Blooming In Nashville HSMT Magazine - Magazine - Page 64
Make Plans To Attend
2026 FALL GARDENER’S FESTIVAL
More than 1,400 gardening enthusiasts are expected
for the event
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee
Institute of Agriculture is once again excited to
present a fun and informative event that can help
gardeners of all skill levels enjoy the fruits of their
outdoor spaces.
The UT Gardens, Crossville, in collaboration with
the Cumberland County Master Gardeners, will
host the day-long event at Plateau AgResearch
and Education Center. The event includes 昀椀fteen
seminars and educational exhibits designed to help
even the most inexperienced learn more about
gardening. This free event is scheduled from 9 a.m.
to 3 p.m. CDT, with registration beginning at 8 a.m.
for those not pre-registered. You can avoid delays at
the gate by registering early online at tiny.utk.edu/
FGF2026 or by visiting the Cumberland County
Master Gardeners website: ccmga.org. Online
registration is encouraged but not required.
The 15 scheduled tent presentations include:
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Butter昀氀ies and How to Attract Them to Your
Garden
Bloom After Bloom: The Art of Seasonal
Succession
Herbs: Creative Culinary Companions
Bog Gardening with Pitcher Plants
Beekeeping: To Bee or Not To Bee
Gardening with Conifers
Home Hydroponics
Garden Pest Control
Social Media and Gardening Trends
Tennessee Lawns and Their Alternatives
Fruit Tree Pruning Concepts and Practices
Managing Disease in Home Fruit and Vegetables
TN Naturescapes: Crafting a Biodiverse
Landscape
Defects and Dysfunction in Trees: When to Call
an Arborist
Feeding the Veggies that Feed Us: Water and
Nutrients in the Garden
In addition to the scheduled presentations, UT
Extension will also host an Ask-the-Expert tent with
plant experts, entomologists, and plant pathologists
on hand to help visitors with their questions. Feel
free to bring a sample sealed in a plastic bag for the
experts to examine.
Visitors can also choose to see the center’s grounds
on a tractor-drawn wagon tour or enjoy garden and
craft vendors selling their wares at a trade show. Food
vendors will be onsite as well. The Fall Gardeners’
Festival is free to attend, and food is available for
purchase. The Plateau AgResearch and Education
Center is located at 320 Experiment Station Road
in Crossville, and you can contact the center at
931-484-0034 or email utgardenscrossville@utk.
edu for information about accessibility. Visit online
at plateau.tennessee.edu to learn more about the
center’s work and other public events.
The UT Gardens, Crossville, one of three locations of
the statewide State Botanical Garden of Tennessee, is
located at the UT Plateau AgResearch and Education
Center. Originally established in 2005 as the Plateau
Discovery Gardens, this space has grown into a
collaborative demonstration garden showcasing
sustainable gardening practices. It is maintained by
the Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, UT
Extension Cumberland County, and Cumberland
County Master Gardeners. Open year-round during
daylight hours and free to the public, the gardens
o昀昀er educational programs and hands-on classes
throughout the year.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture,
UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch,
and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission
of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute
touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to
Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.
Story: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
Photo: Behzad Ghaffarian
