Poplar Grove's Herb & Garden Fair

Poplar Grove Plantation's Herb & Garden Fair is taking place this weekend in Ogden, off Highway 17N. The fair is packed with so much to do that, garden enthusiasts will be able to see more than they want without being able to see it all.

There will be classes about teaching visitors about herbs, animals and nature. There will also be a plant and garden sale going on all weekend. No admission fee is required to browse and buy the variety of art, herbal products, vegetable plants, trees, shrubs, local wine, local crafts, cheese and, of course, plants.

Visitors to the plantation can pick and choose which classes they want to participate in with relative ease. All classes are only five dollars, and they're all easy to find because they all meet at the Cultural Arts Center Barn a few minutes early, before moving to their respective areas.

Here is a list of classes that will be available at the Herb and Garden Fair:

• Bird Hike With Andy Wood

Saturday - 9 a.m.

Local Naturalist Andy Wood will lead a bird hike through the The Abbey Nature Preserve. Andy is not only the Education Director of Audobon NC; he's also the author of Backyard Carolina. Participants are reminded to dress and prepare appropriately for this adventure.

• A Nature Walk with Charlotte Glen

Saturday 11 a.m.

Glen, the Pender County Cooperative Extension Horticultural agent, will be teaching the methods of plant identification. She will enlighten hikers on how to differentiate the many species of eastern North Carolina wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.  Just like the bird hike, don't forget to prepare for 90 minutes of more of walking.

• Cooking with Herbs Susan Boyles

Saturday 1 p.m.

If you are tired of working with the same old ingredients, this might be the class for you. The class teaches not only new recipes, but methods of making tastier dishes without making them unhealthy. The co-owner of The Seasoned Gourmet in Landfall will be providing tasty samples of lemon herbed chicken, herbed pasta and a spring garden salad in an herb vinaigrette.

• Growing Flowers and Herbs with Margaret Shelton

Saturday 2 p.m.

Shelton brings her expertise at the Shelton Herb Farm for a one-day demonstration at the Herb and Garden Fair. She will teach how to plan and manage a garden throughout the year. She will also demonstrate how to make beautiful arrangements out of herbs, annuals, perennials and other plants.

• Eating Local food with Trace Ramsey

3 p.m.

Ramsey, the Produce Manager, at Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market is going to be teaching a well-rounded class on how to keep your diet local. The class will also explain the benefits of eating healthier food and fresher food. Energy reduction and local economies will also a subject of the class.                             

• Exotic Edibles From The Garden with Susan Boyles

Sunday - 1 p.m.

Sunday begins as Boyles returns to kick off the final day of the fair. This workshop will demonstrate how to grow micro plants, edible flowers, and other unconventional foods that can be grown at home. The course is complete with samples and recipes.

• Birds with Dr. James Parnell

Sunday - 2 p.m.

If you would like to enjoy a hike without any actual hiking, The UNC-Wilmington Biology professor emeritus will be providing a slide show about the birds of Southeastern North Carolina.

• Culinary Herbs & Edible Flowers with Margaret Shelton

Sunday - 3 p.m.

Shelton wraps up the weekend of classes with one focused new ways to spice up meals. The herbal recipes include directions for enhancing salads, meals, desserts and drinks the herbal way.

After the classes are done, the plant and garden sale will continue, with all proceeds going towards keeping the non-profit plantation up and running.