Mercer County Programs

Fruit 101

NEW series in 2026! This educational series will focus on the basics of fruit growing, pollination, equipment and material, pruning and care, and pest control. The four classes will cover apples, brambles, grapes, and strawberries. These classes are free and open to the public.

Dates are Wednesdays in March: March 4, March 11, March 18, and March 25. All will begin at 6:00pm.

Location is the Mercer County Ag Center Conference Room, 4978 Mud Pike, Celina. No pre-registration required.

 

Great Garden Giveaway

Last spring, we offered free vegetable seeds to Mercer County residents. Please check back as the weather warms to see if this program is available again in 2026.

Click here to visit the Great Garden Giveaway webpage

 

Lawn and Garden Talk Series

Want to improve your green thumb? Are you curious about beneficial insects or pollinators? Perhaps you are passionate about creating a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our Lawn and Garden Talk Series is the perfect place to grow your knowledge and skills.

Join us on the last Wednesday of each month from April to September at 6:00 PM for a series of free, informative, and engaging talks. Our knowledgeable speakers will cover a wide range of topics, including vegetables, plants, trees, insects, and lawns. You'll gain valuable insights, tips, and tricks to help you achieve the garden of your dreams. Each session is designed to be interactive, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Talks are held in the Conference Room of the Mercer County Ag Center, located at 4978 Mud Pike, Celina, OH 45822. All talks are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

2026 Talks are in the works! Please check back in the spring.

All classes begin at 6:00pm.

 

Garden Cover Crop

Mercer County OSU Extension, in collaboration with the Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District, provided free Fall Cover Crop Seed to vegetable gardeners in the county. Any Mercer County resident can receive up to 3 pounds (approx. 2,000 ft²) of a cover crop seed mix for their vegetable garden. This is a mixture of radish, oat, and cereal rye seed.

Planting a cover crop can reduce soil erosion, suppress weed seeds, maintain soil nutrient levels, and increase earthworm activity for their vegetable gardens. Farmers have been utilizing cover crops for many of these same reasons and plan to continue planting cover crop seeds for numerous soil health benefits. It is recommended to plant the cover crop seed as soon as vegetable gardens are cleaned up and put to rest for the season. Seeding should occur before mid-October for best results. Residents should know their garden size in square feet before coming to the Mercer County Extension Office to pick up seed. We have run out in the past, so feel free to call ahead to ensure we still have some seed.

How to terminate cover crop in the spring

 

Resources

Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine provides timely information about Ohio growing conditions, pest, disease, and cultural problems. Articles and supporting photos are created by members of the Extension, Nursery, Landscape, Turf (ENLT) team to benefit those who are managing a commercial nursery, garden center, or landscape business or someone who just wants to keep their yard looking good all summer. 

Fact sheet about soil testing for lawns and gardens