Annual Plant Sale

Congratulations on a wonderful 2025 Plant Sale! Many thanks to all who played a role in making our largest annual fundraiser a great success, especially Project Lead Becky Mills Juanes.

Come on out to our After Plant Sale Event on Saturday, May 24 from 8am until 2pm and help us clear the greenhouse!

Here are some photos from the event...

Checking in With Our Project Leads

At the Ridgetop Garden, Larry Lee has planted new flowers and spread fresh mulch.

Jennie Justice reports that snapdragons have been planted in the cut flower garden at Highland Rim, and zinnias, sunflowers, and celosia will be planted soon. In the Monarch Waystation, the borage and hardy hibiscus are coming along nicely.

Karen House checked in to let us know about White House Public Library and their mascot, Larry the Lizard. After unsuccessfully trying to install a lizard using succulents, they opted to let the kids paint landscape rocks and install him in this manner. The kids love it! 

The RCMGA was also approached to design, install, and maintain the Sherry Eden Reading Garden in honor of all the work she has done in support of the White House Library. The entire space was re-imagined and is now a peaceful, inviting garden space for all to enjoy. 

Did you know...

During a 1-inch rainfall, more than 27,000 gallons of water falls on a single acre of land!

Some of that rainwater can be captured and used in your garden, reducing both your consumption of treated water as well as your water bill. Creating a rain barrel system for your home can be an easy and inexpensive project with a big payoff. A great place to start learning about the benefits of rain barrels -- including directions on how to make your own, installation, and maintenance -- is UT Publication W276.

Thankfully, it is legal to harvest rainwater in Tennessee. In fact, most agencies in the state encourage the practice. It is worth mentioning, however, that harvesting rainwater is illegal in a couple states and restricted in several more. Growing up in California, it was illegal for my husband's family to collect rainwater to help their backyard garden survive frequent droughts. That has since changed, thanks to the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. The practice may also be forbidden by some HOAs. Therefore, it is always best to check the laws and regulations where you live.

Are you curious how much water falls in your yard during a springtime storm? Check out this Rainfall Calculator from the United States Geological Survey.

UT Hort has been hosting the Home Food Crops Lunch & Learn Webinar Series on Tuesdays in May. On May 13, the topic was Media and Materials/Small Space Herb Options. During the webinar, they introduced some helpful, new publications. Publication W 1225 A, Selecting Culinary Herbs for Tennessee Gardens, introduces the reader to the world of herbs and many of the varieties that are well suited for culivation within our state. Publication W 1225 B, Growing Culinary Herbs in Tennessee Gardens, expands on the topic, covering best practices in herb production for both in-ground and container gardens. Additional topics such as pest and disease management, harvesting, and storage are also covered.

Show off your favorite native by submitting a photo and description here! Your native could become part of the 2025 Tennessee Smart Yards Photo Map!

Recipe Corner

It won't be long now until you're harvesting from your garden. If you find yourself with an excess of veggies, try this vegetable soup recipe from Michelle Hollingsworth!

It's tour time in Tennessee! The 2025 UT Extension Master Gardener regional tours kicked off with the Central Region tour on May 16. The Eastern and Western Region tours are coming up in June. Check out the full schedules and register... here!