GARDEN GUIDANCE
by Yvonne Bushey, Master Gardener Volunteer

Gardening has always been a part of my life. Mom fed our family of eight children with a full garden of all the vegetables and fruits. We planted, cultivated, picked, canned and froze the produce for the winter months while enjoying the fresh during the summer months. In addition, she had flowers, both annuals planted at the edges of the vegetable garden and perennial beds. With Dad’s help, we had a large orchard with apple, plum, pear, cherry and peach trees and grape vines and planted many trees for a wood lot... Yes, we were busy but the joy of eating fresh foods, working together for a common purpose, and low grocery bills gave us much pleasure. Today I truly appreciate all we did and learned with the family gardening.

A few years ago I signed up and took the Master Gardening Series offered by Michigan State University Extension here in Huron County. It was a joy to be in a classroom setting with fellow eager participants studying the units on Plant Science, Soils, Flowering Gardening, Woody Ornamentals, Lawn Care, Vegetable Culture, Small Fruit Culture, Tree Fruit Culture, Plant Health Care, Household Pests and Indoor Plants. Again this fall, the Master Gardening Series will be offered, September 10 to October 15, 2011, with double session Saturdays, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (only half the trips, thus saving on gas) at the MSU Extension Office, 37 Austin Street, Sandusky, MI. Cost is $250, with scholarships available to Huron County residents. Call Carol Holtrop at 989-553-2992 for more information on financial help. What a great opportunity to begin learning or to learn more and share with other excited gardeners the science of creating gardens, landscapes, orchards, tree lots and caring for our environment.

In addition, we invite you to stop by the Master Gardeners’ Wildlife display garden at the Huron Community Fair July 25-30. Much information will be available on various aspects of gardening. This year’s theme is game birds.

Happy Gardening!

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.