Newsletter Articles & Archive

By Amy Dunlap

We all see the influx of people moving into Tennessee from other states, particularly from California and Florida. Many new residents come with questions about what fruit crops grow well in the state of Tennessee. Sometimes they may assume that citrus, olives, and avocados can thrive here. Winter freezes in Tennessee make it difficult to grow some of the plants that people are used to growing in other states. It’s not impossible to grow a Meyer lemon in Tennessee. However, for the best chance of success, it’s important for gardeners to choose crops and specific cultivars that are proven to do well here. 

Cultivar selection is one of the most important factors in ensuring fruit production success in Tennessee. A cultivar refers to a specific variety of fruit species that has been selectively bred for certain traits, such as disease resistance, yield, flavor, or adaptability to environmental conditions. Choosing cultivars that are well-suited to the local climate and soil types can result in higher yields, healthier plants, and better fruit quality.

The reality is that cultivating fruits like peaches, apples, and pears is challenging and often requires a high level of maintenance. Moisture levels here make many common cultivars prone to pest and disease issues. I try to discourage new residents and gardeners from starting with these more intensive crops. Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, are the easiest fruit crops to grow in Tennessee. These fruits can also be cultivated in containers or small spaces. Below is a list of suggested cultivars for small space fruit production in Tennessee. 

• Blueberry: Top Hat, Berrybux, Jelly Bean, Perpetua, Pink Icing

• Raspberry: Rasberry Shortcake, Heritage, Caroline, Anne, Glencoe Purple

• Strawberry: Day neutral/long day – Albion, Seascape; Short Day – Earliglow, Jewel, Flavorfest, Allstar 

By Margaret Littman

It’s about that time, you may be thinking. Daffodils have popped up, red buds are budding and the grass isn’t dormant any longer. It might feel like it is time to get the lawnmower out of the shed and start the seasonal chore.

You might consider holding off on that. In Davidson County, April is “no mow month.” It’s the local part of an international movement to encourage people to hold off mowing the lawns for the first month of spring. Proponents believe that not mowing allows plants that attract pollinators—like dandelions and clover—to grow long enough to bloom. And master gardeners know what more pollinators means: better flowers. Longer grass may also attract more non-pollinating, but in-demand, insects like fireflies. Longer grass may also help improve water absorption, stopping fertilizer and chemicals from heading to runoff. 

Plus, you get a little extra rest before mowing is your regular chore again.

Cumberland River Compact has worked with Metro Codes to develop the local No Mow April program. As long as your grass is 12 inches long or shorter, you won’t be subject to any kind of Codes violations. Sign up for free with the Compact and you’ll get directions on how to get a No Mow sign. You’ll stick it in the ground on your own and let Codes (and your neighbors know what you’re doing). After the month is over, the Compact will grab the sign for re-use next year.

When No Mow April is over, make sure your lawnmower blades are sharp. It may take two passes to cut the grass to the length you like it.

By Blake Davis

Two years ago, I achieved a dream I didn’t think was possible. I bought a house with a little bit of land—a place where I could plant, grow, and restore.

Exploring the property I quickly realized nearly everything growing here was invasive. Tree of Heaven (the host plant for the Spotted Lanternfly, an invasive insect destroying native trees across the eastern U.S.) and Japanese honeysuckle were rampant.

After MGDC members Caroll Marrero convinced me to read some Doug Tallamy, and Paul Prill got me all excited about native planting, I’m doing what I can to fight the war against invasive bushes and plant as many trees as I can.

I contacted the Cumberland River Compact program “Root Nashville”. They are dedicated to increasing the tree canopy in Davidson County, giving three free trees to neighborhood yards across Nashville. 

I found out they also have a large-yard tree program made for places of worship, HOA’s and residents with enough land to support 10+ trees. After a few site visits and some commitments for care, I’m honored they chose to deliver a large number of trees to my yard—each one a quiet force in an ever-growing urban landscape.

