A thing of beauty, courtesy of Hall County Master Gardeners
Hall County Master Gardeners on the Square
Downtown Gainesville, dressed for summer, is stirring up compliments. With more than 48 oversized planters and 72 hanging baskets, the square has become a living garden.
Twice a year, Hall County Master Gardeners provide seasonal plantings in partnership with Main Street Gainesville and the Department of Economic Development.
“This project is one of many that our Hall County Master Gardeners participate in throughout the year,” said Kathy Flora, who with Becky Bush, spearheaded these activities last fall and again in the spring. Both are graduates of the program’s 2024 training class. “Not only are we serving as community volunteers, it’s a great way to meet new people and get to know our fellow master gardeners.”
The spring planting took place on one morning, bringing together more than 25 volunteers, most members of Hall County Master Gardeners.
“Our members brought friends, plus when other people in the community heard about it, they asked to attend,” Bush said. “The saying goes that many hands make light work, and that was so true. By concentrating on the planters one day and on the baskets another, we were able to complete the work fairly quickly while having fun at the same time.”
Planting materials were provided by the City of Gainesville. Spring/summer plants included colorful coleus, geraniums, Wave petunias, million bells, and salvia.
“We combined plants that thrived in shade with other shade-loving plants and plants that need full sun were planted together,” Flora said. “As gardeners know, right place right light is key to success. And once the containers were planted, city workers moved them into place and provided regular watering.
“The expertise of our Hall County Master Gardeners and the support of the city makes a great partnership,” said Nicole Parham, economic development specialist and Main Street manager. “Working with community groups helps bring together the best of our area.”
Coincidentally, Gainesville hosted the Georgia Downtown Association Annual conference in August, just in time to showcase the vast improvements downtown over the past several years.
““From new restaurants and multi-deck parking to bustling retail and entertainment venues, downtown is a vibrant place,” Parham said. “We are so pleased that the GDA chose our city to host the event this year.”
The conference includes workshops, panels and tours of various areas of Gainesville and Hall County, including the Square.
“For us as Master Gardeners, it’s all about beautification through education,” Flora said. “Our goal is to train more people in best practices of gardening, through our yearly Master Gardener Training, our monthly meetings, workshops, educational programs and volunteer activities. And of course, we make lifelong friendships and have fun along the way.”
The Hall County Master Gardener Program is a gardening organization whose mission is to leave the world a better place. Our members achieve this by completing extensive UGA Master Gardener coursework and then by giving their hearts and their time to others.
In 2024, the 150 Hall County Master Gardeners gave almost 12,000 hours of their time to help support the county and community by teaching adult classes, leading and helping with youth garden clubs and programs, answering gardening questions in office, at farmer’s markets and special events, creating and managing beautiful flower gardens and growing and donating food to those in need in our community.
The organization is accepting applications for its 2026 class of trainees.
For more information about Hall County Master Gardeners, visit hallmastergardeners.com or call 770 535-8293.
Photo: courtesy of Main Street Gainesville Program
