There are so many great things that are about to happen in Robeson County that I do not know if I can get them all in this one tiny article. From locally grown strawberries to the first-ever Robeson County Garden Show, are you ready for spring? This year is all about promoting local business and commodities, so read on for all the great horticulture and gardening related events.

It is strawberry time. There are eight large strawberry producers located throughout the county that are either already open, or just about to open. Fairmont, Pembroke, Lumberton, and anywhere in between you can find fresh local strawberries for the picking. Check out the directory and map of the strawberry growers at the Extension website: http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/content/Robeson+County+Strawberry+Producers.

If you are going to be in or around Fairmont on April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Floyd Farms is hosting its sixth annual Kids Day. For a $5 donation, one child is entitled to a pint of strawberries, a small ice cream, a balloon animal, and a train ride. Additional tickets will be sold for $2 each, and will include other activities such as a cupcake walk, bouncy castle, inflatable slide, kids games, and prize drawings. Vendors will also be selling food, or you can bring your own lunch and make a family picnic. Owners and operators, Kenny and Anna Floyd, along with their son Kyle and daughter Devan, believe strongly in supporting the Autism Society of Robeson County. The Floyds provide this special day in recognition of the youth in the county who are autistic and their families and caregivers. A percentage of the sales throughout the entire day are donated to the Autism Society of Robeson County.

If you are an early riser, hurry down to Lumberton on April 30 at 7 a.m. to the parking lot of North State Optics at 4336 Fayetteville Road and peruse the plant material at the Robeson County Extension Master Gardener annual Plant Sale. The Junior Master Gardeners will also be selling herbs. The Junior Master Gardeners have a wide variety — lavender, sage, parsley, and any kind of mint just to name a few. All plants are grown here in Robeson County and sold for just $2.

Last, but certainly not least, be sure to head over to the Robeson County Fairgrounds on May 14 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the first ever Robeson County Garden Show. Nursery growers and garden supply centers, landscape designers, contractors, and care companies, local garden clubs, and anything else you may need for your gardening pleasure all conveniently located in one spot. Admission is $2 for adults and kids under 12 get in free.

There will be interactive seminars on container gardening, vegetable gardening, landscape 101, and centipede lawn maintenance. There will be activities for kids and a drawing for a gorgeous Japanese maple tree. Come join us as we learn from local experts and buy from local businesses. Make sure to bring your wallet, because there will be lots of plant material and gardening supplies to buy.

Promoting local is something that serves us all well. Studies have shown that for every dollar spent locally, it returns to the economy threefold. So why not spend the day here and enjoy the wonderful things that Robeson County has to offer?