Arboretum & Nature Center event this weekend
IF YOU GOWhat: Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale.When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.Where: Chattanooga Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Road.Admission: Free (fees charged for some activities).Phone: 821-1160, ext. 0.Websites: www.reflectionriding.org, www.chattanooganaturecenter.org.
Chattanooga Arboretum & Nature Center (the name of the once separate Chattanooga Nature Center and Reflection Riding Botanical Garden & Arboretum) will present its annual Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale this weekend.
Featured are durable and hardy native plants that thrive in this area's long, dry summer. If planted in fall, cooler temperatures and increased precipitation will help reduce transplant shock and get the plants off to a good start, according to organizers. The roots will continue to grow as long as the soil temperature remains above 45 degrees, they say. An added bonus: less competition from weeds.
In addition to perusing the plants, visitors may take part in guided hikes, bike rides, canoe tours and talks on gardening topics.
A food vendor will be serving picnic-friendly items. Bramble Roses will entertain with live music from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Crabtree Farms event is Saturday
Crabtree Farms will offer more than 70 varieties of vegetables, herbs, perennial and annual flowers at its Fall Plant Sale & Festival on Saturday. The selection includes a range of winter veggies and fruit-bearing plants.
According to organizers, the sale is meant to encourage area residents "to support and grow local food while increasing their self-sufficiency and access to fresh produce."
To set the festival mood, local artists will feature homemade crafts and Rick Davis will entertain on hammer dulcimer throughout the day. Vendors will offer a variety of products.
Workshops on organic gardening, composting and vermicomposting will be held.
Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.
Reservations are being accepted for two other events at the urban farm this fall. The fifth annual Pig Roast is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8, and for a Post Soil Test Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 12. To reserve a spot at either event, call 423-493-9155, ext. 13, or email info@crabtreefarms.org.
To reach Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., take I-24 to the Rossville Boulevard South exit. Go less than 1 mile south on Rossville Boulevard to East 30th Street and turn right. East 30th winds through a residential neighborhood and dead-ends at the farm.
For a complete list of plants that will be available, visit www.crabtreefarms.org.