Welcome to the Master Gardeners
of Hamilton County website
Despite challenging conditions with soil and climate, gardening is one of the most popular activities. We Master Gardeners are glad to share our knowledge and experience with you through a variety of projects, workshops, and demonstration gardens.
“One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.”
~ W.E. Johns, “The Passing Show”
Announcements/Coming Events
“Tennessee Gardeners” Specialty License Plate
The Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs (TFGC) has introduced a new specialty license plate for “Tennessee Gardeners”. The plate is for those people in garden clubs, master gardeners, landscapers, and all people inspired by all types of gardening. The money will be used for TFGC conservation efforts throughout Tennessee.
The specialty plates cost $35 in addition to your annual vehicle registration fee. The TFGC must have 1000 pre-ordered paid applications before the plates can be made. The deadline for getting the applications is June 30 2013.
For more information about pre-ordering your “Tennessee Gardeners” specialty plate, click here.
Chattanooga Market – Every Sunday until September 1
Sunday, May 5 marks the first day for the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County table at this year’s Chattanooga Market. The Chattanooga Market is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Sunday at the First Tennessee Pavilion, Downtown Chattanooga.
There will be guest experts from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. for a question and answer session on their area of expertise. For a schedule of the Guest Experts, click here.
For more information on the Chattanooga Market, go to the Chattanooga Market website.
Shades of Greene Garden Tour – Greeneville, TN – May 18
The First Annual Greeneville Garden Tour hosted by Main Street: Greeneville will be held Saturday, May 18th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm rain or shine. The tour features five of downtown Greeneville’s beautiful private gardens as well as several public gardens along the tour route. Each garden has its own unique personality and story. THere will be musicians, artists, Master Gardeners, herbalists, and more. For information, go to the Main Street: Greeneville website.
Food For Life 2013 – Sequatchie Valley – May 31-June 2
Join us at the Sequatchie Valley Institute for Food For Life 2013, an act of community connecting and opening us to the flow of energy we call food. Topics include, fermentation and the art of cooking, the joy of eating, nutrition, herbal medicine, crop and animal production and building relationships with the origins of our food. For more information, go to the SVI website.
CAFB’s Spring Garden Tour – Chattanooga – June 1 & 2
In this year’s Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s Annual Spring Garden Tour, you will be inspired by the four private gardens each representing a work of art and love. Stroll among perennials, herbs, and native wildflowers while gathering ideas on how to use sculpture and artifacts, water features, and stonework.
Also on the tour are two Community Gardens. The Brainerd by Grace Community Garden features raised beds and offers a place where participants can garden and socialize. The Food Bank’s garden, the Evelyn Davenport Navarre Teaching & Enabling Garden hosts educational workshops on vegetable gardening, best gardening practices, conservation, and cooking & preserving classes.
Tickets are $15 (children under 12 are free) and can be purchased in advance at the Food Bank or at any of the gardens during the tour. The tour raises funds for the CAFB’s Bill Johnson Community Garden which provides elderly residents of the downtown Gateway community the opportunity to grow their own fresh produce, herbs, and flowers. For the more information, click here.
Through Our Garden Gates Garden Tour – Memphis, TN – June 8
The 4th annual public garden tour by Memphis Area Master Gardeners is on Saturday, June 8, 2013, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Six Master Gardener home gardens from East Memphis to Germantown will feature speakers throughout the day including a live taping of the “Family Plot” WKNO-TV series on gardening in the Mid-South with Dr. Chris Cooper, University of Tennessee Extension agent and Interim Coordinator of the Tennessee Master Gardener program. Speaker topics include: Herbs, Hydrangeas, Lasagna gardening, Roses, Wild birds, Irises, Chickens, Rain barrels, Window boxes, Cacti, Containers, and Ask a Master Gardener.
Donations are appreciated. Visit the Memphis Area MG website and Facebook page in May for details or call Memphis Area Master Gardener office, 901-752-1207.
