April is Gardening Month

Since this is the last day of April, I could not forget to speak about that this is the starting month of gardening. This year has been a very rough weather time, and spring is the best time to do gardening. But where is the best place to get plants? The Master Gardener of Douglas County every year have their annual gardening sale. This year gardening sale is on this coming Saturday, May 5th, from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. There will be a large variety of perennials, shrubs, annuals, herbs, and vegetables--many ‘old favorites’ and some ‘hard to find’ plants. Proceeds benefit a variety of causes throughout Douglas County including the group’s garden for ‘Feed the Hungry.’ The sale will be at the Master Gardener’s greenhouse located adjacent to the Woodie Fite Senior Center at 8750 Dorris Road in Douglasville, 30134.

I am so honored in being a Volunteer Master Gardener, and I have received lots of questions about how to become a Master Gardener. You can obtain an application through your local Extension Office. The only requirement is that you have an interest in some aspect of gardening and, at the conclusion of training, are willing to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours of service to the county Extension program in your county. The minimum hours of service differ from state county Extension program.

Acceptance of the applicant is based upon local county program needs. Upon approval, applicants are notified of the location and time that classes will take place. A fee is charged to cover the materials & facilities during training. In order to graduate, class attendance is required, and you must pass a mid-term and final exam.

The Master Gardener program is coordinated in each county by an Extension agent, and each applicant is responsible to him/her for all classes, volunteer work, etc.

Master Gardeners promote, inform, and work with communities, political leaders, and commercial firms by:

Answering gardening questions at county fairs, garden centers, flower shows, libraries, shopping centers, and the Extension office.
Designing & installing community landscape & beautification projects.
Identifying plant cultural problems, insects, & diseases.
Teaching communities how to conserve & enjoy their natural resources.
And so much more.....