Those who are tired of cold gray skies and are dreaming of spring should make plans to attend “Garden Thyme” on Saturday, Jan. 28, where the focus will be on flowers and gardening.
“Garden Thyme” is an annual conference presented to the community by the Columbia County Master Gardeners. This year’s conference will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1823 E. North in Magnolia across from Wal-Mart. Registration at the door will be held 8:15-9 a.m. Also during that time, participants may visit with vendors, sample some of the light refreshments, and visit with friends.
Speakers will include Lin Johnson and Yvonne Becker, Garland County Master Gardeners who are members of the Arkansas Master Gardeners Speakers Bureau. Also on the slate is Dr. Lelia Scott Kelly, Consumer Horticulture Specialist for the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center.
Dr. Kelly is responsible for providing statewide leadership in a comprehensive horticulture program serving industry and consumers. Her duties include providing statewide leadership to the Master Gardener and Junior Master Gardener programs and serving as a resource to county extension agents. She has her MS and Ph.D in horticulture from Mississippi State and has worked for Extension for 13 years.
She authors numerous Extension publications and conducts short courses, workshops, and Master Gardener programs statewide. She is a regular contributor to Mississippi Gardener magazine and also contributes to newspapers and other garden publications. She is a frequent speaker at garden events in the Southeast.
Dr. Kelly’s topic for “Garden Thyme” is “Landscaping with Perennials.” The talk will cover how to incorporate them into the landscape, as well as recommended plants.
Johnson and Becker will be discussing backyard greenhouses.
Registration for the conference is $10. Early registration can be sent to Attn: Garden Thyme Registration, 271 Timberlane, Magnolia, Ark. 71753. For more information, call (870) 234-6793.