For months I dug holes every night, augering pilot holes and expanding with a shovel. Some friends and new neighbors came to help, and that summer found my daughter eating her first berries from a baby carrier on my back, pointing and squawking until I let her pick straight from the new Serviceberry (or as I prefer, Juneberry) trees in my yard.

The Quiet Power of Trees (Why This Matters Beyond Berries and Beauty)

Now my daughter is about to turn three years old and has already asked me about a dozen times this year when summer is coming and the Juneberries will be ready to eat. My yard is starting to fill with sounds beyond the typical traffic and airplanes we hear so close to a city as the buzz of insects increases and butterflies like Red-Spotted Purples and Viceroys have started appearing more regularly in the yards connected to mine.

The past two summers have seen friends and neighbors bring cups and buckets to share in berry activities like picking and baking.

In 2021 I lived on one of the worst hit streets when the 7 Mile Creek flooded. I was out in knee to waist deep water until 2am helping neighbors out of their houses and pointing them across the street and uphill to my house where my wife and over a dozen traumatized neighbors were waiting with blankets, children, babies and dogs as they could watch through our window as their houses flooded across the street.
This is what Root Nashville is about. Their goal is to plant 500,000 trees across Davidson County by 2050.
Call your representative: Request that they look into what is happening with these funds that were secured, but have been removed with no warning.
Donate to Root Nashville: Every penny makes a difference.
Plant a tree yourself, or even better become a Tree Planting Captain! If you have a yard, now is the time to put roots in our Nashville neighborhoods. 

But planting trees isn’t just for the insects, berries, and pretty views.

Trees do essential jobs for the city’s health such as lowering temperatures, cleaning the air, supporting wildlife and, you guessed it, preventing flooding.

Bad News with No Warning 

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture pulled around $1 million in federal funding that had been earmarked for The Cumberland River Compact’s tree canopy program, canceling plans that were built off of valid contracts meant to place trees where they are needed most.

I reached out to my contacts at both Root Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact. They assured me that the work will continue—Root Nashville remains funded by Metro Nashville and Metro Water Services, and Cumberland River Compact is still financially stable. 

But they confirmed what this lost funding means: Fewer trees planted in low-canopy neighborhoods that need them most, fewer contracts for Tennessee tree farmers who grow these trees, less green space growth, and slower progress in the fight against extreme heat and urban flooding.

What You Can Do (Right Now) to Help

Spread the word: Many people are unaware of the Cumberland River Compact, Root Nashville, or their funding cuts.

If you want help, call me and I’ll lend my shovel—as long as you’re willing to let my 2 and 4 year old bring theirs. And I’ll bring some berries if they’re in season. 

By Jen Zimmerer

Allow me to start off by being vulnerable and admitting that although I prioritize smart rainwater use and environmental stewardship, adding an irrigation system for my raised bed vegetable garden has been a game changer! I capture rainwater into a single rain barrel (I should probably add one or two more) and I find myself emptying it regularly during warm weather. Watering by hand in the early mornings before work is also not always feasible and if I’m dreading taking care of my space, my poor vegetables often get neglected. I decided to allow myself the sinful pleasure of paying an additional $10/mo on my water bill to have my irrigation system do my dirty work and help my vegetables thrive. I haven’t looked back since!

The cost of setup was reasonable with a pre-made drip irrigation kit, a splitter for my hose, and a timer connected to the irrigation side of the hose. You could also save a bit of money by buying specific items a la carte to create your own starter kit. This would just take a bit of research and measurement on the front end, but would be great for ambitious and thrifty folks!

I easily buried the 1/2 inch poly tubing included in the kit that leads several feet across the yard from the hose bib to my raised beds. With the 1/2 inch tubing, there is a punch included to create holes and attach smaller drip lines and various micro-spray attachments. I have also moved the setup around the garden a couple of times and had no issue customizing to various configurations. I love that I can place sprayers or drip lines near the plants that need the most water while avoiding their less-thirsty companions. I am also careful to plant and mulch each bed efficiently to reduce the need for too much watering. The hose timer I use is simple, but allows me to program a rain delay if there are rainy days that don’t need watering. If you haven’t checked out the most up-to-date Bluetooth hose timers, you should have a look at how far they’ve come in recent years!

