Speakers
The 2026 Aiken Garden Show will feature interesting and informative speakers. Plan to join us in the parlor of the Aiken County Historical Museum to learn the best way to design, grow, maintain, and enjoy your garden.
May 15: Cheyl Murga
9 AM to 10 AM
Cheryl Murga, BA, MS is a retired science educator living a Zen life in Aiken since 2018. An avid gardener, self-educated herbalist and forager, she enjoys bringing her knowledge of the natural world to others. Her background includes running a grant-based community and teaching garden for over 15 years in NJ. She was honored for her garden curriculum used in teaching science and math, as well as student extension programs with Rutgers University. She works on projects with the Master Gardeners, instructs at USC Aiken and leads hikes throughout the CSRA. Cheryl is also a yoga instructor and long-time meditation practitioner; she has a deep understanding of how the body and mind connect to the earth. She strives to support the common good and bring out the best in others by offering her services through outreach and enrichment programs in the community. While Cheryl’s heart is in the garden, she also enjoys creative arts, traveling and hiking.
Current Workshops & Programs:
- Steeped in Knowledge: The Art of the Brew
- Fungi Walk and Talk
- Beyond the Vase & Spice Rack: using flowers & herbs in a variety of ways
- Foraging 101, 102
- Redcliffe Plantation African
- Heritage Garden project
- Aiken Agi Art Tour: Herbs of Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad
- Yoga in the Garden
- Senior Chair Yoga (Mat, Private & Virtual programs are offered)
- Women’s Summits
- Aiken Lifelong Learning/USC: Mindfulness & Meditation
- Aiken Lifelong Learning/USC: ICED – in case of emergency or death
- Rake it, turn it, toss it, plant it! – Garden Prep Fall or Spring
- Terrarium Therapy
Steeped in Knowledge: The Art of the Brew
Speaker will present an overview of the history and origins of tea. Participants will learn about selecting herbs and flowers for planting a tea garden. The methods for preserving herbs and flowers, blending techniques for a variety of tea types, proper brewing and health benefits will be discussed.
May 16: Brie Arthur: THE FOODSCAPE REVOLUTION
9 AM to 10 AM
Welcome to the world of “Foodscaping” led by bestselling author Brie Arthur. Drawing from the wisdom within her books, she will ignite your creativity and transform the way you view vegetable gardening. Prepare for an exploration of culinary and floral harmony, as she reveals the art of pairing edibles with the most exquisite flowers for your region, including native perennials. Discover easy planting techniques that infuse your landscape with beauty and bounty, all while deterring pesky intruders like deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and voles. In this dynamic and informative presentation, Brie will guide you through insights, leaving attendees invigorated and prepared to embark on their own foodscape journey. Get ready to sow the seeds of inspiration and revolutionize your approach to gardening!
Brie Arthur Bio
Brie Arthur is a bestselling author and horticulturist known for inspiring gardeners to reimagine their landscapes with creativity and purpose. A Purdue University graduate with over two decades of experience, she is the author of The Foodscape Revolution and Gardening with Grains, championing beautiful, productive gardens that blend ornamentals and edibles. A longtime contributor to the Emmy-winning PBS series Growing a Greener World, Brie makes science-based horticulture accessible, practical, and fun.
A Soil³ ambassador and creator of the YouTube channel Brie the Plant Lady, she connects with gardeners nationwide while advocating for science-based practices focused on healthy soils and sustainability. Brie is a past president and current International Delegate of the International Plant Production Society and continues to inspire through hands-on workshops, virtual programs, and education-driven outreach through her home gardens and greenhouse in Raleigh, NC.