
What we’re about
## Licking County and Central Ohio Garden Enthusiasts: Growing Community Through Local Gardening
NEW GROUP!
We're just getting started and looking for our first members to help this community grow from the ground up!
We're a relaxed community of gardening enthusiasts in Licking County and Central Ohio who share a passion for native plants, pollinators, sustainable practices, and Ohio's natural beauty.
*What to expect:*
• Regular posts about local gardening events, classes, plant sales, workshops, and nature programs, free monthly online virtual webinars
• Opportunities to connect with fellow gardeners in our rural community
• A platform to share gardening tips, plant suggestions, and local resources
• Occasional informal meetups at community gardens, arboretums, and nature centers
*A personal note from the organizer:*
As a recent transplant to the area, I'm starting this group to put down roots in more ways than one! Gardening has brought me joy, better health, connection with nature, and a sense of purpose - benefits I hope to share with neighbors who feel the same way.
*This group is perfect for anyone interested in:*
• Learning about Ohio native plants and supporting pollinators
• Discovering local gardening resources and events you might otherwise miss (and occasional events in other parts of Ohio including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Wooster, Athens, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Dayton and beyond)
• Connecting with neighbors who share your gardening interests (vegetables, trees, native plants, pollinators, flowers, herbs, food preservation, integrated pest management, invasive plant management, organic and conventional, garden art and crafts, took care and safety)
• Building a more resilient, nature-friendly community in our rural area
Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, join us to stay informed about local gardening happenings and connect with like-minded enthusiasts in Licking County and beyond!
No membership fees or participation requirements - simply join, stay informed, and participate when you can.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 2025 Fredericktown Tomato ShowDowntown Fredericktown, Fredericktown, OH
The Fredericktown Tomato Show is an annual event that takes place in Fredericktown, Ohio the first Wednesday through Saturday after Labor Day.
Fredericktown, Ohio is located north of Mount Vernon in northwestern Knox County, just 10 miles east of Interstate 71 on State Route 95. Click here to see the full map.
Click here for schedule of events
https://tomatoshow.com/Arts, Crafts, Antiques and Collectibles
Baby Crawling Contest
Baked Goods
Bathtub Races
Big Wheel Races
Canned Goods
Cornhole Toss, – Face Painting – Jungle Island Zoo – COSI,
5K Race, Flowers / Horticulture / Artistic Design,
Kids’ and Critters’ Parade,
Little Miss Tomato Pageant,
Pedal Tractor Pull – Kids,
Tomato Classes & Products - 2025 Licking County River Round Up - Pataskala SitePataskala: South Fork Foundation Park North Shelter House, Pataskala, OH
Licking County River Round Up is a volunteer-driven, county-wide, annual clean up event in the Licking River Watershed, Licking County, Ohio.
lickingswcd.com
The annual River Round Up event, hosted by the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District (LCSWCD), offers volunteers the opportunity to muddy their boots and clean the Licking River.
Saturday, Sept. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., volunteers will be treading the water and walking along the river bank to remove trash, scrap metal, tires and even shopping carts.
In 2023, the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District reported its 240 volunteers collected 25,320 pounds of trash, 120 tires and 1,160 pounds of scrap metal.
In 2024, they took 12,000 pounds trash to landfill, 124 tires, and 1,420 pounds of scrap metal.
This year, there will be a dozen work sites available for volunteer sign-up and the event is close to filling up. The locations range in difficulty: from wading through rough waters to taking on family-friendly land pickups. Additionally, there are other on-land tasks for those who want to offer their support while staying dry.
Registration for 2025 will open now until Sept 3, click here.Look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday September 6, 2025!
Volunteer River Clean Up Locations
• Dawes Arboretum: Dutch Fork
7032 Licking Trails Road SE, Newark, OH 43056
Difficulty: Medium, ages 10+
Method: Walk
Time: 3 hours or less
Closed toe shoes required
1 of 40 slots filled• Village of Hebron
119 W. Cumberland St., Hebron, OH 43025
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Method: Walk
Time: 3 hours
Closed toe shoes required
3 of 100 slots filled• Pataskala: South Fork
Foundation Park North Shelter House, 10255 McIntosh Rd., Pataskala, OH 43062
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Walk
Time: 2.5 hours
Closed toe shoes required
1 of 20 slots filled• Newark: North Fork at Everett Park
170 Everett Park, Newark, OH 43055
Difficulty: Easy, ideal for young children
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 3 hours or less
Closed toe shoes required, waterproof shoes and long pants suggested
12 of 50 slots filled• Newark: Riverview Preserve (On Land)
375 Ohio St., Newark, OH 43055
Difficulty: Medium, ages 10+ (stinging nettle, loose cobble)
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 2 hours
Closed toe shoes required, long pants recommended
7 of 10 slots filled• Newark: Riverview Preserve (Canoe)
Carpooling: Riverview Preserve, 375 Ohio St., Newark, OH
Difficulty: Hard, ages 16+
Method: Canoe
Time: 4.5 hours
Closed toe shoes required
2 of 36 slots filled• Heath: South Fork - 8a
Heath High School, 300 Licking View Dr., Heath, OH 43056
Difficulty: Medium/Hard, ages 15+
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 2.5 hours
Closed toe shoes required
2 of 20 slots filled• Granville: Wildwood Park - 8a
Wildwood Park, 785 West Broadway, Granville, OH 43023
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 2.5 hours or less
Closed toe shoes required
3 of 20 slots filled• Hanover: Rocky Fork
Steve Cost’s Home, 355 Darla Dr., Newark, OH 43055
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 4 hours
Closed toe shoes required• Buckeye Lake
10780 Hebron Rd., Buckeye Lake, OH 43008
Difficulty: Hard, ages 16+
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 5 hours
Closed toe shoes required, waterproof shoes and long pants suggested
1 of 20 slots filled• Newark: Ohio Street
Little Texas, Ohio St., Newark, OH 43055
Difficulty: Medium
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 3 hours
Closed toe shoes required• Johnstown
Whites, 551 W. Coshocton St., Johnstown, OH 43031
Difficulty: Medium
Method: Walk and wade
Time: 2–3 hours
Closed toe shoes required