OXFORD, Miss. – The Master Gardeners of Oxford and Lafayette County launch their annual spring lecture series March 25 at the University of Mississippi Museum.
The overall theme for this year’s series is “Over the Rainbow.” Each brown bag lunch event starts at noon Thursdays through April 22 in the Lawrence Gallery. All lectures are free to the public.
“We are thrilled to have five experts to speak at the Spring Lecture Series,” said Anna Haller of the Master Gardeners. “These individuals are known for their knowledge and expertise far beyond Oxford and Mississippi. They are the ‘rock stars’ of the gardening world.”
“The Master Gardener lecture series is one of the museum’s most popular productions,” said William Pittman Andrews, museum director. “It’s also a great opportunity to partner with a wonderful, local group like the Master Gardeners of Oxford and Lafayette County, and a chance to highlight gardening as an art form.”
Scheduled topics and presenters include:
– March 25: “Green Grows the Grass: Growing It Green Without Spending Too Much Green.” Kerry Page, sports turf manager at the FNC Park at Oxford-Lafayette Fields, is the speaker.
– April 1: “Roses are Red, Violets are Blue: You Too Can Grow Roses in Mississippi.” Pamela Collins, assistant research professor in the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences and director of gardens at Mississippi State University, discusses growing roses in the state.
– April 8: “Cherry Pink, Apple Blossom White and Those Autumn Leaves of Red and Gold: How to Have Colorful Flowering Trees and Shrubs Throughout the Year.” Jeff McManus, UM director of landscape services and airport/golf course operations, discusses how he keeps the Oxford campus lovely as the seasons change.
– April 15: “Growing a Rainbow for Your Table: The Colorful Kitchen Garden.” Linda Boyd, Mid-town Farmers’ Market vendor, offers advice on growing a variety of fruits, flowers and vegetables in a home garden.
– April 22: “Purple Rain, Mellow Yellow, Silver Bells and Scarlet Ribbons: Creating Color in the Landscape.” Lelia Kelly, consumer horticulture specialist at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, discusses how to organize a garden around color.
Master Gardeners will give away their own propagated plants and other garden accessories as door prizes. Several pertinent publications from the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service will also be available for purchase.
University Museum is at Fifth Street and University Avenue. For more information or for assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7073.