State University Extension Gardener. Flowers, Kerry Woods, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Meet Common Ninebark
Every year we give away a native tree or shrub seedling to the folks who arrive earliest to the fair. (The line start forming around 8:30!)
This year the shrub seedling is Physocarpus opulifolious or Common Ninebark. Read all about this strong, tolerant shrub and find out if it will work in your garden!
Photo above provided by North Carolina State Unitersity Extension Gardener. Close up of flower, Dan Mullen, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
What to expect.
-
![Indoor plants for sale]()
Find bargain prices for indoor plants from starts by Master Gardeners
-
![plant themed glass work]()
Feel free to wander!
-
![Home made pies]()
Delicious home-made pies and other treats
-
![Yellow daffodils on table]()
Inviting cafe seating area
-
![Cafe menu]()
Stop and have lunch at the Garden Thyme Cafe
-
![food for sale hygienically displayed at the Garden Thyme cafe]()
A wide selection of tasty items to choose from at the Garden Thyme Cafe
-
![plant themed art work for sale by a vendodr]()
Plant themed artwork
-
![Tree seedlings being given out to patrons]()
Button Bush seedlings will given to the first 400 guests!
-
![IU Hilltop Garden Center booth]()
IU Hilltop Garden and Nature Center is a treasure in our town
-
![perennial plants for sale]()
Perennial plants for sale
-
![Wild Birds Unlimited booth with vendor and patron]()
All about birds? Oh yeah!
-
![]()
Learn about and purchase a composting system
-
![Switchyard Park limestone sign]()
It's all at Switchyard Park Pavilion on April 13
-
![vendors selling hand-made soaps]()
Handmade plant-based soaps
-
![volunteers help guest at the garden activity booth]()
Master Gardener volunteers pitching in at the family Garden Activity Book
-
![Mom and children participate at Garden Activity booth with volunteer]()
Families busy making bird-feeder pinecones at the Garden Activity Booth
-
![Goldleaf vendor talks with patron]()
Patrons learn about hydroponics from a vendor
-
![bird sculptures made from gourds]()
Beautiful hand-painted birds built from gourds!
-
![two female master gardeners stand among plants]()
Meet Master Gardeners who share your passion for plants!
-
![City of Bloomington stormwater initiative display with poster and volunteer]()
Learn about environmental initiatives in the community
-
![ceramic sun and moon plaques]()
Something for everyone!
How to Get to Switchyard Park
