I was just wondering how many of you have taken any official classes on gardening/horticulture? Do we have any "Master Gardner's"?

I just sent a question to my local extension office and was browsing the site. It has the Master Gardner program info and I was wondering whether it was something I'd be interested in. Or, if I'd like to take a class at the local college (at my age?-OMG).

Forensic mom, I was just thinking the other day how I would love to take some gardening classes. Do the local extension offices offer classes or was that the question you were asking them.

I was really just asking if anyone has taken classes anywhere before. My local extension office has something listed about a Master Gardner club but I didn't look too much at it this time. I might talk to someone about it. I'm not even really sure what a "Master Gardner" is.

F-mom TOOTS is a Master Gardener!!! ......LOL.....not sure if she has taken classes BUT this lady knows her stuff when it comes to gardening!
We can find anything we need to know about gardening or whatever right here on this machine we are looking at or from someone like Toots.... No "offical" degree BUT if you need info........it's here......

there's quite a number of us here that are MG's..... and the classes are quite helpful.... great for folks who like to know 'why' and 'how' and 'what'.... everything from soil to landscape planning.... bugs and diseases to hybrids.... I would encourage anyone to take the course and become an MG..... the volunteer work after graduating the course is a blast, too.....and there's continuing education to be had... lectures... plant sales... it's all good .....

Thanks Toots. I was really thinking about taking some type of class in the fall. I'm still limited on time since I have little ones. This fall I will have a little more time since she'll be in pre-school 3 days a week.

I completed all the requirements for my Advanced Master Gardener certification in 2003 and in the course work for both the MG and AMG found some instructors really interesting and others a real bore. But overall the classes were good. The turf grass instructor, the same guy for both classes, was the most interesting because he took us out into the field (so to speak) and we looked at turf grasses and learned to identify the different species, while the vegetable growing instructor was a real bore because he talked about commercially growing veggies, not stuff the average backyard gardener could, or would use. However the 500 pound manual we got was loaded with good information.

hmmmmmm toots and kimmsr are peaking my interest in this subject! Is 51 to old to think about this??? .....

shoot no..... mgt's one, too... I did my classes four yrs ago at the ripe old 56.... go for it!!...

Can I ask where you took these classes? Was it through the local extension office?

our local cooperative extension has all day saturday classes 2x a year but it is basic stuff that most of us already know.
But I'd love to take the MG course if I ever had the time. I've always admired you, Toots, for doing that!
You also have to volunteer during the month to man, or should I say, woman the phones or the like, don't you?
Whenever our CE has it's annual plant sale, I am usually disappointed by those in charge of it all, although there usually is at least 1 "Expert"....they certainly can use a few more of you Toots!

Kimm, I figured you and Toots were MG..but have not paid much attention to some of the post of others mentioned. I admire anybody who betters themselves with knowledge. Sometimes trial and error can also be the best teacher but it might save some money in the long run by taking the MG courses.

jvelo.... volunteer work can be manning the phones at the extension office or giving lectures at the schools, or working at the botanical garden, or at the plant sales or any number of other things that they have us do.... and you can pick what you'd like to do best....like me, I cannot speak in front of a crowd, so lecturing isn't my thing.... but I like the phones.... and I like the sales and I love the bot garden and the test gardens..... so I stayed busy.... I don't do much any more... but I sure wish I could........so I hang around on the pooter and try to help out here and there......

I completed my MG certification January of 2005.... have really had a great time, not only working with homeowners, but the volunteer work is a great social thing with others who enjoy your favorite subject.... gardening!

Our group recently held classes for homeowners, I lead one of the classes about composting and vermiposting... had a blast!

I strongly recommend the MG course for anyone who is truly interested in not only learning, but sharing and giving something back to the community.

Maryland has a great Master Gardener program. Actually this year they are celebrating their 30th anniversary. The program affords lots of educational opportunities for all things horticultural as well as plant swaps and info sharing. I recommend you check out the info on their website at http://www.hgic.umd.edu/
where you will be able to get the contact info for your county.

I forgot to mention that we are to provide 20 hours of volunteer hours per year as community service. Half of that is made up of time at the monthly meetings. My favorite vol activity is judging the hort entries at the county fair. I also help with an after-school garden club at a nearby elementary school which runs 6 weeks in the fall and another 6 in the spring. I turned in my 20 hours at the end of March. By the end of the year, I have done about 100 hours. I do enjoy being a MG,

Here in Chattanooga they offer MG classes twice a year, and require 4o hours (I think) of volunteer time. The classes are all-day Saturday classes, but since I work for a car dealer all day on Saturday's, I have not been able to attend. I would love to go, and someday I will!
I take all the training and testing I can for my job, and I am proud to be a woman with ASE (Automotive Service Excellance) certs in parts and service.
I am firm believer that you can never learn enough.

Someday I will learn to spell! <grin>
**excellence**

I wish i could take a class too. Now the question is, will they help me not to kill my gardenias

Please dont remind me I do not know how treat them. I am sad and depressed already

I have a quick question .. I am wondering what is the best time to water your grass? Thanks so much.