Master Gardeners in Washington County

Master Gardeners

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:31:00 -0600

Educating people where they live and work about horticultural best practices

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.

There are more than 100 Master Gardeners who live in Washington County and volunteer several thousand hours each year to educate others. Activities range from teaching Community Education classes, diagnosing plant problems, and answering questions at "Ask a Master Gardener events, on the phone, or by the Internet to helping communities with their environmental issues such as water quality, invasive species, and noxious weeds.

TOPIC INDEX

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:03:49 -0600

Insects & Diseases

Pests

Lawn Care

Vegetable Gardening

Going Beyond the Traditional Row: More Veggies for Less Work

Tree & Shrub Care

Improving Water Quality

Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds

Annual Tasks

Maintaining Your Tools

Have a Gardening Question?

Thu, 22 May 2008 13:11:25 -0600

If you've got questions, we've got answers! Here are several ways you can easily access research-based yard and garden information.
Yard Care & Garden Information in Washington County - Printable Version

Websites
Many University of Minnesota Extension publications are available on the website at www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo. Be sure to look for the latest information in Yard & Garden News.
The Master Gardener Program in Washington County website is http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/washington. While you are here check the calendar of local events, articles, links to other sites, and information about the Master Gardener Program.
You can submit a question and view previous questions and answers online at www.extension.org/horticulture.

University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Yard & Garden desk
Call 952-443-1426 to discuss routine yard care and garden questions with a Master Gardener volunteer. Call anytime and if a Master Gardener is not available just leave a detailed message explaining the problem. A Master Gardener will research the question and call back with an answer.

Join us!

Mon, 19 May 2008 12:53:10 -0600

A love of gardening, a search for knowledge and a desire to share that knowledge with others is central to why people join the University of Minnesota 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.

Application

To become a University of Minnesota Master Gardener in Washington County, you must first apply and be accepted into the program. The application process starts early - we begin sending out applications in September. You can request an application form by e-mailing your contact information to wcmg@umn.edu

Send your completed application to the following address:
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener Program
Andover Regional Center, Suite L-1
550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW
Andover, MN 55304
Email: wcmg@umn.edu

Selected applicants will be interviewed and asked to complete a short test on horticulture. Don't panic -- study materials are provided in advance and no prior horticultural knowledge is required. Following the interview and test, selected candidates are accepted into the program and eligible for the next steps - commitment and training.

Commitment

You agree to volunteer service in exchange for training from the University of Minnesota. You also agree to participate in Master Gardener meetings in your County, where you receive continuing education and learn about new projects and other volunteer opportunities.

Training

Training is held once each year in the metropolitan area in January and February. Master Gardeners attend a 48-hour class at the University of Minnesota known as the "Core Course" or Horticulture 1003 if taken for U of M credit. The course is taught by Extension faculty, and a textbook and mini-reference library are provided to each participant. For more information about the Core Course training, including times, locations, fees, and specific course content, visit the Minnesota Master Gardener page.

Internship

Following completion of Core Course Training, Master Gardener interns are required to do 50 hours of volunteer work and 8 hours of continuing education during their internship year (which ends December 31). We make an effort to ensure that our new interns are placed with other, more seasoned volunteers and we assign a mentor to each new intern. So whether you volunteer at an "Ask a Master Gardener" event, the Diagnostic Clinic or another event, you'll be with knowledgeable, helpful people who will make sure you're not on your own. You'll have fun--and you will learn a lot!

Certification

You'll receive a certificate and name badge designating you as a Master Gardener once you have completed the Core Course and fulfilled your internship requirements.

Remaining Certified
Once certified, Master Gardeners must volunteer a minimum of 25 hours and receive at least 12 hours of approved continuing education each year in order to maintain their certification.

Advanced Training

After you are certified, you are eligible to attend other training programs and workshops. These courses offer more technical information. Advanced training opportunities include:

Tree Care Advisor
Pesticide Applicator
Plant Healthcare Advisors
Household Insects
Shoreline Restoration
Special one-time classes

Prepare to Battle Japanese Beetles

Sun, 18 May 2008 11:04:32 -0600

Japanese beetles have plagued Eastern U. S. gardens for decades. Meanwhile, dimly aware of the insect's destructive potential, Minnesota gardeners battled lesser pests. Sadly, the age of innocence is ending here, especially in the Twin Cities area.

The beetles have been present in Minnesota for several years but populations have been local and numbers relatively low. This year many Twin Cities area gardeners encountered them for the first time and numbers exploded in some places. More of the same is likely to come.

