Gardening season will be here before we know it, so now is a perfect time to become a Master Gardener.
There are still several spots available in the 2020 Master Gardener basic training course which begins Jan. 30 in Salina and runs each Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 19. Topics covered in the course include basic botany, soil fertility, insects, diseases, tree and shrub care, vegetables, fruit gardening, native plants and pollinators, wildlife, landscape design and more.
Who are Master Gardeners?
Master Gardeners are K-State Research & Extension volunteers who enjoy cultivating their own plants and gardens while sharing their skills and knowledge with the community around them to help others grow. Master Gardening is a wonderful way to enrich your life and the lives of others.
Why become a Master Gardener?
The decision to become a Master Gardener can be very rewarding. It is a decision to take your horticulture knowledge to the next level, and it is also a commitment to find creative ways to make a difference in our community while sharing that knowledge with the people and places around you.
Training is just one great benefit. Master Gardeners receive a 40-hour-plus horticulture training course from K-State Extension specialists and county Extension agents. The basic training provides a great starting point for those new to gardening, but is also in-depth enough to apply to gardeners of any skill level. Other benefits of being a Master Gardener include the camaraderie of people who share similar passions, receiving ongoing horticulture training and support through K-State Research and Extension, and occasional visits to horticultural places of interest.
What about volunteering?
Once training is complete, Master Gardeners are encouraged to take their knowledge out to the community to share it with others in unique and meaningful ways. First-year Master Gardeners volunteer 40 hours of time and during succeeding years have a commitment of just 20 hours to remain active.
Master Gardener volunteer time can be selected from current Master Gardener projects and can also be tailored to individual abilities and interests. Master Gardeners are encouraged to find their creativity in looking for ways to impact the community. A few activities many Master Gardeners enjoy volunteering on include: the demonstration garden, gardening with kids, county fairs, educational garden tours and events, and booths at public events.
Fill out your application now
Visit www.centralkansas.ksu.edu to fill out an application and reserve your chair in the upcoming training course. For more information, contact the K-State Research and Extension office at 785-309-5850.