Books and Blooms at UT Gardens (Knoxville, Alcoa: school, garden, activity)

[knoxgarden]

Great Free Activity for the kids now that school is out. Pre-schooler friendly.
Every Thursday Morning through July: Books and Blooms at the UT Gardens. 10:30 a.m.
Books and Blooms is a weekly reading, crafting and learning activity for children and parents. Kids of all ages are welcome at this popular summertime event! Join area storytellers for readings and stories with an environmental theme. After story time, the kids can enjoy crafts or even time under the sprinkler in warmer weather.
If you would like to be put on an email list to receive a weekly reminder about Books and Blooms, please email Beth Willis at: ewillis2@utk.edu

[hiknapster]

knoxgarden: I would love to see these UT gardens that you write about, but I can't seem to find them. I tried to follow the signs one time but ended up at the UT Vet school, I think.

By the way, I've taken some clippings from my own flowers and think I am well on my way with my planting. I even managed to get cyclamen seeds and my poinsettia is thriving in one of the gardens. Got an herb garden going, as well as a wildflower one (it's a work in progress, ask JMT), veggies and perennials. My husband is building a nice wall on a small slope for a kitchen garden.

I thought of you today as I was gardening.

But darn it all, I keep forgetting these plant swaps and don't know where to find those gardens!

[knoxgarden]

If you found the Vet School, you were almost there. It's next door to them.
The gardens are on Neyland Drive between Third Creek Greenway and the Vet School.
Here are the instructions from the UT Website:
To get to the UT Gardens in Knoxville, from I-40 take Exit 386B onto Hwy 129 (Alcoa Hwy toward the Airport). From Hwy 129 take exit for Hwy 158 (Neyland Drive). Turn left at end of exit ramp. Turn left onto Joe Johnson Drive, and right at next light onto Chapman Drive. Visitor parking is directly across from the entrance to the UT Gardens, and is marked with signs for "2-Hr Visitor Parking."
Or do a Google Map search for Jacob Drive, Knoxville TN. That big empty space on Neyland Drive between Third Creek and the river is the Gardens.
It's definitely worth the trip.
The next plant swap is Sunday, Oct. 11
Knoxville Plant Swap
Sign up for the e-mail list and you'll get reminders
It's a great way to build up a garden. You wouldn't believe what folks were giving away last weekend. Even if you don't have much to swap, these are generous folks.
I got quart-sized tarragon and rosemary plants from an avid herb grower. Also 10 pots of basil, all different kinds. At least 8 huge begonias and a lotus for my water garden. Also a couple of other things that just showed up in my car when I wasn't looking.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by knoxgarden

If you found the Vet School, you were almost there. It's next door to them.
The gardens are on Neyland Drive between Third Creek Greenway and the Vet School.
Here are the instructions from the UT Website:
To get to the UT Gardens in Knoxville, from I-40 take Exit 386B onto Hwy 129 (Alcoa Hwy toward the Airport). From Hwy 129 take exit for Hwy 158 (Neyland Drive). Turn left at end of exit ramp. Turn left onto Joe Johnson Drive, and right at next light onto Chapman Drive. Visitor parking is directly across from the entrance to the UT Gardens, and is marked with signs for "2-Hr Visitor Parking."
Or do a Google Map search for Jacob Drive, Knoxville TN. That big empty space on Neyland Drive between Third Creek and the river is the Gardens.
It's definitely worth the trip.
The next plant swap is Sunday, Oct. 11
Knoxville Plant Swap
Sign up for the e-mail list and you'll get reminders
It's a great way to build up a garden. You wouldn't believe what folks were giving away last weekend. Even if you don't have much to swap, these are generous folks.
I got quart-sized tarragon and rosemary plants from an avid herb grower. Also 10 pots of basil, all different kinds. At least 8 huge begonias and a lotus for my water garden. Also a couple of other things that just showed up in my car when I wasn't looking.

Your the best, as usual. Now if I can just get you to come out and give me your honest opinion! Like I said, I did this wildflower thing, and then planted annuals to fill in, right in front of the patio. It looked awful, and still isn't the best. JMT's dad just kept walking through it because he thought it was weeds. Well, it really is!

I'll give those directions a whirl, and get the e-mail reminder.