Sara McIntyre, executive director of Crabtree Farms, is the luncheon speaker for Day of Gardening, presented by the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, District III, on Saturday, Feb. 27.Still to come
› March 5: Perennial Gardening class at Holcomb Garden Center, Hixson› March 19: Container Gardening class and Workshop Series: Ready To Garden (Part 1) at Crabtree Farms› March 24: Tri-State Rose Society meeting at North River Civic Center; topic, “Shrub Roses”› April 2: Square Foot Gardening Workshop, plus Workshop Series: Ready To Garden (Part 2) at Crabtree Farms› April 2: Spring Wildflowers program at Reflection Riding› April 9-10: Master Your Garden Expo at Camp Jordan, East Ridge› April 15-16: Spring Native Plant Sale at Reflection Riding› April 15-17: Spring Plant Sale & Festival at Crabtree Farms› April 22-24: EarthDayz at Rock City
Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Ga., offers more than 20 million examples of narcissus in bloom during its annual Daffodil Festival.Whether you’re interested in an entire Day of Gardening or just a quick hit on bees, bonsai or roses, the week is shaping up nicely for hobbyists eager to get busy in the yard, if the weather would only cooperate.
It’s an especially big weekend for bonsai. Two area nurseries are offering specialty classes and the Day of Gardening has the ancient art of growing trees in small pots among its program topics.
Elsewhere, the Tennessee Environmental Council is seeking volunteers to help plant trees at state parks for 50K Tree Day, and the fifth annual Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Ga., gets underway next week.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead.
* Rose Pruning: 7 p.m. today, Feb. 25, at North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Hixson.
Visitors are welcome at the Tri-State Rose Society’s monthly meetings. For February, Ann Bartlett and Rick Sharpe will share their techniques for pruning various types or roses. If you really want to see the pruners in action, you can find them tending the roses at Veterans Park in Soddy-Daisy on Saturday, March 12. Learn more at nyx.meccahosting.com/~a00084eb.
* Day of Gardening: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 822 Belvoir Ave., East Ridge.
The Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs, District III, sponsors this annual event.
Experts will offer classes on nine topics: “Save Our Pollinators, Save Our World,” “The Fascinating World of Fungi,” “Designing With Roses,” “Container Gardens,” “The Art of Bonsai,” “The Importance of Trees,” “Perennials and Shrubs To Attract Wildlife,” “Native Plants” and “Basil and Lavender.”
According to organizers, there are three class times – 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – and each time has a choice of three topics. Sara McIntyre, executive director of Crabtree Farms, will be the guest speaker for the soup luncheon at noon. Her topic is “Farm to Table.”
Lunch is included in the ticket price, which is $25 at the door. For more information, call 423-618-4244.
* Beekeeping Basics: 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Stockdale’s, 5450 Highway 153.
Beekeepers of all ages and skill levels are welcome at this class taught by Greg Vincent, an advanced-level beekeeper. Vincent will explain what equipment is needed to get started, the costs involved, the types of support available for beginners and the basic dos and don’ts of keeping bees. Time will be allotted at the end of class for Vincent to answer questions. Stockdale’s will have select beekeeping items on sale.
Registration is not required, but you can find out more on the event’s Facebook page, on.fb.me/1PDomZL, or by calling 423-876-0152.
* The Art of Bonsai (Make & Take): 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Road.
Participants will learn how to prune, landscape and care for a miniature tree from James Szadek, an expert from Monrovia Growers. Cost is $54.99, which includes a take-home juniper bonsai and pot. Space is limited. Call 423-886-3174 or stop by the store to sign up.
* Bonsai Basics: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 27, at The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th Street Place.
Experts at The Barn Nursery view bonsai as a hobby that can “expand your world.” They’ll offer the “101 of Bonsai” – planting, pruning and general care – in this class. Cost is $10, and participants get a 10 percent coupon toward a purchase. Call 423-698-2276 to register.
* Native Plant Symposium: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the UTC University Center, 642 E. Fifth St.
This one’s still more than a week away, but you can get a discount on admission if you register by Tuesday, March 1. Presented by the Tennessee Valley Chapter of Wild Ones, the event is designed for casual and experienced gardeners. “Celebrating the Southeast’s Bounty” is this year’s theme. Find out more at tennesseevalley.wildones.org/2016-symposium.
* Daffodil Festival: Tuesday, March 1, through mid-April at Gibbs Gardens, 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, Ga.
More than 20 million blooming daffodils blanket 50 acres at Gibbs Gardens, a certified American Daffodil Society Display Garden, one of only 25 in 15 states. The daffodils represent more than 100 varieties in a wide range of colors and with blooming periods that span several weeks. During the six-week festival, they’ll get added color support from hundreds of dogwoods, ornamental cherry trees, forsythia, spiraea and quince.
The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Gates close at 4 p.m. For a schedule of events, visit www.gibbsgardens.com, email info@gibbsgardens.com or call 770-893-1880 or 770-893-1881.