The North Fulton Master Gardeners Announce Fall 2019 Gardening Lecture Series in Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Alpharetta

The North Fulton Master Gardeners with the UGA Cooperative Extension in Fulton County are conducting a series of free classes for homeowners on selected weekday evenings. Each class emphasizes practical activities, at the time of year that is best suited for that activity, so you can enjoy your property with reasonable effort and cost. Classes are offered in Sandy Springs, Roswell, and Alpharetta at the following locations:

  • Lost Corner Preserve Cottage, 7300 Brandon Mill Rd, Sandy Springs, GA
  • Bill Johnson Community Activity Building, Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA
  • Alpharetta: Public Works Department, 1790 Hembree Rd, Alpharetta, GA
  • Alpharetta: City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Multi-purpose room, Alpharetta, GA
  • Alpharetta Rucker Road Park and Farm, 860 Rucker Road, Alpharetta, GA

Registration:

Create a Fall Vegetable Garden

Sandy Springs: Monday, August 26 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, August 27 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Alpharetta: Saturday, August 24 from 9:30 to 11:00 AM – Alpharetta Rucker Road Park and Farm

Our extended growing season allows us to take advantage of three seasons of vegetable gardening.  If you already have a garden, you can extend its productivity through Fall and Winter. If you are just beginning, you can learn how to get started without working in the heat of summer. Autumn’s mild temperatures create perfect growing conditions for cool-season crops, such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli and carrots. This class will cover fall season crops, sustainable gardening techniques, direct seeding and transplanting, frost protection, and preparing the garden for winter.

Lawn Care for Fall and Winter

Sandy Springs: Monday, September 9 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, September 10 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Alpharetta: Wednesday, September 11 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Alpharetta Public Works Department

To have a beautiful lawn next year, you need to start now, in the fall. Early fall is the only effective time of year to reseed or plant cool-season grass (tall fescue). If you have a warm-season grass (e.g. Bermuda, Zoysia), you need to take steps to prevent winter weed grasses from taking over. This class will cover warm-season vs cool-season grasses, importance of soil testing and adjusting pH, and fall/winter activities for each type of grass (fertilizing, watering and weed prevention). Learn the Top Ten Lawn Care Mistakes.

Gardening in the Shade

Sandy Springs: Monday, September 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, September 24 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Alpharetta: Wednesday, September 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Alpharetta Public Works Department

As your trees mature, you may find more of your property is shaded and some of your plants and lawn may not be doing as well. This class will explain the different types of shade (partial, full and dry) and how to successfully work with each. We will then discuss the various types of trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers you should consider.

Composting at Home

Sandy Springs: Monday, October 7 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, October 8 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Alpharetta: Wednesday, October 9 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Alpharetta Public Works Department

Compost consists of partially decomposed organic matter that is essential for healthy soil but is normally missing in our red clay. Learn how you can create your own compost from commonly available materials. This class will cover the major steps involved, required ingredients, hot vs cold composting, various methods you can use and additional considerations. And, learn about Vermiculture compost.

All About Bulbs

Sandy Springs: Monday, October 14 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, October 15 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Early spring-flowering bulbs add color and interest after the long winter. November and December are the best times to plant daffodils in Georgia. We will discuss bed preparation, the importance of drainage, planting and maintenance. While we will concentrate on daffodils, we will also cover other bulbs that should be planted in spring and summer for additional interest.

Fall in Georgia – The Best Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs

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Sandy Springs: Monday, October 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, October 29 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Alpharetta: Wednesday, October 30 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Alpharetta City Hall

While many of us get energized to improve our yards and gardens in the spring, fall is the best time in Georgia to plant shrubs and trees. Most shrubs and trees will do better when they have the opportunity to get established over the winter. This class will cover planting trees, preparing the soil for ornamentals, selecting shrubs for the desired location, planting/moving shrubs, and mulching, watering and fertilizing.

Gardens of the North Fulton Master Gardeners: Finding Gardening Inspiration Through Shared Ideas

Sandy Springs: Monday, November 4 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Lost Corner Preserve Cottage

Roswell: Tuesday, November 5 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Bill Johnson Community Center

Alpharetta: Wednesday, November 6 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM – Alpharetta City Hall

This NEW class showcases North Fulton Master Gardeners’ gardens providing gardeners with ideas and inspiration that they can bring to their own home garden. The class is not a detailed “how-to” but an overview of the possible. The class will demonstrate that gardening is as varied as your individual creativity and the fun is in the discovery, the failures, and the success.

About North Fulton Master Gardeners:

Our mission is to provide horticultural education, service and inspiration in the North Fulton community. We are pleased to once again partner with historic Bulloch Hall and the 2020 Roswell Azalea Festival in bringing Garden Faire to the community. Join us Saturday, April 25, 2020, 9 am to 4 pm for Garden Faire 2020 at Bulloch Hall. FREE. Favorite Pass Along plants, fleatique vintage goods, garden vendors, garden art, pottery, craft vendors, garden tools, children’s activities, bake sale and food vendors. Rain or shine. Historic Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Ave, Roswell, GA 30075. Proceeds support the North Fulton community gardening classes and other local North Fulton Master Garden projects. Check out Garden Faire on Facebook, Twitter, and the web.

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