The bronze and green beetles are known to feed on 300-400 kinds of plants. Rose, linden and grape are among their favored hosts. The beetles are gregarious, often gathering in clusters on chosen plants with remarkably destructive effects. Beetle activity peaks mid-July through mid-August.

Boxelder Bugs: House Guests for all Seasons

Sun, 18 May 2008 10:03:32 -0600

When will it end? That's what many Washington County residents are asking about the indoor presence of boxelder bugs.

Although bugs are present every year, they reproduced in such abundance last summer that people who had never seen them before reported masses of bright red nymphs in their yards and gardens by July. In autumn when the hordes of nymphs matured, many swarmed to the south walls of homes, entered through cracks, especially around doors and windows, and retreated to winter hiding places. Although mostly inactive in winter, bugs rouse frequently and show up in living areas.

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Sun, 18 May 2008 10:02:39 -0600

2010 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) "Frequently Asked Questions & Answers"

About Those Garden Chemicals

Sun, 18 May 2008 10:00:07 -0600

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Do you have a shelf full of outdated or partially used garden chemicals in your home? Most gardeners do and because some of the products can be hazardous to people, pets and the environment, risk as well as nuisance accompany their storage.

Fortunately, it is not necessary to spray, dust, spread or broadcast pesticides to manage most garden insects and diseases. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a research-based approach that can reduce insect and disease damage to acceptable levels in most gardens with minimum or no pesticide use.

Moles Raise Turf and Ire

Sun, 18 May 2008 09:28:38 -0600

If there were moles in the Garden of Eden they must have changed their habits since then. Nothing piques a gardener's ire more than evidence of these inveterate diggers: damaged turf, uprooted plants, undermined patios and random piles of dirt.

However, other pests cause similar damage so it's important to study the suspect's modus operandi:

1. Small round holes in the ground, surface or slightly subsurface runways, teeth marks on vegetables or berries (or produce disappearing), chocolate brown scuttling critters, no raised turf--vole

Ah, the Thrill of Seeing Wildlife in Your Yard

Sun, 18 May 2008 09:27:56 -0600

Luckily I planted daffodils and not tulips! Deer love sweet tender tulips in the spring but do not touch my daffodils. I learned the hard way, so now the tulips are in the fenced-in area of the yard and the daffodils and alliums are outside the fence.

Got Dandelions?

Sun, 18 May 2008 09:22:14 -0600

You could...

Dig them by hand, Make yourself a nice salad, or How about getting the kids to pick the flowers so you can make dandelion wine?

But, the best way to discourage lawn weeds is to keep your grass healthy and growing. The Washington County Home Lawn Care Calendar explains the practices and timing that work best in Washington County to maintain a healthy lawn.

Lawn Care

Sun, 18 May 2008 09:21:40 -0600

Winter Damaged Lawn

Vegetable Gardening

Sun, 18 May 2008 09:20:22 -0600

Going Beyond the Traditional: More Veggies for Less Work

Trees are an Investment that Require Proper Care

Sun, 18 May 2008 08:08:17 -0600

Many of us think we know how to take care of our trees just by observing how our cities, shopping malls, neighbors, etc. take care of theirs. We assume that a city or large commercial enterprise would know the proper methods of pruning, mulching, watering, and other plant maintenance. But think about it, how many times have you noticed an irrigation system spewing forth water while it is raining? One of the most noticeable tree care mistakes seen in our area is mounding mulch up around the tree trunk.

Pruning Trees & Shrubs - Knowing When & How

Sun, 18 May 2008 08:06:35 -0600

Proper pruning is no more work than poor pruning and a little knowledge can go a long way to making you feel good about doing it right. There are several reasons to prune trees and shrubs including improving health and appearance, shaping young plants, renewing older shrubs, and fixing safety issues.

When to Prune

As a general rule the best time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs is in late winter or early spring when they are dormant. Pruning at this time allows you to see the shape and interior of the tree so you can see what you are doing and there is less chance of disease or insect problems. Dead branches can be removed at anytime.

There are some exceptions.

Do not prune oak trees between April 1 and July 4th to reduce the threat of oak wilt. Go to www.forestry.umn.edu/extension for Oak Wilt updates.

Do not prune any trees or shrubs between the time the buds swell and leaves open up.

To minimize "bleeding" of maples, birch, ironwood, honey locust, blue beech, elm, butternut and walnut prune early in the summer after the leaves have opened.

Do not prune spring flowering shrubs until after they have bloomed. Flower buds for the next year develop during summer months so prune right after blooming.