UGA Trial Gardens open house approaches

ATHENS, Ga. – The 33rd annual University of Georgia Trial Gardens’ Public Open House will be on Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Trial Gardens’ Public Open House is an event for people of all ages to enjoy and all are invited.

This year, the university gardens employed a steamer to reduce all the bad pathogens and weeds in the soil. Because of this research, the garden staff hopes their plants will be healthier and have fewer weeds. In addition, the gardens' roses have improved this year, due to Karen Radde, the gardens' rose expert. The Trial Gardens are also in the process of updating the perennial section of the garden. Many of the newest perennials and annuals will be in full bloom.

Dr. John M. Ruter, the director of the Trial Gardens and a professor of the Horticulture Department at UGA will attend the event to lead tours of the Garden as well as sell and sign his newest book Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo for the Southeast. The book is for sale for $30. A $5 donation is requested upon entry which is applied to help sustain the gardens' endeavors (please make checks out to The Gardens).

School is out for summer, and parking is available at the McPhaul Parking lot across from the Stegeman Coliseum. For more information about the open house, parking, and directions, please email at trial-gardens@uga.edu.