Spring has certainly shown its colors. Dogwoods have bloomed in glorious whites and pinks, daffodils flaunted cheerful bright yellows and trees have leafed out in brand-new shades of green.

You know what this means: It's time for another season of gardening. More time before sunset gives us additional hours to indulge in the joyful creation of fresh food and gorgeous flowers and plants.

The Spring Garden Market Flower & Food Fest — from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 22 — has just what you need to get started on the upcoming growing season.

Hosted by Butler County Parks and Recreation and Penn State Master Gardeners in the area near the Odd Fellows Shelter in Alameda Park, this event is designed to keep visitors safe and will focus on gardening and good eats.

Vendors will offer perennial and annual flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, even small trees, to fill your outdoor growing space.

After you've found what you need for your garden, vendors will be on hand with treats that suit your fancy, from light snacks and sweets to entire meals.

The Butler and Zelienople-Harmony Farmer's Markets will get an early start on the season with representatives selling flowers, plants and food products.To ensure the safety of the Master Gardeners and the community, the 2021 Master Gardener Plant Sale will be virtual. You may reserve your plants in advance for pickup at the Flower & Food Fest.To order plants, visit www.bit.ly/MGvirtualfest.

Bring the children in your life along and give them an up-close and personal encounter with goats and rabbits at the petting zoo.This event is sponsored by Armstrong, Butler Eagle, Metrick's Harvest View Farm, Ritenour Custom Lawn Care and Schneider's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County are volunteers in the Penn State Master Gardener program. Their mission is to support Penn State Cooperative Extension by utilizing research-based information to educate the public on best practices in consumer horticulture and environmental stewardship. For more information, visit their website at http://extension.psu.edu/plants/master-gardener/counties/butler or call 724-287-4761.<i>Susan Struthers is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.</i>