MGHC Celebrates 30 Years By Hosting 4 Beginner Gardening Classes In March

  • Thursday, February 22, 2024
The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, in association with the University of Tennessee Extension, offer their 30th annual Beginner & Newcomer Gardening Classes, taking place over four consecutive Tuesday evenings in March (5, 12, 19, 26) from 6:30-9 p.m.  

MGHC classes are taught by certified by Master Gardeners and experienced UTIA professionals and take place at the UT Hamilton County Extension Center, 6183 Adamson Circle, located off Bonny Oaks Drive in Chattanooga.  

MGHC’s Beginner & Newcomer series is open to the public.
The fee is $50 or $75 for couples sharing materials for all four classes, and includes notebooks, door prizes, refreshments and other materials.  The deadline to register is March 1.  

For more information and a registration form, go to: https://mghc.org/beginner-newcomer-program/.

Master Gardener Mike Payne, who founded the program, said, “MGHC’s Beginner and Newcomer Gardening Classes was created to provide the both the newbie gardener and those new to our area an overview of gardening information and landscaping techniques based on our 16-week Master Gardener Training Course.  

"Over four consecutive Tuesday evenings, participants learn essential gardening practices, including how to enhance the beauty of their own homes and yards, as well as the basics of growing flowers and vegetables.  

"Each class covers two topics: Soils & Fertilization / Turfgrasses; Landscape Design / Edible Landscaping; Trees & Shrubs / Attracting Wildlife; and Beginning Vegetables / Perennials & Annuals.  Over the past 30 years, these classes have educated several thousand residents of Hamilton County, providing them with the knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life in our area.”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary year in 2024, the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County (MGHC), a nonprofit, educational, volunteer organization, has played an important role in the civic life of Chattanooga and the surrounding area.  MGHC sponsors annual events open to the public including our “Master Your Garden” Expo, Spring Garden Tour, and Fall Garden Festival.  Among the ongoing landscaping and garden partnerships undertaken by MGHC are: Alpine Crest Outdoor Learning Center & Gardens, Tennessee Aquarium Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, Battle Academy Rooftop Garden,  Bonny Oaks Arboretum, Green Grace Community Garden, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga Zoo, Crabtree Farms, CUMC Community Garden, McCoy Farm & Garden, Orange Grove Center Garden and St. Albans Community & Rose Gardens.  

For more information about MGHC programs and activities, visit: https://mghc.org/.

Class schedule:

March 5 - Soils & Fertilization; Turfgrasses
March 12 - Landscape Design; Edible Landscaping
March 19 - Trees & Shrubs; Attracting Wildlife  
March 26 - Beginning Vegetables; Perennials & Annuals
Outdoors
Volunteers Remove Litter From Conasauga Watershed For Make A Difference Day
Volunteers Remove Litter From Conasauga Watershed For Make A Difference Day
  • 12/4/2024

The 30th annual Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup saw a turnout of 224 volunteers from Dalton and the surrounding regions. During the October cleanup, volunteers went to various sites across ... more

Access Areas Damaged By Hurricane Helene Reopen For Public Use
Access Areas Damaged By Hurricane Helene Reopen For Public Use
  • 11/26/2024

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is reopening two access areas on the Nolichucky River in Greene County that were closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Poplar Springs Access ... more

Thanksgiving Meals, Day After Thanksgiving Hikes Offered At Tennessee State Parks
  • 11/22/2024

On Nov. 28, eight Tennessee State Parks will offer Thanksgiving meals, and even more parks will hold Day After Thanksgiving hikes on Nov. 29. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather ... more