Fall in the Gardens: Plant Sale and Lecture Series
Join us for Fall in the Gardens on October 3-4 here at UT Gardens, Jackson! We have an exciting lineup of talented speakers, local vendors, educational tours and so much more! This annual event is always free, so be sure to come out for both days:
- Thursday, October 3, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Enjoy lectures from guest speakers Dr. Jared Barnes, horticulture associate professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Shalena Durkot, horticulturist with UT Gardens, Crossville. Attendees can also participate in tours of the gardens and AgResearch Center, enjoy local vendors and food trucks, and partake in the first day of the Fall Plant Sale. The community is also invited to a community potluck dinner hosted by Madison County Master Gardeners that evening!
- Friday, October 4, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Shop the second day of the Fall Plant Sale! The full plant list is scheduled to be released by September 26.
Event Schedule
Thursday, October 3: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
8:45 a.m. – Master Gardeners begin selling coffee and breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Walking tour of UT Gardens, Jackson (Meet in the main parking lot)
10:30 a.m. – Guest lecture – Shalena Durkot (UT Gardens Coordinator, Crossville)
DISCOVER THE PLATEAU
Join Shalena, the Coordinator for our sister garden in Crossville, to learn about the history, evolution, and challenges of growing plants on the Cumberland Plateau.
11:30 a.m. – Lunch (Food trucks will be onsite)
12:30 p.m. – Guest lecture – Dr. Jared Barnes (Stephen F. Austin State University)
THE WILD SOUTH: NATURALISTIC PLANTING AND ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
Discover the power of ecological principles in crafting sustainable, resilient gardens suited to the Southern landscape. This talk will guide you through site assessment, understanding local ecology, and designing with nature in mind. Learn how to implement naturalistic planting strategies that enhance biodiversity and withstand regional challenges. Whether you’re a novice or expert, this session offers insights for creating vibrant, eco-friendly spaces.
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Fall Plant Sale
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Wagon tours of AgResearch Center
4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 p.m. – Demonstrations by Madison County Master Gardeners (see below)
Kokedama Creation with Madison County Horticulture Extension Agent Mary Glenys Espey – Learn the art of kokedama, a beautiful Japanese gardening technique that transforms plants into stunning moss-covered living sculptures.
Nature Printing with Madison County Master Gardener Juanita Barrow – Join us as we explore the beautiful designs of nature through the creation of prints using natural objects like leaves and flowers from our gardens.
5:00 p.m. – Walking tour of UT Gardens, Jackson (Meet in the main parking lot)
6:30 p.m. – Guest lecture – Dr. Jared Barnes (Stephen F. Austin State University)
PLANT EXTROVERTS! WONDERFUL WOODIES AND PRAISEWORTHY PERENNIALS
We all can recognize plants with “extroverted personalities.” They stop us dead in our tracks, they are hot items in the garden center, and they bring flavor and spice to landscapes like few other plants can. Want to meet a few more?!? Then come to this session where Jared Barnes will introduce you to woodies and perennials that come to life through their incredible traits and leave a lasting first impression. Whether its color, form, bloom, foliage, fragrance, or a whole host of other noteworthy attributes, these hardy characters are sure to stand out in your landscape!
6:30 p.m. – Dinner provided by Madison County Master Gardeners
Friday, October 4: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Fall Plant Sale (Full plant list will be released by September 26)