October 28, 2009

Growing Green
with Extension Educator Robin Trott

Becoming a Master Gardener

As the garden season draws to a close, you might be asking yourself, “Now what?” Might I suggest becoming a Master Gardener? The Minnesota Master Gardener program has been around since 1977. Master Gardener volunteers receive home horticulture training in exchange for volunteer time. This training enables MG volunteers to be effective resources in their local communities. Working with their local Extension office, Master Gardener activities benefit schools, community education programs, garden centers, farmer’s markets, historical sites and many other programs.

The 2010 Master Gardener Core Course is going to be offered four different ways:

• St. Paul Campus, University of MN: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, January 12-February 6, 2010
• Pine City: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, January 26 – February 20, 2010
• Mankato: 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, February 20 – March 30, 2010 (no class March 20)
• Online: 17 weeks beginning January 12 and ending May 7, 2010 (class topics and instructors change weekly.)

The core course will be taught by members of the University of Minnesota Extension and horticulture department faculty of the University of Minnesota. Class topics include fruit, ground covers, herbaceous plants, home landscaping, house plants, insects, lawns, pesticide safety issues, plant diseases, pruning, soils, structure and function of plants, trees, shrubs and vines, vegetables, water quality, wildlife, and yard waste management.

The cost for the course work as a Master Gardener is $200.00, (the online Core Course is an additional $50.00) plus a signed commitment for a minimum return of 50 hours of community service to the Master Gardener Program during 2010. Registration is by application and acceptance into the county program.

We are currently accepting applications through the end of the year. If you are interested in becoming a master gardener, or would like more information, please call me at 320-762-3890.

Looking forward to working with you in the coming year! As always, happy gardening!

“There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling.”

~Mirabel Osler