Garden name: Demonstration and Educational Gardens at Ellington Agricultural Center
Location: Directly behind the Tennessee Extension Central Region Office building (5201 Marchant Dr, Nashville, 37211) on the campus of Ellington Agricultural Center. Please note: There is not a sign that says “Demonstration & Educational Gardens” out front. Look for the Metrology Building.
What grows here: The main area of the garden features a beautiful rain garden erected to mitigate and correct erosion which is surrounded by an outdoor classroom as well as a variety of technique-based beds, including an herb garden, shade garden, vertical garden, fairy garden and our award-winning square foot garden.
A quick walk around the garden will take you to a southern cottage garden, a perennial garden featuring many native plants, the bee nectar garden featuring plants that provide nectar and pollen for the many species of bees in our area, the butterfly garden planted with nectar and host plants for butterflies, the gazebo which is planted with daffodils, iris, clematis and knockout roses, and the satellite dish garden which provides xeriscape gardening ideas, and a three-dash bin compost exhibit. A monarch waystation and other changes are in the works.
What’s special about this place: This is the signature project of the Master Gardeners of Davidson County. This is where we show people what can be grown in this climate, through our handiwork and through educational programming.
What you need to know about volunteering here: Workdays are every Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 12 noon, spring to fall. Bring a mask for instances where proper social distancing isn't available.
Contact: Shirley Lee, 615-423-9366 or mamajanlee@yahoo.com.
What else should you see when you are here: The Ellington Agricultural Center is a beautiful, mammoth site with walking trails, museums, horse barns and more. It is home to the Heirloom Garden at the Tennessee Agriculture Museum, which is also maintained by Master Gardeners of Davidson County. There’s also an Iris Garden maintained by the Middle Tennessee Iris Society.