Out
On A Limb / January 2006
Gardners Reap Rewards
The 2006 Wood County Master Gardener course will be held Thursdays at the Vienna Public Library from 6:30-9:30 beginning March 2nd with an introduction to the Master Gardener Program and Basics of Botany. The annual ten-week class offers a wealth of growing information for new or experienced gardeners.
Specialists, guest lecturers and an extensive manual assembled by the WVU Extension Service cover topics including basic botany, plant propagation, pesticides, plant diseases, home gardening, soils and fertilizers, perennials, fruit, turf grass management and other horticultural topics. Students are encouraged to ask questions, submit soil samples for testing and share their gardening experiences with the class.
According to Suzanne Watson, President of the Wood County Master Gardeners, “The class is open to anyone. But, we invite all of the participants to continue their education as a certified Master Gardener, expanding their knowledge and sharing it with their local community. In the year after completing the course, graduates practice what they have learned with thirty hours of volunteer work in public education or beautification. Every year after that, Master Gardeners volunteer twelve hours in work for the community and take six hours of continuing education.” Suzie says, “The Master Gardener Association is a service and education organization that was created to increase and share horticultural knowledge. Master Gardeners help their friends, neighbors and community while broadening their own horizons-and making their own gardens more beautiful.”
There are over 900 active Master Gardeners in the thirty-three WV counties that have established Master Gardener programs. The local groups often have long-term special projects as well as their educational activities, and appear at public fairs and events providing plant answers and assistance throughout the community.
The special project of the Wood County Master Gardeners is the Edison School arboretum, a twelve acre site behind the school. Master Gardeners have cleared paths, paved and fenced the arboretum and are developing signage and displays for public tours.
Master Gardeners have also contributed their time to Blennerhassett Island, the Julianna-Ann Square Historical District, the YWCA and the Williamstown Welcome Center.
The Master Gardener course is $100, which includes the detailed WVU manual and thirty hours of instruction. Class dates are March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, April 6, 13, 20 and 27 with student presentations on May 4th.
The Master Gardener application and registration fee should be received by February 1, 2006. Call the WVU extension office, 304-424-1960 for applications or more information. Checks are payable to Wood County Master Gardeners and should be mailed to the WVU Extension Office, Suite 401 Courthouse, Parkersburg WV 26101.
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