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Cobb County
UGA Extension Office

Upcoming Events

From Vision to Community Resource An Outdoor Classroom Takes Root in Cobb County UGA Extension Cobb County invites the public to celebrate the grand opening of its new Living Classroom Garden during Cobb Grows Together: Extension Garden Grand Opening and Great Southeast Pollinator Census on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Cobb County Extension Office, 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, Georgia. This free, family friendly event celebrates the opening of a unique outdoor classroom designed to inspire curiosity, connect people with nature, and bring research-based gardening education to life. Visitors of all ages are invited to explore the garden, meet local conservation organizations, participate in hands on activities, and join thousands of people across the Southeast in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, an annual community science project that helps researchers better understand pollinator populations. Throughout the day, guests can enjoy guided and self-guided tours of the Living Classroom Garden, participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, complete nature themed scavenger hunts, visit the Ask a Master Gardener booth gardening advice, and enjoy educational crafts and story times hosted by the Cobb County Public Library. Community partners from across Cobb County and Georgia will also be on hand, including the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission with its interactive Enviroscape watershed model, the Georgia Forestry Commission, Cobb County Water System, the Georgia Native Plant Society, UGA Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, and UGA Extension 4 H Youth Development. Family and Consumer Sciences will offer free fresh fruit smoothie samples, while 4 H youth will sell snow cones and concessions to support local programming. The Living Classroom Garden is a year-round educational space showcasing native plants, pollinator habitat, edible gardening, composting, sustainable landscaping practices, and practical gardening techniques for Georgia homeowners. Created as a living demonstration garden, it allows visitors to see University of Georgia research-based recommendations in action, ask questions, and experience gardening through sight, touch, smell, and observation. Beginning in September, UGA Extension Cobb County will offer monthly educational programs in the garden on Wednesday afternoons. Plans are also underway to expand children's programming, giving young learners opportunities to explore nature through hands on experiences while discovering the wonder of the natural world. The Living Classroom Garden reflects the talents, generosity, and dedication of the Cobb County Master Gardener Volunteers. Bill Lovelace, Larry Long, Mike Sumpter, and Howard Fry built the raised beds that form the foundation of the garden. Becky and Jerry Blades and Joan Cotter helped establish the garden during its earliest stages by sourcing plants and creating trellising, while Master Gardener Volunteer Kathy Bergwall propagated and nurtured many of the native plants that now flourish throughout the landscape. The project also benefited from the talents of many skilled volunteers. Grady McWhorter, Don Doyle, Howard Fry, Guy VanHorne, Dan Larkin, Ken Johnson, and Bob Wood worked together to construct the pergola that welcomes visitors into the garden. Colorful steppingstones lining the pathways were created during a community volunteer paint party, while Coordinator Niki Buchanan hand painted the large butterfly cutouts that greet visitors throughout the space. Community supporters also played an important role. Connie Settle donated vegetable seedlings that helped establish the edible gardens, and Craig Bergwall handcrafted many of the bee houses that provide habitat for native pollinators. Together, these contributions transformed an idea into a living classroom that will educate, inspire, and welcome visitors for years to come. "Extension has always been about bringing research-based education directly to the community," said Niki Buchanan, Program Assistant for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Cobb County Master Gardener Coordinator. "This garden gives us a place where people can experience gardening instead of simply reading about it. Our 4-H youth and their families are constantly stopping to ask questions about what's growing and what's happening in the garden. When community members come in with horticulture questions, we can walk outside and show them the answers instead of just describing them. I've even enjoyed sharing a coworker's first experience of picking and tasting a fresh tomatillo right off the vine. Those everyday moments remind me that gardens have a way of bringing people together. I hope this space continues to inspire curiosity, conversation, and a lifelong love of gardening." The event also celebrates the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, an annual citizen science initiative that invites participants to spend just fifteen minutes observing and counting pollinators. The information collected helps researchers better understand pollinator diversity and supports conservation efforts throughout the Southeast. Admission is free, and no registration is required. Families, gardeners, educators, nature lovers, and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact UGA Extension Cobb County at 770 528 4074 or email niki.buchanan@uga.edu. About UGA Extension Cobb County UGA Extension Cobb County connects the research and resources of the University of Georgia with Cobb County residents through unbiased, research-based education in agriculture and natural resources, horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4 H Youth Development. Through educational programs, demonstrations, and community partnerships, Extension helps individuals, families, and communities build healthier landscapes, healthier lives, and stronger communities. Media Contact Niki Buchanan Program Assistant, Agriculture and Natural Resources Master Gardener Coordinator UGA Extension Cobb County 678 South Cobb Drive, Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30060 770 528 4074 niki.buchanan@uga.edu
Grow Virtually Summer/Fall 2026 Expand your gardening “know how” by attending Grow Virtually, our live and online horticultural education series presented free via ZOOM. To register simply click on the webinar title, scan the QR code or go to our website: www.cobbmastergardeners.com. Tuesday, August 18, 2026 7 pm – 8 pm Get out there! The Health Benefits of Gardening There are many benefits to gardening besides growing vegetables and beautiful flowers. Master Gardener, Kathy Bergwall will discuss the many ways time in your garden can help you live a longer and healthier life. Spread the word! Tuesday, September 15, 2026 7 pm – 8 pm Fascinating Fungi Join Sam Landes of the Mushroom Club of Georgia, as he takes us through the fascinating world of mushrooms. Learn how to grow mushrooms at home as well as the innovative ways mushrooms are being cultivated today. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 7 pm – 8 pm Digging Deeper: Join the Citizen Scientist Movement via iNaturalist Nature is full of discoveries waiting to be documented. UGA Cobb County Program Assistant Wes Hatch will dig into the iNaturalist app, designed to empower us to become citizen scientists. We will learn how our observations make meaningful impacts on conservation and scientific research here and throughout the world. We especially encourage students, middle school age and up to attend! Gardening
Have you ever wondered when and how to divide perennial plants? Do you want to improve the look of overcrowded beds or poor performing plants? Come join Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County at East Cobb Regional Library to learn the best time as well as the how’s & whys of dividing plants? It’s FREE with door prizes, raffles and some plants to take home too! Come join the fun! East Cobb Regional Library Tuesday, August 11, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 pm 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 510-B Marietta, GA 30068 West Cobb Regional Library Tuesday, September 8, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 pm 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane NW, Kennesaw, GA 30152 Switzer Library Wednesday, September 16, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 pm 266 Roswell Road St NE, Marietta, GA 30060 South Cobb Regional Library Tuesday, September 29, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 pm 805-Clay Road, Mableton, GA 30126 Mountain View Regional Library Tuesday, October 13, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 pm 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 30066 North Cobb Regional Library Tuesday, November 3, 2026 6:30 – 7:30 pm 3535 Old 41 Highway NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
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Habitat Gardening Academy

September 2 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Butterflies, Moths, and the Plants They Need

Learn how native host plants and nectar sources support butterflies and moths throughout their life cycles. Discover which plants attract these important pollinators and how to create habitat that supports them from caterpillar to adult.

Call Cobb County Extension at 770-528-4070 to Register.