As you might have deduced, there are a few downsides to this lazy girl’s guide to gardening. First, I’m paying for water and using city water isn’t always the most ideal for a healthy garden. Second, and maybe less obvious, is that I am no longer putting my eyes on every nook and cranny of my vegetable garden. Without having to rise at the crack of dawn to water, I have been known to neglect scouting for pests and disease and I can be late to the game on trellising. My tomato jungle was growing so ferociously last year I had to let it flop over the side of my raised bed rather than staking it up nice and tall. All in all, if you find your garden getting away from you and life getting in the way of achieving prime pepper potential, check out an easy irrigation system for your veggies.

Pre-made kits and parts for my system here: https://misterlandscaper.com

*there are lots of helpful YouTube videos for setup advice and helpful tips

By James Hearn

In last month's article, we explored the role of Master Gardeners as citizen scientists. Now, let's delve into how you can take your contributions a step further by designing and conducting your own garden experiments. By applying the principles of experimental design, you can transform your garden into a hub of discovery, generating valuable data and deepening your understanding of horticultural practices.

Designing effective garden experiments isn't about complex laboratory setups; it's about applying sound scientific principles to your gardening endeavors. It starts with developing clear, testable hypotheses. A hypothesis is a specific, measurable, and falsifiable statement about what you expect to observe. Instead of a general question like "Which fertilizer is best?", a strong hypothesis would be "Tomato plants treated with Fertilizer A will produce a higher yield of fruit compared to tomato plants treated with Fertilizer B." This specificity allows for focused investigation.

The next crucial step is creating controlled experiments. Control is the cornerstone of reliable scientific inquiry. A controlled experiment isolates the variable you're testing (the independent variable) while keeping all other factors constant. In our fertilizer example, the type of fertilizer is the independent variable. To control the experiment, you would ensure that all tomato plants receive the same amount of sunlight, water, and soil, except for the fertilizer treatment. This allows you to confidently attribute any differences in yield to the fertilizer.

Identifying and managing variables is essential for maintaining experimental integrity. Variables are any factors that can influence the outcome of your experiment. As mentioned, the independent variable is the one you manipulate. The dependent variable is the factor you measure (e.g., fruit yield). Extraneous variables are any other factors that could affect the dependent variable. These need to be controlled or accounted for. For instance, plant variety, soil type, and pest infestations are all extraneous variables that could influence tomato yield.

Developing robust measurement systems is equally important. How will you quantify the results of your experiment? This requires defining clear metrics and using consistent measurement techniques. In our example, you might measure the total weight of harvested fruit, the number of fruits per plant, or the average size of the fruits. Using precise tools and recording your measurements meticulously will ensure the accuracy and reliability of your data.

Finally, maintaining experimental integrity throughout the process is paramount. This involves adhering to your experimental design, avoiding bias, and documenting your procedures and observations thoroughly. Consistent watering schedules, careful labeling of plants, and detailed record-keeping are all essential for ensuring the validity of your results.

The beauty of garden experiments lies in their practicality. Consider these examples:

Comparing irrigation methods: Design an experiment to compare the effectiveness of drip irrigation versus overhead watering on the growth of your herbs. You could measure plant height, leaf size, or overall plant health.

Testing soil amendment effectiveness: Evaluate the impact of different compost types on soil fertility. Measure soil pH, nutrient levels, or the growth rate of plants in amended versus unamended soil.

Tracking pollinator interactions: Observe and record the frequency of pollinator visits to different flowering plants in your garden. This data can contribute to our understanding of pollinator preferences and habitat needs.

Monitoring plant disease resistance: If you're growing different varieties of a particular plant, observe and document their susceptibility to common diseases. This can help you identify disease-resistant varieties for your region.

By embracing the principles of experimental design, Master Gardeners can move beyond simply following instructions and actively contribute to the body of horticultural knowledge. Your garden can become a dynamic learning environment, where curiosity and scientific inquiry converge to cultivate not only thriving plants but also a deeper understanding of the natural world.

