MASTER GARDENERS FIELD QUESTIONS
Thursday, June 9th, 2011 -- 1:54 PM
After a winter that didn?t want to end, and an early spring that was damp and downright frigid, area gardens are finally growing.The Clark County [i]Over the Garden Gate[/i] Master Gardeners group held their first ?Ask the Master Gardener? event Wednesday afternoon.
Two representatives of the group will be in the Extension office at the Courthouse every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the growing season months. You can either call them, or bring in your plants, insects, weeds and other pests for consultation.
Over the Garden Gate has grown to around 30 active members, according to member Donna Streif, Neillsville.
"Anyone that's interested in gardening can be a member, but most of the members are Master Gardeners, which means they've completed classes," she explains.
Aside from the schooling, Master Gardeners must be involved in continuing educating, volunteering and helping others, she says.
"I went into it totally thinking this is going to be all about flowers, because I love flower gardening," says Kim Twesme, another member of the group. "I found out there was one section on flowers, and the rest was on grasses, turf management, vegetables, fruit trees. I learned a lot."
"You really learn how much you don't know."
A mysterious bush was sitting in front of the pair Wednesday. Someone brought it in hoping Twesme and Streiff could figure out what it was. Other people bring in insects and weeds and the master gardeners play detective.
"The main thing you learn is how to find information, because you can't possibly remember everything you've learned (from the Master Gardener training," explains Twesme.
If you?d like more information about the Master Gardener group, you can contact the UW-Extension office at 715-743-5121.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.