In the Garden

The is a reprint from a monthly feature in The Walton Tribune by the Walton County Master Gardeners about gardening using the research and resources of UGA Extension. They would love to hear from you, so follow them on FB/IG @cultivatewaltonga.

Each spring and fall, we offer free garden talks based on topics you have requested. This fall, we have an exciting lineup of talks beginning the week after Labor Day. Each week, we present the same talk at three different locations in Walton County:

•Mondays: 2-3 p.m. at O’Kelley Memorial Library in Loganville
•Tuesdays: 4-5 p.m. at W.H. Stanton Memorial Library in Social Circle
•Wednesdays: 2-3 p.m. at the Education Room, Walton County Extension Office, 1258 Criswell Road near Criswell Park.

Here’s a rundown of our upcoming talks. We hope you can join us!

Exploring Succulents: Sept. 11-13
We will kick off our series with Master Gardener Sheri Ford, who will provide tips on using succulents to create beautiful outdoor gardens for your home or patio. Succulents come in various shapes, colors, sizes, and textures. Their resilience and low maintenance make them ideal for both seasoned gardeners and beginners. Sheri will guide you on watering, maintaining, and propagating succulents, demonstrating how they can be a rewarding and low-maintenance way to add greenery to your home or garden.

Putting Your Garden to Bed for the Winter: September 18-20
The following week, join Master Gardener Peggy Jones as she discusses preparing your garden for winter. October is the time to “put your garden to bed,” performing clean-up tasks such as cutting back perennials, pulling up spent vegetables and annuals, and raking leaves. Peggy will also cover how to protect tender bulbs and perennials to ensure they survive the winter and return healthier and more productive in the spring.

Fall is the Best Time to Plant: Sept. 25-27
Master Gardener Carol Fitzpatrick will explain why fall is the ideal time to plant. The combination of warm soil and cooler weather creates perfect conditions for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. Carol will share tips on enhancing your fall landscape and planting bulbs, ensuring your garden thrives in the coming year.

Hügelkultur An Ancient Way to Garden: Oct. 2-4
Elevate your gardening with Master Gardener Julie Cooper’s talk on Hügelkultur. This centuries-old method involves creating raised garden beds from rotten logs and plant debris, topped with compost and soil. Julie’s passion for organic gardening will inspire you to adopt this sustainable gardening technique.

Powerhouse Sun Perennials: October 9-11
Conclude our fall series with Master Gardener Janet Bones, who will share her expertise on sun perennials. Janet’s team has beautified many gardens and community areas in Walton County. Learn about her favorite perennials and where to use them in your garden to achieve stunning results.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our talks in Walton County this fall. Bring your questions and ideas for future topics. We enjoy meeting each of you and hearing about your gardening experiences. Don’t forget to visit our booth at the Monroe Market on Saturdays to share your summer gardening stories.

Stay Cool and See you in the Garden!

The Georgia Master Gardener Exension Volunteer Program, through Walton County UGA Extension, trains and certifies participants in home horticulture and gardening. These volunteers, led by our extension agent Joel Burnsed, educate the public on environmental benefits and horticultural projects that enhance the community. Currently, we maintain two gardens in Walton County: the Pollinator Sanctuary Garden at Friendship Park in Social Circle, and the Vegetable Garden at Walton County Senior Center. We are excited to start work on an Experiential Learning Garden at our extension office for demonstrations and workshops. Visit us at 1258 Criswell Road in Monroe. Walton County UGA Extension is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability Institution. Join Walton Master Gardeners for free fall garden talks in Walton County