GARDEN GUIDANCE
by Carol Holtrop, Master Gardener Coordinator

The Master Gardener volunteer program at Michigan State University Extension receives many and varied requests for information throughout the year. Residents call or visit the office with samples and questions ranging from lawn care concerns to insect problems (both the indoor and outdoor varieties) to fruit and ornamental trees and everything in between. Each season in each year seems to bring its own special topic or problem. Master Gardeners volunteer to answer questions at the MSUE office, at their booth at the Huron Community Fair in August and at the various activities they sponsor, such as the Perennial Plant Sale and Garden Walk.

The next opportunity for Master Gardeners to offer education and a fun, learning experience is their fourth annual Spring Into Gardening Conference to be held on Saturday, March 25, at the Ubly Heights Country Club in Ubly. This year's speakers and their topics are: Mark Torregrossa, StormCenter25 Meteorologist (The Basics of Weather); Larry Kanaby, San Toshi Bonsai Society (Bonsai -- Part 2); Dian McConnel (Heritage Gardening); Coleen French, the French Garden Creations (Herbal First Aid and DIY Herbal Soap); Jerry Somalski, Bay Landscaping (Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs and Landscape Architecture - What is it?); Dave Moore, Stone Cottage Gardens (Composting Topic); Mary Moore, Stone Cottage Gardens (Daylily Forms); Kim Francis, Country Gardens Designs (Just Say 'No' to Bambi and Thumper and Shade Gardening). Our keynote speaker for the day will be Nancy Szerlag, Detroit News garden writer. Ms. Szerlag will discuss "Hot New Plants for 2006" and "Indispensable Garden Tools."

Participants come from all across Michigan to enjoy the speakers and learn valuable tips from them and fellow attendees. If this sounds like a wonderful experience to you and you would like to receive information and a registration form, call 989-269-9949 or email msue32@msu.edu to leave your name and address.

You may be wondering why you should become a Master Gardener. The best reason I can give is because you will enjoy it! Whether you enjoy learning more as you garden, whether you want to share your love of horticultural things with others or enjoy the challenge of planning and organizing horticultural events, you'll find plenty to do in the Master Gardener Program.

You don't need to be a professional to be a Master Gardener. The program attracts many people at all levels of gardening experience, but the one thing they have in common is a love of growing things, whether trees, flowers, vegetable, fruit or houseplants. You will have the opportunity to gather with them at the monthly meetings held in Bad Axe. Here you will plan upcoming events, share ideas and ask questions on horticultural experiences. Most Master Gardeners are finding it interesting to see how Mother Nature affects the growth of their plants - and the insects and diseases that accompany the sometimes less-than-desirable weather patterns thrown at us.

If you think you would like to get in on the fun and learning of this program, consider taking the Master Gardener Series. Registration deadline for the series is January 6, so don't hesitate. Call the Master Gardener office at 989-269-9949 or email them at msue32@msu.edu to let them know you want to find out how to sign up. Happy Gardening!