NATCHEZ — The Adams County Master Gardeners want people to don their gardening gloves and join the group for a crape myrtle demonstration this week.

The crape myrtle care demonstration will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Natchez-Adams County Airport, where the master gardeners will tend to nearly 40 crape myrtles while showing attendees how to do it themselves.

“The main focus of master gardeners is to teach,” Adams County Master Gardeners member Rita Tebbetts said.

Tebbetts said she and her mentor, Joanne King, are excited to demonstrate the proper way to prune crape myrtles and offer some tips for propagating.

Airport Director Ron Hall and his crew, Tebbets said, would also attend to learn how to maintain the crape myrtles on site.

“The (crape myrtles) at the airport are in good condition, they just need some sprucing up,” Tebbetts said.

Tebbetts, who has been a Master Gardener since 2005, called seeing these illustrious trees trimmed properly a passion of hers, one that she is happy to share with others.

Crape myrtles maintain their beauty even when not in bloom, Tibbetts said, but often people will trim the trees improperly during this time.

“We just want to make sure the public learns, because it’s heartbreaking, some of the things we see,” she said.

Those who plan to attend the demonstration are encouraged to bring their own hand pruners, loppers and kneepads, all marked with the owner’s name.

The Natchez-Adams County Airport is located at 434 Airport Road.