The Gulf Coast Research & Extension Center will host a series of engaging gardening workshops this spring, offering local enthusiasts the chance to enhance their gardening skills through hands-on activities and expert guidance.

Titled "Tuesdays with Master Gardeners," the workshops will run from 6-7:30 p.m. each Tuesday in March, at the center located at 8300 Hwy. 104 in Fairhope. The cost is $10 per evening, payable by cash or check at the door.

March 4 kicks off the series with "How to Prepare Your Garden for Success." Auburn University Extension Agent Carmen Flammini will lead the session, teaching participants how to improve soil fertility and choose the best soil-less media for their garden. Attendees will also engage in hands-on activities.

On March 11, participants will dive into "How to Multiply Your Plants through Propagation." Karon Pennington, along with Baldwin County Extension Master Gardeners and Extension Professionals, will demonstrate various propagation techniques, including those for seeds, cuttings, and succulents.

The series continues on March 18 with "Nature-Based Solutions in the Home Landscape." Architect Rebecca Dunn Bryant, who specializes in Permaculture Design, will share strategies for creating sustainable home landscapes that support biodiversity, filter stormwater and provide other environmental benefits. The session will also include a participatory design activity to guide attendees in laying out planting beds, walkways and integrating native plants.

The final workshop, "The Importance of Using Native Plants in Your Landscape," will be held on March 25. Certified Wildlife Biologist and Botanist Gena Todia will discuss the essential role of native plants in local ecosystems and their importance for wildlife. The session will also touch on invasive species and their negative impact on local habitats.

In addition to the workshops, the Baldwin County Master Gardeners will host their annual "Master Gardener Plant Sale" from April 10-12 at the Weeks Bay Reserve, located off Hwy 98 in Fairhope. This sale will offer an array of plants for local gardeners looking to enrich their landscapes.

For those with gardening questions, the Baldwin County Master Gardeners' Helpline is available at (877) 252-4769 or online at www.aces.edu.