What better way to spend a Saturday in the spring than by visiting the eighth annual Spring Garden Market and Home Show on Saturday.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Succop Conservancy, 185 W. Airport Road, south of Butler.

This year, the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County is partnering with the Butler County Chamber of Commerce to provide residents an expanded experience featuring more vendors and choices to help you usher in the growing season.

Free shuttle service will be available from parking areas across the road from the conservancy as well as from Penn Christian Academy. There is also a short walking trail connecting the Penn Christian property and the conservancy.

The conservancy grounds will be transformed into a showcase of exhibitors ready to help you spruce up your garden, your home and even yourself as you begin to spend more time outdoors. Participants include many businesses and organizations offering ideas for your landscape, garden, home and personal needs.

As in past years, there will be plant vendors, crafters, antique dealers, food and music set amid the wooded conservancy and the Marcraig House.

The Master Gardeners will present two gardening workshops.

At 11:30 a.m., Doug Oster. newspaper columnist, radio personality and organic gardener, will discuss tomatoes, garlic, and basil, which are the basis for many recipes and are the subjects of Oster's just-published book.

At 1 p.m. Bob Yates of Orlando Pride Nursery on Weckerly y Road will focus on the fine points of growing hydrangeas, popular woody ornamentals in the home garden landscape.

Oster is well known for his articles as the Backyard Gardener in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In his new book "Tomatoes Garlic Basil: The Simple Pleasures of Growing and Cooking Your Garden's Most Versatile Veggies," Oster claims tomatoes, garlic and basil are his three favorite plants.

His presentation will feature tips and growing information on these three garden standards as well as stories about his life in the garden. His books will be available for purchase and signing.

Yates is a longtime nurseryman and horticulture specialist at Orlando Pride Nursery near Butler. Pride's was established in 1928, specializes in ornamental trees and shrubs, and is world-renowned for hybridizing the American Holly.

Yates has a wealth of knowledge about woody ornamentals and their use in the landscape.

If, after Mother's Day, you planted your beautiful hydrangea and it never bloomed again or the blossoms were not the color you expected, join Yates as he will explore the genus hydrangea. You will learn how to get your hydrangea to produce the color you want and understand more about the group of woody ornamentals.

Hydrangeas come in many types and sizes, and today's popular varieties are nothing like the hydrangeas you remember from your grandmother's garden.

The Master Gardeners will again host its popular plant sale as well as the traditional silent auction. The auction allows visitors the opportunity to bid on plants and gift baskets containing items from garden tools to gift certificates.

Show attendees also will have the opportunity to win door prizes given by the many participating businesses.

Information concerning the conservancy and its schedule of events, including Extreme Croquet, will be available in the Marcraig House.

Venturing Crew 50, based at the conservancy, will display its restoration projects, which include a mid-1800s hay wagon, a 1940 Case VC tractor and its newest project, a single-seat ultra light airplane.

Venturing is a program of the Boy Scouts. It is a co-ed group comprised of 16- to 21-year-olds who explore history and conservation through hands-on restoration and environmental projects.

Show visitors may buy shepherd's hook plant hangers forged in the conservancy blacksmith shop to help raise funds for their projects.

Visitors can rely on being able to buy Mother's Day gifts and additions for their own home gardens. Garden vendors will offer an array of choices, including vegetables, perennials, herbs, roses, shrubs and small trees.

Food vendors will be on hand with a variety of selections from a light snack and sweets to an entire meal.

What a great way to spend a Saturday.

Susan Struthers is a member of the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County.