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Educating people where they live and work about horticulture
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers whose job is to educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using readily-available, up-to-date research-based information. This educational effort is designed to enhance the public's quality of life and to promote good stewardship of the environment.
Visit our "Have a Question?" page if you are looking for an answer to a gardening-related question.
In 2006 Master Gardeners completed a total of 1,649 Volunteer Hours. The estimated national dollar value of volunteer time for that year was $18.77 per hour, valuing their volunteer work at $30,951.73 for 2006.
In 2007 Master Gardeners completed a total of 2,227 Volunteer Hours. The estimated national dollar value of volunteer time for that year was $19.51 per hour, valuing their volunteer work at $43,448.77 for 2007.
In 2008 Master Gardeners completed a total of 2,363 Volunteer Hours. The estimated national dollar value of volunteer time for that year was $20.25 per hour, valuing their volunteer work at $47,850.75 for 2008.
These dollar figures quantify the enormous value that our volunteers provide to Crow Wing County. Those are really nice numbers!! Thanks to our volunteers!
The 2008 Master Gardener Annual Report is now available. Download pdf
For more information or to request an application to become a Master Gardener in Crow Wing County, please contact:
Jackie Froemming
COUNTY EXTENSION EDUCATOR
Water Resource Management / Horticulture
COUNTY COORDINATOR
Master Gardener Program
Crow Wing County Extension Office
322 Laurel Street - Suite 22
Brainerd, MN 56401-3500
Phone: (218)824-1068
Fax: (218)824-1066
froem022@umn.edu
Junior Master Gardener Program
A partnership of MN 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology and U of M Extension Master Gardeners
New in 2009!
A total of seven counties in greater Minnesota as well as the Metro area were selected as pilot sites for the Junior Master Gardener Program. Crow Wing County was one of those counties!
What is the JMG Program?
The Junior Master Gardener Program strives to increase Science, Engineering and Technology competencies in youth through gardening based experiences. In addition, young people will learn basic gardening techniques, foster interest in horticulture science, and horticulture industry.
Updates
For updates on this pilot project in Crow Wing County, click the links below:
Junior Master Gardeners of Crow Wing County - Great Green Gardeners!
4-H CWC Great Green Gardeners on ning.com
4-H JMG Pilot Project statewide on ning.com
Our Great Green Gardeners in action!
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
Our Master Gardeners are in the news!
Kiosk landscaping goes from plain to pretty
Lake Country Echo Article, August 6, 2009
Read the article online MG-PaulBunyan-article.pdf
Master Gardener Has Grown to Love Fall
By JODIE TWEED, Staff Writer
BAXTER - Fall is Deb Hoffmann's favorite time of year, which may seem a little odd since the Baxter woman is a master gardener and now most of her beloved plants and flowers are dying.
But there is beauty in fall, too, and Hoffmann spent Saturday afternoon driving around the Brainerd lakes area taking photographs of the changing leaves with her new camera.
"You get a whole new garden because everything takes on a golden look," Hoffmann said. "I love the feel of fall. I love the colors. I love the cooler weather. Me and humidity - we don't get along."
Hoffmann and her husband, Louie, became master gardeners three years ago, a Christmas present to themselves. As one of their master gardener projects this year they spearheaded the project to renovate the horticulture building at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds. More... Brainerd Disptach, September 29, 2008. Download file
Slow Down and Enjoy the Flowers
By Amy Freedman, Staff intern
A faint buzz of activity is bringing life to the now empty Crow Wing County Fairgrounds as workers prepare for the 111th annual Crow Wing County Fair.
The fair begins Tuesday and runs through Saturday in Brainerd. Fair general manager Dale Domrase is ready.
"Every year we try and have something new and different going on at the fair," Domrase said. This year, Domrase is most excited about the updated horticulture building.
Louie Hoffmann, Crow Wing County master gardener, was the project's initiator. Louie built a pergola, a trellis structure that gives shade to plants, last year for the master gardeners. This year, he decided to build a greenhouse for the Brainerd Garden Club.
From there, the project escalated.
Louie remembers thinking, "While we're at it ...," to which wife Deb Hoffmann responded that renovating the horticulture building was "way too big of a project." More... Brainerd Dispatch, July 28, 2008 Download file
Planting the Seeds
By JENNIFER STOCKINGER, Staff Writer
PEQUOT LAKES - April showers are suppose to bring May flowers, but the way this spring is going in the Brainerd lakes area ...
The unpredictable, below-normal temperatures have delayed yard work and work on preparing your gardens for the summer.
