SCMGA annual From Bulbs to Bloom Sale and Conference

Smith County Master Gardeners celebrate 25^th Earth-Kind “From Bulbs to Blooms” Conference and Sale

For their 25th anniversary, the Smith County Master Gardeners will present well-known speakers and authors, Chris Weisinger of The Southern Bulb Company and Greg Grant, Smith County’s Texas A&M AgriLife Extension horticulturist. The lectures begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, 21 October, at Pollard United Methodist Church (3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler). They will be bringing a selection of their own East Texas grown bulbs for sale only to those who attend the conference. Attendees will also have a chance to win fabulous door prizes, including two wonderful, two-night getaway packages, and a “super-sampler” of locally-grown bulbs.

Get-away Package Number One is a two-night stay at The House of Seasons, Lady Bird Suite, in historic Jefferson, Texas, valued at $500. Get-away Package Number Two is a two-night stay (king room) at Church Street Inn, a boutique hotel, in historic Natchitoches, Louisiana, valued at $1000.

After the door prizes are awarded, there will be a mini “Run for the Bulbs” when the special bulbs farmed by our speakers are presented for sale; first come, first served. Back by popular demand, the SCMG webstore will open at 7 a.m. on Monday, 9 October, and close at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 18 October. Bulbs featured in the sale are all locally-trialed, hardy, heirloom, and hard-to-find – quite a few of them rarely available for sale. A small selection of hardy trees and shrubs, autographed books by the two speakers, plus the new SCMG 2024 calendar and garden guide, packed with information, will be available for pre-order.

All items ordered from the webstore must be picked up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Saturday, 21 October, beginning immediately after the conference. During pick-up hours, there will be a plethora of Smith County Master Gardeners to answer gardening questions; “bonus” bulbs, artwork, and tee shirts for sale; free children’s activities, and more, helping them celebrate their exciting milestone. For a fun, educational, and exciting day, plan to join!

The Smith County Master Gardeners have worked diligently through the years identifying and making available long-lived, Earth-Kind bulbs that don’t require irrigation, pesticides, or fertilizer.

To access to our online store click HERE. The store will be open October 9th at 7:00 am. until October 18th at 10:00pm.

This year’s event will feature a special conference on the day bulbs are picked up. More on this to come.

Mark these times and dates on your calendar:

• Monday, October 9 – the online store opens at 7:00 am
• Wednesday, October 18 – the online store closes at 1:00 pm
• Saturday, October 21 – Conference and order pick-up. Conference begins at 9:00 am and Pick-up begins at 10:00 am, both are at Pollard United Methodist Church.

To download the list of BULBS and more, click HERE!

To find out more about the history of our Bulb sale, click HERE for a link to the SCMGA YouTube channel and find out more!