By Bethany Fancher

Urban farming- in Nashville this can have a suburban feel, at least it does in my neighborhood. Our enclave has yards that are often 1 acre, so there is some ground to play with. We have a neighborhood group meeting once a month, not because we are an HOA, (we are not that),  it is just a way to get to know neighbors and organize some projects together. Sometimes it’s a trash pick up around the neighborhood, sometimes a porchfest or planting trees. Last week it was a seed swap. Besides swapping some seeds, we talked about all the upcoming plant related events fast approaching, as well as timelines for planting and preparing. Dormant oil was a timely topic- the weather is warming up and soon buds will pop open (perhaps by the time this is published) - read the label on the dormant oil container, it will advise for different kinds of trees and plants for what is the best moment to spray for each. Pick a non-windy day between 40 to 70 degrees.Thwart those mites! 

Another topic discussed was how to make a yard into an official farm. My main crop has been garlic, and I’ve been ramping up production for a few years. I also have some small cold frame beds for growing greens over winter. I registered my yard plot with the USDA and got a farm and track number. Now that I have that, I am eligible for programs through the NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE( NRCS), like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) grant to help me expand my growing season for winter greens by getting a hoop house (these are big enough to require a permit from Metro). Unfortunately, after a site visit from an NRCS representative, it was determined my yard has too much slope for a hoop house (needs to be 4% grade or less, I am told). If it had been less than 4% grade slope, I would have been a candidate for a hoop house grant. Also, due to sudden funding cuts, farmers are being backtracked out of grant money already promised to them this year. So I can’t say for sure what will be available for these EQIP grants right now. But if you are growing some crop and want to get a farm and track number, you can do that with a very small plot, just talk to someone at the USDA about what you want to be growing and what you have been growing- Also, just  fyi, getting a farm number does not change your tax status, in case anyone is wondering or getting excited about that aspect, zoning stays the same. 

Lastly, we talked about the Smart Yard program, in case you missed the memo: TN Smart Yards Festival in Davidson County is on May 10^th from 9am-1pm at the Demonstration and Education Gardens at Ellington. I have the Smart Yard certification, and I encourage my neighbors and beyond to take up the challenge, make it a group challenge, support each other, share equipment, make it easier!  It’s about  designing your yard to be a healthy ecosystem. Sequestering water into the ground or catching it in a rain barrel will create less water run-off, less flooding. Tree and plant roots help secure the soil from erosion. Creating pollinator gardens, and no-mow yards help the ecosystem thrive and can cut down on labor (no mow!). Root Nashville and the Nashville Tree Foundation are excellent resources. We planted almost 300 trees in my neighborhood! When the summer heats up, we’ll stay cool.

Review of Robert Pavlis, Soil Science for Gardeners:

Working with Nature to Build Soil Health,

British Columbia: New Society Publishers, 2020

By Paul Prill

“I feel the earth move under my feet” is the title of a 1971 song by Carole King. It was not about gardening! But if we became aware of the living organisms in the combinations of sand, silt, clay and organic matter which support our plants, we could imagine the earth moving under our feet and could appreciate what those movements do to produce a healthy soil. 

Much of what we practice in gardening is the result of lore passed from generation to generation. As one of my associates used to say, “if it works, use it." But we often use it without assessing its consequences for our soil health. After all, if we want bigger plants or more tomatoes, we just add fertilizer. 

Unit 5 in our master gardener handbook introduced us to basic concepts about soil health. Soil Science for Gardeners: Working with Nature to Build Soil Health, by Robert Pavlis expands those 16 pages into a 200 page book, but don’t be put off. Pavlis writes for the non-specialist gardener to help us better understand how maintaining a healthy soil in turn promotes plant health. You might, though, want to refresh your memory about the basic concepts before you launch into this more extended discussion. 

Because this is a book for gardeners and not for academics, Pavlis has lots of practical advice which arises from the soil science he presents. Some of those we already practice because they work. But some practices we might want to rethink.

