Events

Ask a Master Gardener

Have a question about your garden, lawn, or favorite indoor plant? Not sure where to start in creating your home vegetable garden?  Stop by the Ask a Master Gardener table at the Kiosk in the Kalmia Gardens parking lot! Clemson Extension Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, ranging from turf to trees, insects to irrigation, soil to sustainable practices, and everything in between.

This is a free resource and no appointment is necessary. Drop in any time between 9am and 1pm!

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Reflections on a Career in Horticulture and a Vision for the Future of the South Carolina Botanical Garden

Join Martin Hamilton, Executive Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University, for his presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and tickets may be purchased for $5 here. This presentation will be live-streamed virtually at the Joslin Education Center, where Martin will present digitally.

Martin will be virtually presenting his lecture Reflections on a Career in Horticulture and a Vision for the Future of the South Carolina Botanical Garden. He will discuss his career in horticulture before transitioning to his role as Executive Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University. The presentation will highlight the vital role botanic gardens play in biodiversity conservation and how many botanical gardens act as safe havens for rare and endangered plant species by cultivating them outside their natural habitats (ex-situ conservation), which includes seed banking and safeguarding collections. The presentation will include insights into the work of SCBG including plant propagation and conservation projects and the crucial role in educating the public about the importance of biodiversity and the threats to it. The presentation will look at some of the on-going work at the garden and new projects and initiatives that are helping conserve native plants. The presentation will finish with a look at the workshops, volunteer programs, and educational events that are held at SCBG.

Martin Hamilton is a native of Kentucky and has worked and studied at institutions in the USA and abroad, including Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in the United Kingdom, and Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Virginia. Martin is an Honorary Research Associate at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and a Fellow of The Linnean Society of London. He is particularly interested in the conservation and management of threatened species, habitat restoration, and the development and management of plant collections. Martin is a member of the South Carolina Native Plant Society and is an avid gardener. Martin started as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden at Clemson University in August 2023.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

NOTE: This presentation will be held live in the Joslin Education Center, but will be live streamed with the presenter not physically present in the room.

November 19, 2025
12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Christmas Open House

You are cordially invited to share the holiday spirit with Kalmia Gardens at the Historic Hart House c. 1820.

The Hart House will be open, free of charge, decorated in period style with light snacks and a visit from Old Saint Nick. Along with the Hart House tour, the Hart Cottage will also be open free of charge. Please visit both historic homes on Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hart House is located in Kalmia Gardens at 1624 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, S.C. 29550.
The Hart Cottage is located at 106 E. Home Ave., Hartsville, S.C. 29550.

December 7, 2025
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, The Wonderful World of the Virginia Opossum

Join Katherine Schelp, Wildlife Rehabilitator, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and $5 tickets will be on sale soon.

Katherine will be presenting her lecture The Wonderful World of the Virginia Opossum. She will discuss the Virginia Opossum, including their habitat, life cycle, diet, benefits, and reasons to invite them to your yard.

Katherine Schelp has been a Wildlife Rehabilitator since January of 2000. Her experience includes working with Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center (formerly Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons) in Hampton Bays, N.Y. and Save the Animals Rescue (S.T.A.R.) Foundation in Middle Island, N.Y. She is a 78-year-old transplant from Long Island, New York who arrived in Hartsville, S.C. in November 2022.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

January 21, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, Converting Your Lawn to Garden

Join Carmen Ketron, Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Darlington and Florence counties at Clemson Extension, for her presentation in Kalmia Gardens’ adult education series, Cultivating Knowledge: A Lecture Series, at the Joslin Education Center. Pre-registration is required and $5 tickets will be on sale soon.

Carmen will be presenting her lecture Converting Your Lawn to Garden. She will share a comprehensive presentation that teaches proven techniques for converting grass areas into beautiful, productive garden beds. Discover site assessment, grass removal methods, soil preparation, plant selection, and maintenance strategies. Leave with the knowledge to create an eco-friendly space that uses less water and chemicals than traditional lawns.

Carmen Ketron is the Urban Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Darlington and Florence counties. Carmen has a BA in Political Science from Coastal Carolina University, an MS in Environmental Science and a MPA from The College of Charleston with a focus in food system nonprofits. She started her career in horticulture growing mixed vegetables and cut flowers in Tidewater Virginia and went on to managing community and university gardening programs at the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina. Her passion lies in engaging people in the numerous mental, physical, and emotional benefits of working with plants and plant materials through ecological placemaking and all aspects of urban and peri-urban horticulture.

The Joslin Education Center is located at 1520 W. Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, SC 29550.

February 18, 2026
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Oyster Roast Fundraiser

We’re sure you have heard how amazing this event is, with mounds of steamers, cold craft beer, flowing wine, live music, a huge porch full of incredible foods (for you land lovers), as well as a mix of some mighty fine folks. Well, we will be pulling it all together again March 21, 2026 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., and you don’t want to miss out. Purchase tickets while they’re still available – this event does sell out!

March 21, 2026
4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Darlington County Master Gardener Association Plant Sale

Are you looking for some unique plants to add to your home garden? Look no further than the Darlington County Master Gardener Association Plant Sale at the Joslin Education Center at Kalmia Gardens! Shop for annuals, perennials, edibles, shrubs and more! Not sure what will work in your garden? No problem! Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions and help you make the best planting decisions for your unique garden situation.

April 16-18, 2026
April 16-17: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 18: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Please note: This event is held at the Joslin Education Center
1520 W. Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, S.C. 29550

Earth Day Celebration

Come celebrate Earth Day at Kalmia Gardens! This free event is fun for the whole family and includes local vendors and exhibitors that can’t wait to meet you and share their love of the natural world. Enjoy nature hikes throughout the grounds all while appreciating the wonders of Mother Nature.

April 18, 2026
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.