Cumberland County Master Gardeners Offer Spring Gardening Classes

The Cumberland County Master Gardeners are hosting 25 gardening and nature classes throughout 2026 at UT Gardens-Crossville, also known as the Plateau Discovery Gardens. These classes, led by specialists and Master Gardeners, cover a range of topics from pruning techniques to vegetable gardening and local flora.

March Class Schedule

• All About Pruning! – Wednesday, March 4, 1-3 p.m. Gregg Upchurch, Cumberland County UT Extension agent, will guide participants through proper pruning methods for shrubs, trees, grasses and hydrangeas, covering when and how to prune effectively.
• Homegrown Strawberries! – Thursday, March 12, 10 a.m.-noon. Seth Whitehouse, Anderson County UT Extension agent, will share insights on growing sweeter strawberries at home, including variety selection, soil preparation, watering, pest control, and care for young plants.
• Vegetable Gardening 101 – Saturday, March 14, 9-11 a.m. Master Gardeners Fred Mullen and Sid Morgan will provide a foundational course on vegetable gardening, offering tips on planting, growing, harvesting, and selecting varieties suited to the Cumberland Plateau.
• Froggy Went A-Courtin’ – Saturday, March 28, 10-11:30 a.m. Naturalist, educator, and author Stephen Lyn Bales will lead a child-friendly program exploring the frogs of East Tennessee, their calls, the importance of clean water, and spring ecology. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location and Registration

Unless otherwise noted, classes will be held in the indoor classroom at the UT Plateau Research and Education Center, located at 320 Experiment Station Road. Follow signs to the rear of the second brick building.

Registration is encouraged, as some classes have limited space and may be canceled if fewer than five people register. Participants can register online at ccmga.org under the “Programs/Classes” section, by emailing utgardenscrossville@utk.edu, or by calling 931-484-0034.

The Cumberland County Master Gardeners request that participants notify them if they are unable to attend a registered class as a courtesy to the presenter.

About the Cumberland County Master Gardeners

The Cumberland County Master Gardeners are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing free educational programs in Cumberland County. They also offer summer internships for college students in agriculture and horticulture. Learn more on their Facebook page.

The UT Gardens-Crossville, a collaborative effort of the Plateau AgResearch and Education Center, UT Extension Cumberland County, and the Cumberland County Master Gardeners, is open year-round during daylight hours and offers a demonstration garden for visitors and residents of the Plateau. Find more information about the UT Gardens-Crossville here.

Bird Treat Fundraiser

The Cumberland County Master Gardeners are also currently holding a bird treat fundraiser to support the UT Gardens, Crossville. Visit their website for details.