Too often we reach for a standard 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer when we already have, in most of our yards, an overabundance of phosphorus.. We do this not realizing that phosphorus can reach toxic levels. In the spring we crank up our tillers/cultivators and grind away at our gardens to get that soil good and loose. In doing so, we also destroy soil structure and the fungal networks which allow our plants to take up nutrients they need to grow and fruit. 

Since the extension service is committed to science-based horticultural and agricultural practices, we are reinforcing that commitment when we take some time to learn more about the science. Soil Science for Gardeners is very readable, and you will get many answers to “your anything you want to know about soil” questions

By: James Hearn

Master Gardeners are known for their passion for home horticulture and their dedication to sharing gardening knowledge. But did you know that your garden or landscape can be more than just a source of beauty and fresh produce? It can also be a living laboratory, contributing valuable data to scientific research. As Master Gardeners, we're uniquely positioned to act as Citizen Scientists, bridging the gap between our communities and the world of scientific discovery.

So, what exactly is a Citizen Scientist? Simply put, it's an amateur researcher who contributes to scientific knowledge. This can take many forms, from observing and recording natural phenomena to collecting data and even participating in experiments. Master Gardeners, with our established network and deep connection to the plant world, are ideal candidates for this role. We already possess a wealth of gardening experience and a desire to learn more. By combining these qualities with a few key skills, we can transform our gardens into valuable sources of scientific information.

Our gardens, whether they're sprawling landscapes or container plantings on a balcony, are dynamic ecosystems. They’re microcosms of the larger environment, influenced by weather patterns, soil conditions, and the interactions between different species. This makes them perfect for observing and recording changes over time. The unique value of local, long-term observations cannot be overstated! Researchers often rely on large-scale, short-term studies, which can miss subtle but significant trends that unfold over years. Master Gardeners, rooted in their communities, can provide this crucial long-term perspective. We can track the arrival of pollinators, monitor the spread of invasive species, or observe the effects of changing climate patterns on our plants, all within the familiar context of our own gardens.

Scientific literacy is an essential ingredient for effective citizen science. It means understanding experimentation, reasoning, and basic scientific facts. It means being naturally curious, asking questions about the world around you and seeking answers to those questions. It means being able to read science articles in newspapers and magazines and assess whether those findings are valid. Because Master Gardeners are informed about science and technology, you can evaluate the quality of information based on its source and the methods used to generate data. Most importantly, being scientifically literate allows you to distinguish science from pseudoscience. Differentiating between the two can help you avoid misinformation and poor advice found on websites and other unverified sources.

Becoming a Citizen Scientist as a Master Gardener involves cultivating a few key skills. Systematic observation is paramount. This means paying close attention to details, noticing patterns, and recording your observations accurately. Careful data collection is essential for ensuring the reliability of your contributions. Using standardized methods and tools, whether it's a simple notebook or a dedicated app, will make your data more valuable to researchers. Critical thinking is also crucial. As you collect data, you'll need to analyze it, identify potential biases, and draw informed conclusions. Citizen science is often a collaborative endeavor, so the ability to work effectively with others, including professional scientists, is important. Finally, sharing your discoveries is a vital part of the process. Whether through writing articles in Master Gardener newsletters, delivering a presentation at a Speaker's Bureau event, or fielding questions at an Ask a Master Gardener event, communicating your findings helps to expand our collective understanding of the natural world.

How can your garden and landscape become a source of valuable scientific information? There are numerous citizen science projects that welcome the participation of Master Gardeners. Here are a few examples:

UT Home Garden Vegetable Trials: (https://mastergardener.tennessee.edu/home-garden-vegetable-trial) This program, sponsored by the University of Tennessee, enlists Master Gardeners to grow and evaluate different vegetable varieties in their home gardens. Participants receive seeds and instructions, then provide feedback on plant growth, yield, pest resistance, and flavor. This data helps researchers identify top-performing varieties for Tennessee gardeners.

