Sharing the Bounty

Photo by Katie Sikora.

Eight years ago Master Gardeners Doug and Barb Henderson and Sally Everhardus planted 20 different varieties of basil in the community garden plots at the north end of The Garden Door.

“Wouldn’t it be fun if we had an event for the public that showcased all the different ways to use basil, and Pesto Festo was born,” Doug Henderson recalls. “The first year was just pestos,” he tells me. “But the event was so successful we just naturally thought to expand it and include ideas and recipes of how to use all types of local produce grown at The Garden Door.”

After that first year the Master Gardeners expanded the event to include all local garden produce, renaming it Pesto Festo and The Taste of the Garden Door and even included a grilling component. “But,” Henderson recalls with a chuckle, “we had way too many people turn out so we eliminated the grilling portion.”

According to Henderson, even without the grilling component, the event draws lots of people. Last year’s event drew nearly 600 people, some from as far away as Iowa.

Additionally, the public is encouraged to participate by entering the Pesto Festo contest. It’s not too late to enter! There are no rules governing recipe ingredients. Each pesto entry needs to consist of at least three cups of pesto and include: a title, a recipe, how the pesto might be used and contact information. Entry forms can be found at dcmga.org.

Pesto entries need to be dropped off between 9 and 10:45 am the day of the event – Sept. 6. No entries will be accepted after 10:45 am. Winners of the Pesto Festo taste will be announced at 3:30 pm, followed by a door prize which you must be present to win. The event is free and opens to the general public at 1 pm and closes at 4 pm.

Photo by Katie Sikora.

Jane Knapppen-Cole, an herb enthusiast and founding member of the Green Bay area Herbs in Thyme Garden Club will be available during the event to answer guests’ questions and curiosities about growing and using herbs.

As adults taste their way through the rabbit patch, salads and sides, and cookies and breads, master gardener volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about gardening. Kids can enjoy the play area of Mr. Toad’s Abode.

The Garden Door is located at the UW Peninsular Agricultural Research Station just a few miles north of Sturgeon Bay on Highway 42.