February is the Perfect Time to Start Your Summer Garden

from Lori Thomas, President of Hall County Master Gardeners As I sit down to write this, the ground outside my window has patches of snow, it is 20 degrees, and more snow is predicted for the weekend. Thoughts of starting your summer garden may seem absurd, or at least not at the top of your list of to-do’s, but there is much you can be doing now to increase the success of your summer garden. Testing Your Soil We think of gardening as nurturing plants, but it is also about n

tanyalbennett

23 hours ago2 min read

Seeing the Sites

from HCMG's new Blog Editor, Tanya Bennett Hello, and thanks for the opportunity to serve as the new editor of this blog! I’m a spring 2026 Master Gardener trainee, so I still have lots to learn. Nonetheless, I hope my 30 years of trial-and-error gardening, along with access to the Hall County Extension Office and Master Gardener experts, will enable me to offer you some helpful insights as we get our hands dirty in our respective landscapes. Learning from the Past One les

tanyalbennett

24 hours ago2 min read

First Annual Horticulture Scholarship from Hall County Master Gardeners

Learn about the Scholarship and download an application

Donna Stephens

Jan 302 min read

Why I Became a Master Gardener

by Mike Hogan, Hall County Master Gardener, Class of 2023 Have you ever looked at plants and wondered about all the processes at work...

Mary Anne Giangola

Jul 15, 20252 min read

Judy Lyle Obituary

Judy Lyle 1939 - 2025 Judy Williamson Lyle, affectionately known as "Grandma," went home to Jesus on June 22, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on August 6, 1939, in Columbus, Georgia, and was a long-time resident of Gainesville. Judy was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where she lovingly served on the Flower Guild and was an active part of the Good News at Noon meal team. A proud alumna of the University of Georgia, she earned both her undergrad

Mary Anne Giangola

Jul 14, 20252 min read