This one’s from our calendar listings and a bit more to follow. Saturday should be fabulous for the Cobb Master Gardeners Spring Tour, which is being held at several locations around East Cobb, including the new Hyde Farm Community Garden.
The tour lasts from 10-5, and on-site tickets will cost $20. The sites can be visited in any order:
Experience how art meets science at six (6) fabulous gardens in East Cobb! This year’s lineup features four private gardens, the newly constructed Community Garden at Hyde Farm and the gardens at Murdock Elementary School.
Teams of Master Gardeners will be on hand to educate gardeners young and old on plant selection, soil preparation, and best practices that were learned and applied over the years thanks to their UGA training and continuing education. And this year, we want to engage all of your senses with music, art, photography and food preparation as you wander through.
Admission is free for children 17 and under.
And now for the specifics of each location, and what you’ll find when you get there:
Jazz It Up At Joe’s, The Washington Garden (2192 Deep Woods Way)
From tots to teens to empty nest, Master Gardener Joe Washington’s garden of 34 years has evolved. The sound of soft jazz is the perfect match for a stroll from the sunny front to the shady back – the perfect spot to kick back and relax! A variety of native and non-native plants complement the hardscape features. Joe has enjoyed years of designing and completing his garden projects with an eye toward low maintenance and simplicity of care. As a special treat, visitors “of a certain age” will learn that you are never too old to garden if you adopt some helpful adaptive gardening tools and techniques.
Seed What It’s All About at Murdock Elementary School (2320 Murdock Road)
Kindergarteners and First Graders enhance their science education at Murdock outside by planting a summer vegetable garden entirely from seeds and harvesting the vegetables in the fall! Students and staff will be on-hand to demonstrate how seamlessly the indoor classroom and outdoors work together to enrich their educational programs. And, visitors will learn to hone their garden skills with several hands-on demonstrations including proper pruning techniques from the Master Gardeners. Don’t be late for class!
Farm to Table, Hyde Farm Community Garden (726 Hyde Road)
There is no better place to prepare and taste your veggies than right on the farm! And there is no better place for growing them than at the historic Hyde Farm property in East Cobb. The Community Garden at Hyde Farm was opened for “bed renters” in late 2017. The newest project of the Cobb Master Gardeners, the garden features 50, 4’ x 8’ raised beds and a large pollinator garden. Visitors will not only experience how a community garden works, but learn the health benefits of growing and preparing the harvest in the adjacent kitchen. Come on in!
On the Waterfront, The Lok Garden (1811 Baldwin Farms Drive)
Twenty years ago, the lakeside garden of Master Gardener Maureen Lok and her husband, Jan Michael, was a “boring” mix of lawn, junipers, and “meatball shrubs.” No traces remain. Today, they are surrounded by a healthy assortment of native and favorite trees and perennials. Their vision is a peaceful, shady retreat for the family to enjoy and for flora and fauna to flourish. Their garden is a certified Wildlife Habitat. Like many lots in Cobb County, steep slopes and erosion have presented drainage and gardening challenges. Learn how they have redesigned the garden to meet those challenges and oh yes, take in that view!
Thanks for the Memories, The Young Garden (4066 Sweat Creek Cove)
Pat and Tom Young’s garden is affectionately known as “Waldo Gardens.” It bears the name of a special kitty that passed not long before they built and moved into their home in 2007. Their garden is a living album of people, pets, and plants loved. The Youngs painstakingly restored the topsoil removed during construction and blended the formal front yard into the steep, natural, yet stunning back which is also certified Wildlife Habitat. Guests will enjoy discovering the garden’s special features and perhaps get a glimpse of the resident breeding hawks.
The Artful Gardener, The Hebert Garden (4145 Jefferson Township Parkway)
Split rail and picket fences, colonial style homes, and large lots welcome you to the enclave of Jefferson Township. Master Gardener and former art educator Jayne Hebert took full advantage of all her yard has to offer. The garden features a wide variety of flowering perennials, parterre raised beds, grape vines, blueberries, fruit and nut trees, and more, all set against a lovely backdrop of the home and 100-year-old barn. Her artistic eye is apparent as you will discover artfully integrated garden antiques with flea market finds. Visitors will especially appreciate her handmade deer fencing.
More information and a tour map can be found here.
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