Many Hall County gardeners, new and old, are ready for color in their landscape after a long, cold winter.

And on Friday, the Spring Garden Expo offered plenty of options to get them started.

“We have a huge variety of plants, garden art (and) metalwork,” said Mike Carson, vice president of the Hall County Master Gardeners, which puts on the event. “And we have three outstanding speakers that will be here Saturday.”

Held Friday and today at the Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, the event drew a record 63 vendors from across the Southeast.

But what makes the expo special, according to Carson, is the Hall County Master Gardeners.

“This is a group of volunteers that gave 18,000 hours back to Hall County last year,” Carson said. “Which was the most out of any Master Gardener Association in the state of Georgia.”

Carson said he believes the event can be a good opportunity for people to learn about gardening.

“We have a Master Gardener booth set up where folks can ask questions about plants, grasses, trees or whatever is on their mind,”Carson said.

Flowery Branch resident and Master Gardener Mindy Wade was one of those answering questions Friday.

“This is so much fun to do,” she said. “Seeing all of the plants and all of the people and talking to everybody — and the beautiful weather and great facility — this is the most fun event of the year.”

Pam Keene, a vendor and Hall County Master Gardener, said the event is “like a one-stop shop” for gardeners.

It’s also a place to buy art, she said. Art for sale at the expo included photography, sculptures and art made from glass windows.

Gainesville resident Jewell Holtzclaw, a veteran customer of the expo, came for “all of the beautiful flowers.”

“I love to look at different things,” she said.

Wade said many are more eager to plant this spring, though she cautioned fall is a better time to plant some varieties.

“We have all been through a long winter, and we are all ready for some color and some greenery,” Wade said.