Crow Wing County master gardener Jennifer Knutson of rural Pequot Lakes offered several tips on what to do to prepare a healthy lawn in the spring.
Knutson said you shouldn't walk on your grass if it is wet or soggy because this will compact the soil and make it easier for weeds to take over. Once the grass dries and the soil becomes firm, Knutson said you should lightly rake the leaves and dead grass and put them in a compost. Knutson said areas of lawn affected by snow mold also should be gently raked.
"Snow mold is rarely serious, but if it's not taken out it'll take the grass longer to green up," Knutson said. "Salt and sand from the snow plows also should be raked out so grass is not smothered by the sand." More... Brainerd Dispatch, May 2, 2008 Download file
Planting the Seeds
Now is the time to start thinking about herbs
By JENNIFER STOCKINGER
Staff Writer
Cold temperatures and snow-covered land are not good indicators if you're thinking about growing herbs.
In the Brainerd lakes area, the ground is frozen and people are getting cabin fever. But spring will be here before you know it, and last week, about 30 people gathered at the Northland Arboretum for a class on "Growing and Cooking with Herbs."
Crow Wing County master gardener Orv Hastad discussed growing and harvesting herbs. Hastad has been a master gardener for seven years and has been growing herbs organically for more than 20 years. More... Brainerd Disptach, February 29, 2008. Download file
Crow Wing County Master Gardeners are great speakers!
Master Gardeners in Crow Wing County offer public presentations on many different horticulture-related topics.
Your group can request a Master Gardener to present at your meeting, program or any event where there is an audience eager to learn about gardening.
The public presentations offered by Crow Wing County Master Gardeners are scheduled through the Program County Coordinator. Normal scheduling requires at least two weeks advanced notice. Every effort will be made to find a speaker for every request received but please keep in mind that Master Gardeners are volunteers. Usually an honorarium is suggested for a public presentation. Please call the Program County Coordinator for additional information regarding honorarium.
If your group in Crow Wing County is interested in requesting a public presentation by a Crow Wing County Master Gardener please contact Jackie Froemming, Program County Coordinator at (218)824-1068 or at froem022@umn.edu.
Presentation Topics
BULBS
Summer Bulbs
ANNUALS
Container Gardening
PERENNIALS
Growing Perennials
Perennial Maintenance
Favorite Perennials
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES
Ornamental Grasses
ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS AND TREES
FRUITS
VEGETABLES
Growing Vegetables
Heirloom Tomatoes
Victory Gardens - NEW in 2009
Gardening Small: Veggies in Pots and Raised Beds - NEW in 2010
LAWN
Lawn Care
LANDSCAPE
Color Coordinating
Designing Perennial Gardens
ENVIRONMENTAL
Rain Gardens
Rain Barrels
Stormwater Management
Lakeshore Restoration
Composting
Vermicomposting
Mulch Matters
The Green Gardener's Guide - NEW in 2009
OTHERS
Weekend Gardener - Horticulture for Busy People
Lazy Gardener
Low-Maintenance Gardening
Master Gardener Program
Herbs
Wildflowers
Houseplants
Butterfly Gardening
Starting Plants from Seeds
Starting Seeds Indoor
Deer Deterrents
Oh Dear, Deer!
Shade Gardening
Vines
Growing and Using Gourds
Aquatic Plants
Slides of Beautiful Gardens
Spring Garden Preparation / Maintenance
Fall Garden Preparation / Maintenance
The Beekeeper's Garden
Photographing Your Garden
Garden Chores and Aching Joints
Gardening Throughout the Year
Master Gardeners are required to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours the first year and 25 hours annually thereafter. Most often Master Gardeners volunteer many more hours than what is required of them.
In 2006 Master Gardeners completed a total of 1,649 Volunteer Hours. The estimated national dollar value of volunteer time for that year was $18.77 per hour, valuing their volunteer work at $30,951.73 for 2006.
In 2007 Master Gardeners completed a total of 2,227 Volunteer Hours. The estimated national dollar value of volunteer time for that year was $19.51 per hour, valuing their volunteer work at $43,448.77 for 2007.
In 2008 Master Gardeners completed a total of 2,363 Volunteer Hours. The estimated national dollar value of volunteer time for that year was $20.25 per hour, valuing their volunteer work at $47,850.75 for 2008.
These dollar figures quantify the enormous value that our volunteers provide to Crow Wing County.
Crow Wing County Master Gardeners participate in many different types of volunteer work like community beautification projects, community educational projects and community environmental projects. Listed below are some of our past and current projects:
Beautification Projects
Educational Projects
Environmental Projects
Miscellaneous Activities