UGA Research and Education Garden Events

CALLING ALL SCARECROWS!! The Garden will be hosting Scarecrows in the Garden October 4-31, 2021. Watch for more information on entering a scarecrow in this year's event.

Looking for a great place for a picnic lunch? Come to the Garden where we have a number of picnic tables in shaded areas. Enjoy lunch and take a stroll in the Demonstration Theme Gardens Area.

Our Iris Collection in the Garden is in full bloom. Come out and enjoy. The Garden is open to visitors from 8 AM to 5 PM week days. [Thanks to the Flint River Iris Society for their contributions to and care of our collection.]

Dr. Mark Czarnota of the Department of Horticulture has over 5,000 daffodils (numerous varieties) planted. He is determining which ones grow best in our area with plans to cross some of the better performers. THIS RESEARCH PLOT IS NOT IN THE GARDEN, but Dr. Czarnota has a number of research studies in the Garden.

Visit MonarchParasites.org for more information. Follow Georgia Pollinator Census on FB.

UGA's Becky Griffin offers these suggestions of attracting insect herbivores, including some remarkable caterpillars, to your garden.

Good news! Phil saw his shadow today! That gives us 6 MORE WEEKS TO PLAN OUR POLLINATOR GARDENS. When planning your pollinator garden choose plants that bloom at different times of the year. This will allow you to keep pollinators buzzing around from spring through fall. The Center for Urban Agriculture website is a great place to start with your planning. When you are deciding which plants to pick remember to pick a couple that bloom early spring, a few that bloom in the summer, and a few that bloom in the fall. This will ensure that you attract pollinators early and continue attracting them throughout the year. The link https://ugaurbanag.com/pollinator-plant-list/ provides a convenient plant list to help you when selecting plants.

Well, Zeta blew through on Thursday evening to "put the kabash" on many of our displays. Friday was to be the last day of our 13th Annual Scarecrows in the Garden, anyway. And, it wouldn't be a scarecrow event at the Garden without rain and wind at least once during the event. We thank all those who sponsored a scarecrow display this year. Here are pictures of four that we have not yet featured here on FB. Gourgeous Sally & Farmer Gourdy (left) greeted all visitors as th...ey arrived. This couple was created and sponsored by Troy Tatum of the Flint River Gourders and the Georgia Gourd Society. Troy also created Flash Gourdon (upper right). Southern Crescent Technical College sponsored Tiger (middle right), who is the mascot of SCTC. And, Carol Gillespie decorated the teahouse in the Asian Garden with a nice fall seasonal display (lower right). See more

Thanks to UGA Griffin for sponsoring scarecrow displays for the Annual Scarecrows in the Garden. Ken and Kelly Gardner (left) were created by the Turfgrass Research & Education Center. They remind us that turfgrass is a healthy hobby and serves as an environmental solution. Fred Cowart (upper right) shows the use of PPE and cleansers in protecting our personal and public health in the workplace during the pandemic. The Horticulture and Entomology departments headquartered in the Cowart Building created this display. Forrest Limbhopper (lower right) is sponsored by the Georgia Center for Education which, among other research and educational programs, offers programs in chainsaw safety.

Gourdy, the Orange-Breasted Gourdila, is constructed almost entirely of gourds! Only his/her legs are not gourds (PVC). Troy Tatum of the Flint River Gourders and the Georgia Gourd Society created this display and two others in our 13th Annual Scarecrows on the Garden. Gourdy and our other scarecrows are on display through Friday, October 30th. The Garden is open to visitors from 8 AM to 5 PM, and our address is 129 W. Ellis Road, Griffin. Come on out and enjoy!

Holly Gallagher of the Flint River Gourders created "Follow the Spider" from gourds. Holly is apparently a great fan of Harry Potter as this is from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Thank you, Holly and the Flint River Gourders for your support of the Garden throughout the year. Remember! This is the last week to see the Scarecrows in the Garden this year. They will be departing after Friday. You may visit the Garden weekdays this week between 8 AM and 5 PM. We are at 129 W. Ellis Road in Griffin.

Griffin Power created #takingabreak for the Annual Scarecrows in the Garden. We thank our Griffin Power crews and staff for their service to our community. Come on out to the Garden to see #takingabreak and the other scarecrow displays before this annual event ends next Friday, October 30th. The Garden is located at 129 W. Ellis Road in Griffin and is open to visitors 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.

The Flower Pot Ladies have returned to Scarecrows in the Garden this year to promote their message that October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These lovely ladies were created from clay pots, rope, paint, and lots of creativity. (You may notice that another Lady joined to make it a trio and all three grew some mums since our first posting of this display.) Carol Gillespie, another of our fantastic and loyal volunteers at the Garden, created this display. Come on out to the Garden (129 W. Ellis Road, Griffin) to visit the Flower Pot Ladies and the other scarecrows on display during our 13th Annual Scarecrows in the Garden through October 30th. The Garden is open to visitors on weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM.