Master Gardener Classes just in time for spring

I strongly suspect that most people are like me…after the Polar Vortex, snow, and multiple ice storms, I am ready for spring.  The promise of nice, warm, sunny spring days ahead really sounds good.

I also look forward to teaching another year of Master Gardener classes. As MU Extension Horticulturists, we enjoy meeting and teaching other people who share our enthusiasm with growing plants.

To become a Master Gardener, you don’t have to be an expert. All that is required is an interest in gardening, and a desire to serve your community using your gardening skills.

Before someone is certified as a Master Gardener, they must undergo extensive training for 11 classes. Master Gardeners are taught about all aspects of gardening. Topics include plant growth, soils, diseases, insects, fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and many others.

After they graduate, Master Gardeners are required to fulfill 30 hours of service to the community. That’s really not too difficult. Every month, Master Gardeners meet as a group at several locations, and come up with volunteer projects to work on.

Master Gardeners include adults of all ages and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have extensive knowledge, and others come ready to learn. But they all have two traits in common: a love of gardening and a desire to help others.

And Master Gardening is a lot of fun as well. Our monthly meetings are an enjoyable time to get together with fellow gardeners, and learn from each other.

In late March and early April, University of Missouri Extension will be starting another series of training classes. We will be meeting on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6 to 9 p.m., at several locations around Northwest Missouri. Right now, plans call for classes in St. Joseph, Plattsburg, and Albany.

Master Gardeners receive a core manual of class topics from University of Missouri Extension. This will be included with your registration fee in electronic form on a USB flash drive. The cost for the training classes will be $110. If spouses attend together, the cost for the couple will be $195 if a second core manual is not required. The Grounds for Gardening notebook and the Core MG Manual will cost extra, if paper copies are desired.

For more information about Master Gardening, and a registration form, please call Tim Baker in Gallatin at 660-663-3232, or Tom Fowler in St. Joseph at 816-279-1691. The deadline for registration is March 26. You may also register and find more information on our web site at: http://extension.missouri.edu/nwhort/mgclass.aspx.