The North Madison Congregational Church (NMCC) is set to host its annual Goodness Grows GardenFest on Saturday, May 21. According to church members, the GardenFest is NMCC’S way of living into their purpose statement, which encourages them to “care for all creation.”

Kate Summerlin, who is a NMCC member and spokesperson for the event, said the Church is excited to be able to offer in-person events again, and encouraged residents to get into the “green.”.

“As an activist church with a commitment to protecting and caring for our living world, the free GardenFest highlights our role in the community as an environmental advocate,” Summerlin said. “Through the sale of native and member-grown perennials, along with a series of workshops we hope to raise both awareness and funds to continue to educate our larger community about the ways each of us can keep our little corner of the planet clean and green.”

According to Summerlin, there will be a number of workshops for interested residents on a wide variety of gardening and greening topics.

“This year’s annual Goodness Grows GardenFest will further our educational mission by providing free hands-on workshops by gardening experts. Our goal is to promote gardening best practices for the home gardener,” said Summerlin.

The highlight of GardenFest will be the second annual plant sale featuring hanging baskets, annuals, and perennial plants cultivated locally by members of the congregation. NMCC will also host a garden tool tag sale that will include gently used garden tools, decorative pots, and garden paraphernalia.

The church’s focus on environmental education will include the workshops on identification and eradication of invasive species, how to divide perennials, pollinator pathways, favorite native and other plants, and tree planting.

The event will also feature a Q & A table for all garden questions, a soil testing station, garden-themed vendors, freshly made lemonade and homemade cookies, and a free bird house painting workshop for kids.

The GardenFest will be held at the North Madison Congregational Church at the roundabout on routes 79 and 80 on Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call the NMCC at 203-421-3241 or visit www.northmadisoncc.org.