The Master Gardener program began in the 1970's in response to the many gardening questions that resulted from the rapidly increasing level of interest in home gardening. The idea was to train knowledgeable gardener volunteers to help University Extension staff deliver home gardening information to the public.

Our local Master Gardeners are able to build on their interests and acquire greater expertise through the resources available through the Extension Service and the University of Missouri.

University of Missouri Extension provides equal opportunity to all participants in extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Hickory County Master Gardeners recommend contacting your local Extension Service for more complete plant and growing information and how to become a Master Gardener.

Meetings are reserved for Master Gardener members, but community programs hosted by the Master Gardeners are public events and will be announced in the local newspaper.

As of 12/31/2014, this blog will no longer post new articles. It will remain active as an archive. Please use the tools available in the right column to search for information and source links provided in previous articles.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://extension.missouri.edu/ and http://mg.missouri.edu/.


Donation Garden Service Project

 Sweet Potato Harvest at the McCarty Senior Center Garden


One of the largest vegetable harvests at the McCarty Senior Center Garden is SWEET POTATOES!  They will soon be available on the menu for all seniors in Hickory County to enjoy and benefit from this super nutritional food.  Extra Master Gardeners were on hand to help dig on a beautiful Autumn Day 120 days after planting.  This is the largest harvest to date!  Total is approximately 1000 pounds for storage and about 300 pounds that are too small or were cut in the process that will be used right away.


Sweet potatoes are spread out on the greenhouse tables fresh from the garden.  Here the dirt is allowed to dry and the 3-day curing process begins which allows the starch to develop into sugar and the cut parts to heal over naturally.  Then they will be size-sorted and brushed clean before storing in a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees on racks in the kitchen that allow air flow.  The prime specimens will be collected and saved for starting next year's crop (about 30 pounds). 


This is the sweet potato crop in August.  Although the fertilizer requirements are minimal, the watering needs are very important.


Master Gardeners watered and cared for the sweet potato crop all summer along with other vegetables that were successful including green peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, and hot peppers.  Weekly harvests were done and brought to the kitchen to be prepared in daily meals.



Hickory County Master Gardeners hard at work digging the sweet potatoes after the above ground plants had been removed a few days previous to allow the vines to harden.


After a few rows are dug, it is time for a break and camaraderie.  The wonderful shaded bench arbor has had much use this season!  


It is always good when the sweet potatoes come up in a nice large grouping like this!


Work continues on the last row.  Many sweet potatoes have been found in the aisles so extra digging is worth the effort.


It is very helpful to have a digger using a pronged potato fork and one who gathers.


So many shapes and sizes!  Some in nice groups that stay together and some at the end of roots farther away from the main plant.  

For more detail information about growing sweet potatoes:  http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6368

Posted: 10/9/2013


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