Garden Symposium & Expo – a real treat for area gardeners

• Billy Skaggs, Hall County Extension Agent

The kids are back in school and football season is just around the corner. With fall comes many fun activities. If you’re looking for something different and are into gardening, two great events taking place at the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center on Saturday, September 8^th may be just what you’re looking for – Fall Gardening Symposium and Fall Garden Expo.

Both the Symposium and the Garden Expo are brought to you by the Hall County Master Gardeners and the Hall County Cooperative Extension office. The Fall Gardening Symposium is a full day of educational seminars from four nationally-known gardening experts. The Gardening Symposium is also known for great door prizes – including our Grand Prize provided by Howard Brothers of Oakwood.

The theme of this year’s Symposium is "Foliage, Flowers and Feathers," and this year’s speakers include: Carol Reese, University of Tennessee Horticulturist; Georgann Schmalz, bird and wildlife enthusiast; Ernest Koone, Owner of Lazy K Nursery and native azalea expert; and Tom Johnson, Horticulture Director at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and camellia expert.

The Symposium runs from 9:00am to 3:30pm and, the cost to attend is $39.00 which includes a morning break and a buffet lunch. Registration information can found at www.hcmgs.com.

In conjunction with the Gardening Symposium, the Master Gardeners have also planned another outstanding Garden Expo which is free and open to the public. The Fall Garden Expo will kickoff at 8:00 a.m. and be open until 4:30 p.m. So for those of you interested in attending the Symposium, you’ll have time to shop at the Expo as well.

The purpose of the Garden Expo is to provide local residents with a unique opportunity to shop for locally produced garden products direct from the grower, garden center, or dealer. You’re sure to find some great deals and an outstanding selection.

Approximately 25 vendors are scheduled to be at the Expo selling a variety of items, including specialty plants, natives, annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, power equipment, hand tools, landscaping services, garden art, and lawn furniture. If you’re looking for that hard-to-find plant or the latest in garden trends, a trip to the Fall Garden Expo will be worth the effort.

And for gardening questions, suggestions and advice, stop by the ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ booth for the latest information from locals who know. They’ll be glad to assist you with whatever garden dilemma you may be faced with. We’ll also have FREE mulch available courtesy of the City Gainesville, so bring your pickup truck or trailer.

If you’re looking for some garden inspiration, consider attending the Fall Gardening Symposium, or if you’re just looking for a fun outing for the whole family, come out to the Fall Garden Expo. Both events are at the Chicopee Woods AG Center on Saturday, September 8^th.

For more information, go to www.hcmgs.com or call the Hall County Extension office at (770)535-8293.

Billy Skaggs