About us
## 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
43
Historical Earthworks Lecture and Book Signing with John E. Hancock @ Octagon
Octagon Earthworks, 125 N 33rd Street, Newark, OH, USHosted by Ohio History Connection
Address:
Octagon Earthworks
125 N. 33rd St., Newark, OH 43055
UNESCO World Heritage SiteJoin us on June 18 at the Octagon Earthworks Visitor Center for a special evening celebrating the release of John E. Hancock’s new book, Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks: Landscape Monuments of the Ancient Ohio Valley.
Event Schedule
• Doors open: 6:30 p.m.
• Lecture begins: 7 p.m.John Hancock will share the story behind Ohio’s remarkable Hopewell earthworks and how eight of these architectural masterpieces became UNESCO World Heritage Sites. He will also discuss how this new Smithsonian publication presents the latest knowledge about their astonishing scope, subtle beauty, and the brilliant Indigenous designers and builders who created them nearly 2,000 years ago.
• Book signing: Immediately following the lecture. Books will be available for purchase.Admission
• $10 per person or Free with a purchase of a book
• Free for OHC members
• Free for students with a valid IDAbout the Book
Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks presents Ohio’s eight UNESCO-inscribed earthworks in a richly illustrated volume from Smithsonian Books. This expanded and re-edited edition of the sites’ World Heritage nomination dossier was produced in collaboration with the Ohio History Connection and the National Park Service. The book features illustrated descriptions and histories of these Indigenous masterpieces, summaries of archaeological research, insights from American Indian scholars and leaders, and discussions of the earthworks’ design, construction, and cultural significance.About the Author
John E. Hancock taught architecture, design, and history at the University of Cincinnati for 40 years. He has produced numerous multimedia exhibits and publications about Ohio’s earthworks and served as the principal author and photographer for the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks UNESCO World Heritage nomination. In addition to this Smithsonian publication (April 2026), he has also released Traveler’s Guide to Ancient Ohio (April 2026).Come learn about one of the world’s greatest ancient landscapes and meet the author behind this exciting new publication!
More info: https://www.ohiohistory.org/events/lecture-and-book-signing-with-john-e-hancock/
2 attendees
Friends of Serpent Mound's SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - 2026, Free
Soaring Eagle Retreat, 375 Horner Chapel Rd., Peebles, OH, USFriends of Serpent Mound's annual SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - 2026
June 19 to 21, 2026
Full schedule and more at the website https://www.serpentmound.org/fullschedule/Festival Hours
Friday
3 pm – 7 pm
Saturday
10 am – 7 pm
Sunday
10 am – 7 pmThe annual festival highlights the area’s history, heritage, ecology, as well as the multitude of aspects associated with the Serpent Mound Park. The Great Serpent Mound effigy, built by the Ancient Indigenous Peoples, incorporates alignments to the rising and setting of the sun and moon on the solstices and equinoxes. The summer solstice sunset alignment is through the open jaws and across the oval.
There are many theories, stories, ancient knowledge, and unknowns with Serpent Mound. The Friends of Serpent Mound started this festival as a way for the public to share and learn about the many facets of Serpent Mound. Our presenters vary from locals, historians, Indigenous Americans, Scientists, Spiritualist, Musicians, and more. Learn about Serpent Mound and the surrounding area’s history, uniqueness, wildlife, and ecology, along with some fun family friendly summer activities
Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Serpent Mound, June 19 to 21, 2026. This free, family friendly festival highlights Appalachian food, culture, nature, and local Indigenous history.
What you can expect:
• Hands-on workshops like natural pigment painting, charcoal pencil making, clay, and weaving
• Gardening sessions focused on year round growing indoors and outdoors
• Outdoor experiences including guided nature hikes, foraging, and crater rim tours
• Live music, flute performances, and Appalachian cultural demonstrations
• Unique sessions like open flame cooking, dulcimer introduction, and automatic writing
• Sunday activities including a kayak tour, pollinator trail dedication, animal programs, and Indigenous music and drummingWhy this place matters:
• Serpent Mound is one of the few effigy mounds in Ohio and the largest known serpent effigy in the United States
• The earthwork stretches nearly a quarter mile and represents an uncoiling serpent
• It sits on a plateau above Brush Creek with nearby burial mounds linked to the Adena culture, dating from 800 BC to AD 100Event details:
• Free to attend, no registration required
• Family friendly with clear guidelines for safety
• Dogs allowed on leash
• No camping available on siteJoin for one day or the full weekend and experience hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and the deep cultural history of this unique site
Festival Parking
Anyone planning to spend the day with us, should enter the festival from Horner Chapel Rd and park in the field. Anyone parked at Serpent Mound may visit us via the Buckeye Trail, but you will have to pay a parking fee. Look for our sign behind the large conical mound and follow the Buckeye Trails’ Blue Blazes to our other signsWhere is Soaring Eagle Retreat?
Soaring Eagle Retreat is east of Serpent Mound and the Ohio History Connection has asked that all of our participants come in from the Horner Chapel entrance and park in our field. One can access Serpent Mound park via the Buckeye Trail during Park hours.
375 Horner Chapel Rd., Peebles, OH 45660
1-937-205-0094
info@serpentmound.orgStop by the Lavender Summer Solstice Festival in near by Martinsville the same weekend at Peaceful Acres Farms
2 attendees
Past events
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