Brainerd Community Garden Events – June 9, July 14
Brainerd by Grace (B2G) Community Garden 2013 Events has announced special events for 2013. The Community Garden at the Pavilion/Garden is located behind Grace Episcopal Church, 20 Belvoir Ave., Chattanooga, TN. These events are free and open to everyone.
- Sunday, June 9 – Class and Outdoor Lab in the Garden
- Sunday, July 14 – Growing Herbs class
For more information, click here.
Hemlock Help Clinic and Facilitator Training Workshop – Walden, TN – June 22
The Signal Mountain Tree Board is sponsoring a Hemlock Help Clinic and Facilitator Training Workshop on June 22, 2013. The Hemlock Help Clinic is a one-hour presentation of the current hemlock crisis, the consequences of doing nothing, the available solutions for saving as many trees as possible, and ways property owners and local organizations can help. The Facilitator Training Workshop will follow the Clinic. It provides in-depth information about the adelgid, hemlocks, control methods, treatment products and application methods, environmental and human safety. The new Facilitator will then have to opportunity to share this knowledge, advise property owners, and volunteer in their community. This is totally free of charge.
Please take advantage of this opportunity and plan to attend the Clinic and, if possible, the Facilitator Training Workshop. Reservations are required. To register, or for more information about the scheduling and venue, email Barbara Womack at bgwomack@epbfi.com.
Cullowhee Native Plant Conference – Cullowhee, NC – July 17-20
The purpose of the Cullowhee Conference is to “increase interest in and knowledge of propagating and preserving native southeastern plant species in the landscape.” The conference includes field trips, lectures and workshops. There are several concurrent sessions and field trips to choose from and the schedule also allows for informal sessions for exchanging ideas. Both professionals and home gardeners, anyone interested in nature, will find the sessions informational.
The conference is held at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Cullowhee is located between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, approximately fifty miles west of Asheville. Go to the click here for more information.
Chattanooga “Herbies”
The Chattanooga Herbies meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Master Gardeners, friends, and anyone interested in herbs are welcome to attend and Master Gardeners can earn continuing education and teaching credits for participating.
Chattanooga Regional Hosta Society
The Chattanooga Regional Hosta Society meets at 1:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at East Ridge Community Center. Master Gardeners and anyone interested in growing beautiful Hosta and learning about companion plants are welcome. If you have questions, contact Shirley McMasters at 423-344-5876 or visit the Chattanooga Regional Hosta Society website.
Tennessee Valley Wild Ones
Are you interested in plants native to this area or have you always had a soft spot for wildflowers? The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Wild Ones was designed for you. The meetings are usually held on the first Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at various locations and destinations. Check the program schedule at Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones.
Tennessee Valley Bonsai Society
The Tennessee Valley Bonsai Society is conducting meetings on the second Saturday of the month from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Agriculture Center (6183 Adamson Circle, just off of Bonny Oaks Drive).
The objectives of the group are as follows:
- To promote knowledge, interest, education, and the enjoyment of bonsai and other living plant materials.
- To improve members’ collections and exhibitions of bonsai.
- To develop learning opportunities to assist members in the preparation and care of bonsai.
- To raise awareness of bonsai in the community through public service, communications and other activities such as demonstrations for the general public
All are welcome at the meeting. If anyone has questions contact Jim Gumnick at 423-847-1342 or jlgtwo@peoplepc.com or visit the Tennessee Valley Bonsai Society website.
Tennessee Valley Daylily Society
The Tennessee Valley Daylily Society is dedicated to the enjoyment of growing daylilies, the perfect perennial, and to having fun while getting to know other gardeners. The purpose of the TVDS is to:
- promote interest in Hemerocallis
- provide educational opportunities to its membership and the public
- encourage the development and improvement of Hemerocallis by all suitable and appropriate means.
They invite you to become a member. For more information on meetings and becoming a member, go to the TVDS website.