Each year, you plant some flowers, maybe a tomato plant or two.
That makes you a gardener, right?
Sure, but probably one who still has a lot to learn. That’s where a master gardener steps in.
Master gardeners help to inform and educate average folks about gardening practices, said Annette MaCoy, Penn State Extension coordinator who oversees the Master Gardener program in Pennsylvania. The concept began in 1972 in Seattle and since has spread around the country.
“An extension agent was inundated each spring with requests from home gardeners,” she explained. “It was his idea to train volunteers and utilize their knowledge and skills to assist him in answering those questions.”
In Pennsylvania, 63 counties have Master Gardener programs, totaling more than 3,000 volunteers. Locally, the program began in 1988 in Cumberland County and in 2006 in Perry County, where there are currently 14 active master gardeners.
This month, you can see the fruits of their labors at the 2016 Country Garden & Art Tour, which includes a tour of gardens cultivated by Perry County master gardeners, paired with art from the Perry County Council of the Arts.
Perfect Place
A master gardener is not your garden-variety gardener.
“The program is only for those avid gardeners who are willing to make a long-term commitment to volunteer service,” said MaCoy. “Not all applicants are accepted.”
The process begins with a written application, a test of general gardening knowledge and a personal interview. Those accepted into the program must attend a minimum of 40 hours of training by expert horticulturists.
In the first year following training, aspiring master gardeners are required to complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service at approved activities and demonstration gardens. If all requirements are completed, the trainee becomes a certified Penn State Master Gardener. Each year thereafter, master gardeners must contribute a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer service and obtain at least 10 hours of approved continuing education.
This month’s Country Garden & Art Tour will be the perfect place to see the work of the masters as they show off their personal gardens—and even to meet a few.
There will be six gardens on the tour, including native plant, perennial, vegetable, flower and fruit gardens. The Perry County Extension Demonstration Garden in New Bloomfield also will be open to spread knowledge about herbs, pollinator plants and native perennials. Master gardener docents will be available at each stop for tours and to answer questions about plant varieties and best practices.
To make the tour extra special, PCCA artists will set up at each location, demonstrating their art or craft—painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry making, fiber arts and fine woodworking.
Best Practices
Susan Smith is one of Perry County’s master gardeners and has become a leader in the local farming community.
“I became a member of the Master Gardener program in 2006, having been involved in farming and gardening without any formal training for decades,” she said. “Starting that first year, our small group set up free workshops on a variety of subjects, including soil evaluation, composting and starting and cultivating seeds.”
Smith appreciated the education that the Penn State Extension program provided during her training.
“What I really enjoy is the extensive sharing of information and best practices between master gardeners, as well as discussions around building successful programs,” she said.
Examples of these programs include “How to Extend the Growing Season with Low Tunnels,” “Learning about Invasive Plants” and “Native Bees and Pollinator Habitat.”
“We can also obtain update training by the Internet, so I don’t have to travel to hear programs,” she said.
Are you interested in becoming a master gardener? If so, the basic training will be held in our region beginning in August. Applications for the Cumberland and Perry County program are being accepted through June 16. For more information or to receive an application form and basic training information, contact MaCoy at ahm11@psu.edu or call 717-240-6500.
GOING THERE
The Country Garden and Art Tour will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 1 to 6 p.m. The tour book is $10 in advance or $12 on the day of the tour.
Tickets may be purchased at a number of places including Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouses, Butcher’s Farm Market in Newport, the Cooperative Extension Office in Carlisle, Dauphin or New Bloomfield, Espresso Yourself Café in Newport, the Perry County Council of the Arts Gallery in Newport and the Rosemary House and Gardens in Mechanicsburg.
For more information about the tour, visit www.extension.psu.edu/perry or www.perrycountyarts.org or call 717-582-5150.
Don Helin published his first thriller, “Thy Kingdom Come,” in 2009. His second, “Devil’s Den,” was published in 2012. His third, “Secret Assault,” was selected as the best suspense/thriller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards. His most recent thriller, “Angel’s Revenge,” was recently published. Contact Don at www.donhelin.com.
