Garden show on tap at Kimbro this Friday

Local gardening enthusiasts won't have to go to Huntsville or Bryan for help with their gardens and yards this spring. Gardening experts, gardening aids and even a free tree for each attendee will be available this Friday at the Truman Kimbro Center.

The occasion will be the Spring Show & Seminar sponsored by the Keep Madison County Beautiful committee. Admission is free, and the show runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“If you're interested in gardening - planting trees, planting gardens, planting flowers - there'll be somebody there who can talk to you about it,” said Mary Reed, president of Keep Madison County Beautiful.

Several speakers will impart their expertise, and booths will be set up to show products that gardeners may use to help their gardens and yards grow healthier and more beautiful.

Expert horticulturalist and author Doug Welsh is scheduled to speak on “Earth Kind Landscaping.” Welsh is a professor at Texas A&M University and is the statewide coordinator for the Texas Master Gardener program.

Welsh hosts a gardening call-in radio show and provides gardening tips on KBTX-TV. He is also co-editor of the Texas Master Gardener Handbook and will sign copies of his new book “Doug Welsh's Texas Garden Almanac,” which will be available for purchase.

“If you're interested in planting a garden, meeting Doug Welch or attending a book signing, it'll be a great day for you,” said Reed.

Another speaker at the Spring Show will be local gardener Jerry Reed, who has been gardening in Madison County for 40 years. He will give advice on vegetable gardening that is tailored to this area.

Also speaking will be Todd Nightengale, with the Texas Forest Service, who will provide information on planting and caring for trees. The Forest Service will supply a variety of trees to the Spring Show, and each attendee will be given one free of charge.

According to Bobette Heaton, a member of Keep Madison County Beautiful, the Spring Show is not just for those who are experienced in yard work and gardens, but also for those who just want to learn more about plants. She was especially excited about the prospect of such a high-profile gardening expert as Doug Welch appearing at the show.

“Every Friday he does a spot on the morning show on KBTX,” she said, “and every Saturday he has an hour-long gardening show on a radio station in Bryan.” She reminded those considering going to the Spring Show of the value of the free gift.

“They're going to get a free tree,” she said, “and they can't get that out of a book or online.”

Schedule

9:30 - 10:30 - Todd Nightengale, Texas Forest Service

10:30 - 11:00 - Browse booths and visit with speakers

11:00 - 12:00 - Doug Welsh, “Earth Kind Landscaping”

12:00 - 1:00 - Doug Welsh book signing, “Doug Welsh's Texas Gardening Almanac”

1:00 - 2:00 - Jerry Reed, “Vegetable Gardening in Madison County”