MGEVs are very actively involved all over the state in demonstration gardens. These gardens offer a great way for people to learn about plants and gardening through observation of MGEVs at work, tours, and workshops. UGA Extension Fulton County ANR agent, Gabrielle LaTora, describes these gardens as, ” real-life spaces to teach horticulture and gardening to the residents in our county. They provide a variety of venues where we can host educational programs and events, and they supply teaching tools that participants can see, touch, and experience. These spaces enhance our educational programming because they show real-life examples of how plants exist in our environment. Demonstration gardens are valuable in so many different ways, and we see this value as the community enjoys and engages in a variety of different classes and programs in a single garden, from composting 101 to an insect safari to seed saving. They’re also a great medium for storytelling and teaching because they often come with their own histories, legacies, challenges, and victories.”
In June, you have the opportunity to experience these incredible spaces yourself by visiting demonstration gardens around the state during our Open Garden Days! Use our comprehensive garden guide as you plan your garden visits. Invite your friends and family to tag along and enjoy an easy summer outing with the kids. They may be out of school, but there is so much to learn in a garden, especially with all that Master Gardeners have planned! Fellow MGEVs, you may add group road trips to visit gardens and chat with volunteers in nearby counties to your summer calendars! There is considerable value in connecting with volunteers and projects outside of your county. You’ll leave with inspiration and ideas to take back home!
While the Open Garden Days events are an invitation into MGEV demonstration gardens around the state, they give visitors the opening to learn about horticulture in a direct manner as they see firsthand how Master Gardener Extension Volunteers carry out the UGA Extension mission of helping Georgians learn, grow, and do more. This Saturday, June 1, enjoy the hard work volunteers have dedicated to preparing their gardens and planning programming as you join us in Fayette, Glynn, Coweta, Floyd, or Paulding for fun garden events! Check our garden guide for a complete schedule.
