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A love of gardening, a search for knowledge and a desire to share that knowledge with others is central to why people join the Master Gardener program. They remain Master Gardeners to enjoy the friendship of others who share their interests, to gain and share research-based horticultural knowledge and to give back to the community through their volunteer commitment.
If combining your passion for people and plants sounds appealing, you may be a good Master Gardener candidate. A formal education in horticulture isn’t necessary—we will provide the training and resources to help you teach others. There are five steps to becoming a Master Gardener – each step is described in more detail below.
In the Garden with Extension Educator Larry Zilliox, May 22, 2008
Lilacs along with roses are some of our more aromatic flowers. Who doesn't remember their childhood spent at grandmother's when the lilacs were blooming? That aroma was imprinted on my brain and I have associated spring with blooming lilacs ever since. We also use the blooming time as a phenology indicator that our soils have warmed up enough to plant warm season vegetable crops in the garden.
Continue reading "Lilac—Spring's Aromatic Flower" »
In the Garden with Extension Educator Larry Zilliox, May 15, 2008
We know spring has arrived by looking at our lawns and seeing bright yellow flowers. The dandelions are putting on their annual show. Kids love the plant, picking it and rubbing it on their friend's cheeks leaving a buttery yellow color. Adults hate them because they are a sign of a neglected yard. Our dander really gets up when the seeds start blowing into our yard.
Continue reading "Dandelion Time" »
In the Garden with Extension Educator Larry Zilliox, May 5, 2008
A recent article peaked my interest in the Yard and Garden News on the University of Minnesota Extension website by Charlie Rohwer and Chris Currey where graduate students in the Department of Horticulture posed this question "How do plants know when it is spring?" The article seemed appropriate to the recent late season snowstorm and the below normal temperatures that followed.
Continue reading "Is it Spring Yet?" »
In the Garden with Extension Educator Larry Zilliox
April 28, 2008
Now that it has dried up and warmed up people are getting out and assessing winters damage to their plants. One of the first things they are noticing is the browning of foundation evergreens. The severe cold along with the strong winds last winter caused the needles to dry out and in some cases die. People are saying that the plants look orange and the needles are dry.