As master gardeners, it’s their job to encourage more digging in the dirt by offering their expert advice to others whenever asked.
Master gardeners like Mary Smith and Ellen Green said they enjoy that interaction with gardeners new and old who may need a few planting pointers. Green said a lot of the conversations start with “We just moved here ...” and most are sure to bring up East Tennessee’s red clay soil.
There are 100 master gardeners in Blount County who have received months of training to help with such quandaries. And on Saturday, April 13, they will combine for the annual Master Gardeners Plant Show and Sale, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day at the office of Blount County Extension at 1219 McArthur Road, Maryville. This complex is the Blount County Operations Center.
Plenty of these gardening experts will be on hand. The plants in the sale have been grown in the master gardeners’ own private gardens. That gives buyers a definite advantage, Green and Smith said.
“Because these plants have been growing in a private garden, they will probably grown in your garden,” Green predicted. “It’s not like an exotic being grown in a big store. It may look pretty, but it won’t grow in Tennessee.”
Perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetable starter plants, a variety of trees and shrubs will be for sale on Saturday at lower prices than most retail stores. Smith is one of those who moved here from the Pacific Northwest and said while the climate zone may be similar, the dirt certainly isn’t. She has learned what grows well in her new East Tennessee home and can’t wait to meet people at the sale.
“I retired and wanted to do more gardening,” Smith said. “I got that from my grandmother like a lot of others have.”
She grows a variety of hostas and shrubs. Perennials are also her favorite.
In addition to the plants for sale, there is a back porch where shoppers can pick up some Mothers Day gifts, some already wrapped, Smith said. With the seed boxes, gardeners can grow their own bouquets, she said.
Green serves as president of the Master Gardeners. She grows peonies and likes to experiment with new plants in her mailbox garden area. If they thrive, she moves them to a permanent place in her yard. Taking up more yard space leaves less for mowing, she explained.
“I am not a houseplant person,” Green said. “I don’t want to think about how many I have killed. But I do OK with perennials and that kind of thing.”
She also grows herbs like oregano and thyme.
The money raised at the sale goes to support community projects, including the Shakespeare Garden at the Blount County Public Library and the library’s seed catalog. Those with library cards are able to get free seeds from there to plant.
Smith said shoppers might want to come early for the best selection. She said in years past, people have lined up an hour before opening.
With the expertise that’s going to be on hand and the great prices on an abundance of plants, there really isn’t any reason not to try gardening, Green said.
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