Garden Discovery Festival at McCrory Gardens in Brookings, SD

May 18, 2025

1:00 to 5:00 p.m. CDT

McCrory Gardens (631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007)

SDSU Extension and McCrory Gardens are kicking off the summer programming with Garden Discovery Festival on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. CDT at McCrory Gardens (631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007). The afternoon will feature plant sales, educational booths with hands-on activities, guided garden tours and expert-led presentations.

The festival is part of National Public Gardens Week, celebrated in public gardens around the country. It will be a fun-filled way for all generations to learn and interact with gardening and the natural world. This is a free, family-friendly event open to all that will be held rain or shine. Details on all activities and educational exhibitors are below. Garden Discovery Festival is supported by the Mary F. Buckmiller McCrory Gardens Endowment.

Plant Sales

The SDSU Native Plant Initiative will be selling a variety of native plants, specifically to help promote insects, pollinators, birds, and wildlife. The mission of the Native Plant Initiative is, “To support the use of native plants in private and public lands in the Northern Great Plains through research, education, and outreach”.

The Brookings Area Master Gardeners will be selling a wide range of plants from annuals and perennials to trees and shrubs. All the members of the SDSU Extension Master Gardener program are volunteers who are dedicated to helping people grow and teach all things plants. Proceeds from the plant sale help fund scholarships for horticulture students at SDSU.

Presentations

• 1:30-3:00 p.m. – Garden Design Workshop (Annuals and Native Plants), presented by Robin Buterbaugh, SDSU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist and Kristine Lang, Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist
  • Do you have a love of gardening and beautiful plants, but aren’t sure how best to arrange them to create visually appealing spaces? Join us for a hands-on workshop to create vibrant designs that are visually appealing with plants that thrive in our local conditions.  Kristine Lang will lead the annuals portion of the workshop, and Robin Buterbaugh will lead the native plants portion of the workshop.  Whether you’re a beginning garden or have lots of experience, this workshop will provide inspiration and practical tips to enhance your outdoor space.

Tour

• 3:30-5:00 p.m. – McCrory History Tour, led by Lisa Marotz and Sydney Trio, Education Coordinator & SDSU Extension Horticulture Assistant
  • This year marks a special milestone- 60th anniversary of the Gardens! We are thrilled to celebrate with you by providing a guided tour. The tour will include many stories of how the Gardens got started, visit historic plantings, key landmarks, and reflect on the impact McCrory Gardens has had on education, discovery, research, and enjoyment throughout the years.

Website: Garden Discovery Festival @ McCrory Gardens