On Saturday, May 12th, embark on a relaxing staycation with the Through the Garden Gate tour with the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County. Explore the private gardens and projects of Master Gardeners, all within the confines of east and central Cobb County. Also featured with this event is the Garden Party and Plant Sale, which will include local artisans and growers, children’s crafts, local organizations, and demonstrations. Master Gardeners will be on site at the gardens and the plant sale to answer any questions. Enjoy the unique styles and designs of seven different gardens, each with its own set of challenges and triumphs. Whether you simply want to take in the breathtaking beauty, get inspiration for your own landscape, or learn more about gardening, there’s something for everyone. These gardens will delight the senses and give inspiration and encouragement to gardeners and would-be gardeners alike. All of the gardens will have opportunities for the public to learn ways Master Gardeners save water and will feature drought tolerant plants.

Master Gardeners will be on site providing interpretation and educational opportunities for tour guests. Plant lists and printed educational materials will also be available at each garden.

• This is a rain or shine event that runs from 10am until 5pm on May 12th.
• Advance tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the Cobb County Extension Office beginning March 1st with payment by check or cash. Advance tickets may also be purchased through a downloadable ticket order form at www.cobbmastergardeners.org.
• Tickets can be purchased for $15 on the day of the tour at any of the tour gardens or at the Plant Sale and Garden Party.
• Proceeds from ticket sales go straight back to your local community, benefitting the project gardens supported by the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County.
• All tickets will include garden locations; downloadable directions will be available on www.cobbmastergardeners.org on May 1.
• The Plant Sale and Garden Party will be held at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church at 2663 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30062 from 10am until 4pm. No ticket is required for this event.

For ticket purchases by mail, please address requests to Cobb Extension Office, 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200, Marietta, GA 30060, ATTN: Tour Tickets. If your request is received after May 1st, your tickets may be picked up at the plant sale on the day of the tour.

The mission of the Master Gardeners of Cobb County is to advance the horticultural education of its members and to promote the knowledge, interest, appreciation, and enjoyment of gardening and to extend this knowledge and enjoyment to the members and the public. For more information, visit www.cobbmastergardeners.org or call 770-528-4070.

(Reprinted from the April 2012 issue of EAST COBBER)

Did you attend the 2011 Through the Garden Gate tour? Which was your favorite garden? Click “Chime In” to comment on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!

Don’t miss the Garden Party and Plant Sale – a must for every gardener and their family! The event is free and takes place rain or shine. Tickets for the Garden tour will be available at this location and at each tour garden. “The Garden Party” will be held from 10am until 4pm at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, 2663 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, Georgia, 30062, at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Post Oak Tritt Road in East Cobb.

“This year we have expanded our annual event to include wonderful local artisans and growers in addition to our well known Plant Sale – just in time for Mother’s Day!” says Debbie Abernathy, co-chair for The Master Gardeners Garden Tour.

Shop the festive booths of yard art, birdhouses and feeders, sculpture, photography and much more alongside the plants for sale grown by the Cobb Master Gardeners. Plants include ornamentals, natives, conifers, shrubs, flowering annuals, perennials, and edible plants. This free event also includes Monarchs Over Georgia, the Plant Doctor Booth, Bee Keepers and terrific demonstrations by Cobb Master Gardeners. The Jean and Elwood Wright Environmental Center is adjacent to the Garden Party location and will be open for tours. The CrossRoads Community Garden is also on the property for you to browse and learn about vegetable gardening.

Our own Cobb Master Gardeners will help with a children’s craft at 11am and 2pm, creating a timely Mother’s Day gift. There will be face painting and a complimentary drink and snack for children under 10. Craft participants should be 10 and under and accompanied by an adult. Each session will be limited to 20 and there will be a $5 fee for materials.

Children’s snack and beverage compliments of RaceTrac. Garden Party supplies compliments of E. Smith Heating and Air Conditioning.

(Reprinted from the April 2012 issue of EAST COBBER.)