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Published on 07/31/08

Fall brings workshop series to Griffin

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

In September, a series of one-day gardening workshops on how to grow, use and display annuals, perennials, herbs and medicinal plants and much more will be offered at the University of Georgia campus in Griffin, Ga.

Participants will get hands-on instructions about container gardens, seed and vegetative propagation, hobby greenhouses, healing gardens, aromatherapy, said Bob Westerfield, a horticulturist with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The first workshop will be Sept. 12. It will focus on fabulous containers and include ways to create a mobile garden, an outdoor floral arrangement or a living sculpture using annual, perennial, succulent, tropical, herb, vegetable and other plants.

The second workshop will be Sept. 19 and focus on herbs. From herbs like thyme and sage to medicinal plants like echinacea, goldenseal and St. John’s wort, this class will explore the history, biology, chemistry and uses of commonly found herbs. CAES experts will show how to grow, harvest, preserve and blend herbs to make flavorings, teas, salves and oils.

The final workshop will be Sept. 26 and focus on plant propagation and hobby greenhouses. The class will cover basic plant propagation to methods and techniques in rooting perennials and woody plants. Participants will propagate ornamentals that are Georgia Gold Medal winners. They’ll learn about greenhouse structures, irrigation, temperature control and lighting, too.

Registration for each individual workshop is $105 and must be received by Sept. 5. A discounted fee of $290 will cover all three workshops. For more information, call (770) 228-7220.

Sharon Dowdy is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Experts/Sources:
Bob Westerfield
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