A previous Buncombe County Master Gardeners’ demonstration garden. (Photo courtesy of Buncombe County Agricultural Extension Office)

The Buncombe County Master Gardener Volunteers’ are looking for property that belongs to the city or county and can be contracted to the Buncombe County Agricultural Extension Office for an extended period of time (10+ years) to be used to serve the public of Asheville and Buncombe County as the Master Gardeners’ Demonstration Garden & Learning Center. A long-term lease on privately owned property would be welcomed also.

Ideal requirements include:

• at least ½ acre of open, relatively flat land

• access to water & restrooms

• a central location in Buncombe County

• parking for 12+ cars

• access to a paved street

• space to have mulch and soil amendments delivered and stored

• fencing or some measure of security at the site

• opportunity for garden shed for tool storage

• nearby facility for the Master Gardeners to hold garden educational or organizational meetings

The first 4 requirements are the most essential.

Master Gardener Volunteers help individuals, families, and communities put researched based knowledge to work in their lives. Master Gardener Demonstration Gardeners help create and maintain a garden where community residents can see new horticultural practices at work. Demonstration gardens may include – but are not limited to – vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, rose gardens, weed identification gardens, turf plots and groundcover plots.

Site suggestions and offers should be made to mizmag387@gmail.com.

Mary Ann C. Snedeker is a Buncombe County Extension Master Gardener. For more information about Master Gardeners visit their website.