Those who love creating beauty in their yards can explore a range of topics – from fairy gardens to towering trees – to help them do just that during next month’s return of Milton’s gardening series.

Once again, the North Fulton Master Gardeners is organizing these free educational opportunities as part of its mission to spread wisdom, excitement, and, yes, natural beauty around our area. The City is happy to support them in line with our Plant! Milton initiative, in part by providing spaces and telling the public what’s being offered.

Three classes will take place on successive Tuesday nights, each beginning with general discussion before proceeding into a pair of expert presentations. There’s no cost for any of them, though people should register in advance (using the links specific to each class). The classes are: 

• Tuesday October 1, at 7 p.m. in City Hall's Council Chambers (2006 Heritage Walk): Former schoolteacher Marty Thomas will discuss about how to create fairy gardens that use small plants, tiny structures and furniture, rocks and more to tell story during her talk on FABULOUS FALL FAIRY GARDENS.

   

  She’ll be followed by pruning guru Rick Smith, who has been featured on PBS and Ashley Frasca’s “Green and Growing” WSB Radio program. During PRUNING HERE AND NOW, Smith will talk about critical factors in pruning and fertilizing your shrubs.

  The sign-up link for the October 1 class is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-garden-mini-seminars-fairy-gardens-pruning-tickets-989603078447.

   

• Tuesday, October 8, at 7 p.m. at Milton City Park and Preserve (1785 Dinsmore Road): City of Milton Arborist Sandra Dewitt will talk trees – from what species makes the most sense to you, where to place them, and how to keep them thriving – in KEEPING THE TREE IN THE GROUND.

   

  WILD ABOUT WILDFLOWERS is the title of the next topic, in which fellow Master Gardeners Judy Peacock and Carole MacMullan on amazing array of wildflowers you might see around Georgia, especially in the spring

  The sign-up link for the October 8 class is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-garden-mini-seminars-know-your-trees-and-take-a-wildflower-walk-tickets-1002104671047.

   

• Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. at Milton City Park and Preserve (1785 Dinsmore Road): Kelly Mogelgaard will reflect on her 30 years’ experience in gardening and running a landscaping company – with a focus on plant selection and enjoying the experience – during her WHAT I WISH I KNEW presentation.

GARDENS OF CHARM is the title of this series’ last talk led by North Fulton Master Gardener Sandra Shave. She’ll showcase unique landscaping from local gardens, giving attendees ideas and inspirations for what they can create in their own yards.

The sign-up link for the October 15 class is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-garden-mini-seminars-a-gardeners-journey-charming-gardens-tickets-1002123968767.

For information on other events, educational opportunities, as well as gardening basics, check out the North Fulton Master Gardeners webpage at https://nfmg.net/wp/. And you can dive into Plant! Milton – the City program to engage, educate, and encourage the planting and proper care for trees – at www.miltonga.gov/PlantMilton.