The 2012 Fall Flower and Garden Fest in Crystal Springs is scheduled Friday and next Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. I was down there last week and they have the trial gardens in great shape with luscious vegetables, herbs and ornamentals.

The Warren County Master Gardeners have the shade garden cleaned, trimmed and ready for a walk-through and the schedule of speakers has been finalized for this 2-day event, which drew 6,000 people last year.

Vendors will sell plants and garden-related items and food booths will offer a variety of selections for lunch — my favorite being the Mississippi Cattleman’s Association rib-eye steak sandwiches.

If you have never made the trip to Crystal Springs for this event, you are in for a treat and lots of excellent gardening information. There is no charge to attend or for parking and if you bring ½ cup of soil, they will even do a free pH test.

The Warren County Master Gardeners are the only volunteer group to have established a permanent display garden at the Crystal Springs Experiment Station. Most of the plants in the garden were transplanted from the home gardens of local master gardeners over a decade ago.

It was established in order to show attendees various shrubs, vines, ground covers, annuals and perennials which do well in shade conditions in a home-garden setting.

Gravel paths wind through the area and most of the plant material is labeled. A good handout will be available listing shade-tolerant plants plus master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.

Bring a plant for the plant swap coordinated by the Madison County Master Gardeners but remember: The swap is limited to two plants per person. All plants must be well-rooted or established (Not dug that day). Plants swapped will be of comparable size or desirability and bulbs can be swapped but not seeds.

Seminars are popular with attendees and are given by Mississippi State University faculty, Extension Service personnel and invited guests. They are always informative.