Get ready for the garden and patio show
By By Steve Strong / area horticulture agent
March 5, 2003
The Lauderdale County Agri-Center is the site for this year's annual garden and patio show on Saturday, March 15.
The Meridian Home Builders and Master Gardener Expo, an all-day event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers a range of educational and entertaining programs for the entire family.
Exhibitors will display home and garden equipment and information, and local experts will be available to answer questions. Vendors are allowed to sell to the public, and several nursery booths will be stocked with the newest spring plants.
Master Gardener volunteers are helping the MSU Extension Service co-host the garden show, and will have an information booth set up for horticulture publications and displays. Master Gardeners will present special gardening seminars during the show including antique roses, herb gardening, soil preparation, lawn care and landscaping tips.
Home improvement workshops will be conducted throughout the day, covering topics like roofing, insulation and flooring.
Pennington Seed Company is sponsoring a soil testing booth at the show, so be sure to bring your garden dirt by for a free pH test. Homeowners with diseased or pest-ridden plants can also bring them by the Extension Service booth for free diagnosis.
You don't want to miss the bevy of valuable door prizes being given away, and there's even special entertainment this year. Jimmie Rodgers reincarnated as Britt Gully will perform with his Singing Brakemen at 3 p.m.
The free performance is an early promotion for the Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, coming up May 7-10 in Meridian.
Radio personalities Art Matthews and Al Brown from WZKR 103.3 FM will host the musical portion of the program, which will round out the afternoon festivities. Food vendors will be serving at the show, and admission is $3 for adults.
For more information on the Meridian Garden and Patio Show, contact Rob Seal at the Agri-Center at 482-8498. The Agri-Center is on Highway 19 South at the Highway 45 bypass. Call the MSU Extension office at 482-9764 to check on other educational events.
Don't forget about the big two-day Garden Show event happening in Jackson this weekend, March 8-9. The event is held at the fairgrounds on Interstate 55 north, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
For the latest information on spring gardening tips, check out the MSU Extension Service Web site at www.msucares.com. The online resource provides timely recommendations on all kinds of garden plants, from variety selection to care and maintenance.
