Spring is here and it’s time to plan your garden and get your hands dirty!
Beleaguered gardeners from across the state are weary of winter and yearning to get outdoors to begin spring cleanup and planting. Thanks to the Oktibbeha County Master Gardeners and Mississippi State University, help and inspiration are on the way.
The 2018 edition of the Everything Garden Expo will be staged Saturday and Sunday at the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville. Vendors of virtually every facet of gardening will be on hand to present the latest in plants, supplies and techniques.
“We have enlisted some of the South’s most noted program leaders to hold educational seminars on a broad spectrum of issues from controlling fire ants, to growing vegetables in boxes … and everything in between,” declared Jane Loveless, chairman of the event.
She is being assisted by Jim McKell of the Master Gardeners who stressed that proceeds will be used to award scholarships to deserving students planning to pursue careers in agriculture.
“We will offer programs for children and valuable information for garden professionals and hobbyists alike,” noted Loveless.
The two-day Expo will fill the sprawling Mississippi Horse Park off South Montgomery Street and include almost 60 vendors. Plants and tools will be available for purchase and visitors can stroll the venue leisurely, selecting seminars and activities that most interested them.
Highlights on Saturday, March 24
Noted speakers on Saturday include radio personality Nellie Neal (Garden Mama) who will discuss “Cut Flowers for Home, Businesses and Communities (2:15 p.m.) and Gary Bachman, host of the award-winning “Southern Gardening” TV, radio and newspaper, who will present “Growing Vegetables in Boxes.” (3:30 p.m.)
At 4:45 p.m., the talented author and designer Jim DelPrince will discuss the latest in “Floral Designs From Your Southern Garden.”
Other Saturday speakers include:
Jim McCurdy, editor of Mississippi Turfgrass Magazine, will kick off seminars with his discussion of “Sustaining the Home Lawn” (8:45 a.m.) followed by Michael Hatcher, owner of the Garden Center of Olive Branch and a landscape architecture graduate of MSU. He will present the latest in Hardscapes in the Landscape” (10 a.m.), followed by Jason Gordon, who will discuss “Tree Selection for Mississippi Gardens.” (11:15 a.m.)
Highlights on Sunday, March 25
Christine Coker, MSU professor of urban horticulture, will present tips and techniques for “Veggie Gardening in Small Spaces” at 11:30 a.m. and Michael Seal will discuss Air Plants, Epiphytes and Bromeliads at 12:45 p.m. Richard Harkess will share planting ideas for large containers for spring, summer, fall and winter (2 p.m.)
Garden Expo offers something for everyone
Children’s activities are designed to promote a lifelong enjoyment of garden activities for youngsters. They will have an opportunity to plant seeds, meet caterpillars, and observe birds of prey. MSU Extension’s “Farmtastic” will offer hands-on agricultural activities for a broad range in ages.
Doors will open at 7:45 a.m. Saturday and close at 6 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Price of admission is $5. Children 6 and under will be admitted free.
Anyone interested in a booth or more information may contact Loveless at 662-320-9574.
