Five consecutive weekends of gardening workshops, classes, shows and plant sales start Saturday, all aimed at helping backyard gardeners gear up for fall planting.
They range from how-tos to look-how-we-did, show-and-tell exhibits. The five-week stretch is highlighted by Crabtree Farms' and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center's fall plant sales the weekend of Sept. 12.
Reflection Riding's sale is unique in that its plant starts are all native to this region - many propagated from wildflowers, shrubs and trees growing on Lookout Mountain or surrounding areas. Starts are a backyard gardener's short cut. They are fledgling plants grown from seed in nurseries then nurtured to the point they are ready to be transferred into the ground.
There will be 130 species of flowers, flowering vines, herbs and shrubs at the Riding's sale.
"From perennials to shrubs, our prices range from $4 to $20," says Laura Stephenson, Reflection Riding marketing manager.
Crabtree Farms offers 42 types of vegetable, herbs and perennial starts, as well as seeds. Andrea Jaeger, Crabtree Farms program coordinator, says about 1,000 visitors are expected based on past years' attendance. She says the farm's prices range from $2.50 to $10.
Gardeners who love flowers but are more inclined to find paint rather than dirt under their nails will enjoy the Aug. 30 talk at Hunter Museum of American Art. Local landscaper Scott Drucker will describe flowers that inspired artists of the Impressionist era. Afterwards, participants will tour the museum's "Monet and American Impressionism" exhibit to see how artists used them in their work.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
SATURDAY, AUG. 22
* Butterfly Garden Workshop: Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., 10 a.m.-noon, free to Crabtree Farm members, $10 all others. Preregister: 493-9155, ext. 10.
Naturalist John Jaeger will teach how to plant a garden that attracts butterflies, which host plants are needed by caterpillars and creating a safe garden environment without using pesticides.
SATURDAY, AUG. 29
* Fall Gardening Workshop: Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., 10 a.m.-noon, free to Crabtree Farm members, $10 all others. Preregister: 493-9155, ext. 10.
Learn from Crabtree Farm Executive Director Sara McIntyre how to grow fall veggies such as kohlrabi, lettuce, beets, carrots and berry bushes. The goal of the class is to teach participants how to prepare their gardens, says Crabtree Farms Program Coordinator Andrea Jaeger, so as soon as they get home from the fall plant sale, they can put the starts they bought in the ground.
SUNDAY, AUG. 30
* Garden Talk: Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, 1:30 p.m., free to museum members, $15 admission for nonmembers. 267-0968
Scott Drucker of Dream Gardens Landscape leads discussion on flowers of Impressionist gardens, followed by a tour of the museum's "Monet and American Impressionism" exhibit led by Adera Causey, Hunter's head of education.
"We will talk about the plants and a little about the artists," says Drucker. "Poppies, hollyhocks and lilies were all very popular with Impressionists. There were a lot of white lilies - the Madonna and Regal lily - in their artwork, or red poppies used with blue cornflowers or larkspur."
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5
* Lawn Care Class: Holcomb Garden Center, 5513 Highway 153, 10 a.m. Free, but limited seating, pre-registration encouraged: 877-8782.
Tim Holcomb leads a class on what to do now in the yard, with tips for planting grass and fertilizing. Class includes slideshow and handouts.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SEPT. 11-12
* Fall Native Plant Sale: Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, free admission, plants and shrubs $4-$20.
In addition to 130 species of native plants, there will be garden experts on hand to answer questions, educational workshops both days, guided hikes of the grounds and animals on display at the wildlife tent.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
* Crabtree Farms Fall Plant Sale and Festival: Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., free admission, plants $2.50 for two plants, $3.50 for three, perennials priced to $10. 493-9155
In addition to 42 types of vegetables, herbs and perennial flowers, free workshops will be held on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Topics, in order, are: pollinators, fall gardening tips, making kimchi out of fall veggies using fermentation, composting and a children's beekeeping class led by Tennessee Valley Beekeepers.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 13
* Grow Your Own Gourmet Mushrooms: Tennessee Aquarium, One Broad St., 2-4 p.m., $25 Aquarium members, $35 nonmembers, fee includes all supplies. Preregistration required: 267-3474.
Horticulturist Christine Bock leads class for ages 12 and up (children must be accompanied by adult) on how to cultivate edible mushrooms. Learn techniques to grow oyster mushrooms using coffee grounds and cardboard. Prepare 3-foot hardwood logs infused with shiitake mushroom spawn and learn how to care for it.
MONDAY, SEPT. 14
* The Ferns of Tennessee: Green Spaces, 63 E. Main St., 6-8 p.m., free, sponsored by the Tennessee Valley chapter of Wild Ones native plant society. tnvalleywildones@gmail.com
Tennessee is home to many native ferns and it can be hard to distinguish one from another. Pat Blackwell Cox, TVA botanical specialist, will explain the terminology associated with ferns' structures, discuss the most common ferns in Tennessee, the rarest and undesirable invasive species.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, SEPT. 19-20
* Tennessee Dahlia Society's 20th annual show: Erlanger Wellness Center, 7380 Volkswagen Drive, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, free admission. newsom@bledsoe.net
Rose Newsom, Tennessee Dahlia Society secretary, said the Georgia Dahlia Society, Alabama Dahlia Society and Carolina Dahlia Society will join the host Tennessee society for the show. In addition to viewing two rooms full of blossoms displayed for judging, visitors have the opportunity to ask questions and get growing advice from members stationed in the rooms to answer questions.
"We usually have between 900 to 1,000 entries (blooms on display). Individual blooms will be available for sale both days. Large blooms are $3 each, medium-size $2 and smaller blooms $1. We will also have bouquets available for sale. Price depends on how many blooms and their size, but they will probably start at $10 each, which will include a vase," she says.