Tennessee Butterfly Monitoring Program: (https://www.zooknoxville.org/conservation/tennessee-butterfly-monitoring-network) Butterfly enthusiasts can contribute to conservation efforts by monitoring butterfly populations in their own backyards. The Knoxville Zoo provides training and resources for identifying different butterfly species and recording their numbers. This data helps track butterfly populations and assess the health of their habitats.

Great Backyard Bird Count: (https://www.birdcount.org/) This nationwide event, organized by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, encourages birdwatchers of all levels to count birds in their backyards for a designated period of time. Participants submit their data online, contributing to a massive snapshot of bird populations across the country.

Budburst: (https://budburst.org/) Budburst enlists citizen scientists to make careful observations of the timing of plant life cycle events (phenophases). Participants can choose from featured research projects or create their own, focusing on specific plants or ecological questions that interest them.

These are just a few examples of the many citizen science opportunities available to Master Gardeners. By participating in these projects, you'll not only be contributing to scientific research but also deepening your own understanding of the natural world.

Each year during the prime-time gardening season, any Master Gardeners of Davidson County member can show off their garden by hosting a tour or open house. When you host a garden tour, you earn 15 volunteer hours. In addition, any Master Gardener who assists a host in preparation for the tour can record one volunteer hour for every hour you assist (including travel time to and from the garden). Master Gardeners who visit the tour garden can count the visit for one CEU hour.

Here are the steps for hosting a garden tour or open house:

Schedule: Decide on a date and time for the tour. Generally, tours take place on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Time and hours are up to the host; a two- to four-hour window provides ample time for visitors to come and go as they are able. You may provide a rain date, but it’s not required. 

Email the request at least two weeks in advance to gardentours@mgofdc.org. Along with the date and time, include the address of the tour, a bit of information about your garden, and a couple of recent images that we can include with the announcement. 

Plan: Even if your garden is a “work in progress,” Master Gardener colleagues enjoy and learn from it. We encourage tour hosts to include an educational component. Possibilities could include visible labels on plants, including botanical names; a listing of plants in the garden; a handout with information on design/planting/maintenance, or other learning opportunities relevant to your garden.

Enjoy: Welcome visitors, chat with your gardener colleagues, walk with them around the garden and enjoy showing off your hard work. Some hosts provide very light refreshments, but it’s not required. Water is nice to have on hand, though, especially on a hot day.

Questions? Email Gloria Ballard at gardentours@mgofdc.org.

Get to know our 2025 First Vice President: Karen Kupelian

- What is your favorite thing about gardening? I love the beauty it adds to the world and being able to enjoy it on my own and with others.

- What led you to become a master gardener? I enjoyed gardening since buying my home but knew much less than I wished to. I wanted to know how to care for my yard and my friends and families yards with evidence backed research.

- What is your favorite thing about being a master gardener? The community and commitment to growing and education. The all hands on deck mulching days, the way we celebrate milestones with and for each other and learn from each other is wonderful.

- What is your favorite memory during your time as a master gardener? So many! Apple tasting in class to garden tours and the satisfaction of weed pulling and mulching at the arboretum with friends.

- What is your favorite season as a gardener? Spring! reminder of the renewal and life that spring brings. 

- How many years have you been gardening? Less than 10

- Have you always gardened in TN or did you start somewhere else? What is the same/different? I have always gardened in TN with a background growing up in Maryland and college and grad school in Virginia. All the same growing zone so I had some familiarity with the plants that would grow there. 

- If you were moving and could only take one plant with you, what would it be? I'm really a sucker for flowering plants and trees. I guess an Iris tuber- they are easy to transplant and spread nicely.

- What are some staples that you will always grow in your garden? Boxwoods, azaleas, iris, peony, helleboreus, dafodils, coneflower, rose and Hydrangea. I hope to always have a cutting garden to share with friends and family.

- What is the most important lesson you have learned about gardening? To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. It takes time, patience, pruning, consistency, management to reap the rewards a garden can offer. Also of course-right plant, right place.