Information Possibly Outdated
The information presented on this page was originally released on October 7, 2010. It may not be outdated, but please search our site for more current information. If you plan to quote or reference this information in a publication, please check with the Extension specialist or author before proceeding.
Fall festival is biggest garden event in region
The Fall Flower and Garden Festival at Mississippi State University’s Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs is one of the best horticulture field days in the Southeast. Come Oct.15 and 16 for free fun for the entire family. There will be a lot to see for everyone from garden novices to Master Gardeners.
The 3-acre garden site will showcase a great selection of tough roses, ornamental grasses like the native Gulf Coast muhly grass, tropical plants, and fall vegetables and herbs.
There are also plenty of new flowers to see. Some of the best are the New Guinea impatiens and coleus that grow in the full sun. The festival will feature Mississippi Medallion winners and plants from the All-America Selections program. The tropical garden with giant banana plants is a visitor favorite each year.
Seminars and exhibits will offer educational activities throughout both days. Several seminars will focus on home vegetable gardening. Topics will include cooking with herbs, how to harvest more vegetables, growing container vegetables, flower trial performance and favorite garden plants.
Walking tours give visitors the chance to investigate some of the research projects at the Truck Crops Branch Experiment Station. Walking tours will spotlight agri-bility, which is increasing access in the garden; insects and diseases; high tunnel production; and vegetable gardening.
Across the lake, vendors will be selling hot new plants perfect for fall planting.
I will be there, along with the other horticulture experts from Mississippi State University, to answer your tough garden and landscape questions. We will be wearing the blue vests, so come on up and introduce yourself.
The Fall Flower and Garden Festival is sponsored by the MSU Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. The Fall Flower and Garden Festival is in its 32nd year of celebrating everything related to the garden. More than 6,000 people attend the annual two-day event.
Hours are 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission and parking are free. All of the gardens and grounds, seminar areas and a tour wagon are handicapped accessible. Vendors will serve food and drinks, so come out and make a day of it.
The Truck Crops Experiment Station is located in Crystal Springs about 25 miles south of Jackson on Highway 51. Call (601) 892-3731 or contact your local MSU Extension office for more information.
