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/.


"Getting a Jump" on the Garden!

EARLY SPRING GARDENING PROGRAM

Master Gardeners have shrugged off the winter freeze and are ready to talk about planting that garden.  Please join us Saturday, February 1st at 10 a. m. at the MU Extension Meeting Room in Hermitage for some of the latest tips. 

David Stryker will show and discuss row covers and new vegetable varieties.  Row covers are great for expanding the growing season and are simple to utilize.

Deanna Loeffler has all the "show-how" about starting perennial seeds.  Seeding methods and materials will be demonstrated and discussed for these plants that need an early start.

Rounding out the session, a panel of Master Gardener members will answer general gardening questions from all attending the session. 

Posted: 1/18/2014



Posted by No comments:
Labels:

Master Gardener Online Training

Master Gardener Online Training
Missouri Master Gardener training is now available online with two classes offered each year.  The fall class begins the first week of September whereas the spring class begins the first week of February.   
Online training is a 14-week learning experience designed to equip future Master Gardeners with the knowledge necessary to serve as effective volunteers.  Each week, students study a different chapter in the Master Gardener core manual on topics related to horticulture. For the sake of this course, chapters in the core manual have been organized into learning modules with specific learning objectives.  Each module includes an online presentation (using MOODLE as a software platform), web resources, and other learning tools. 

Typically, there are two different types of students who enroll in the online training course.

·       Master Gardener trainees are preparing themselves to volunteer as University of Missouri Extension Master Gardeners.  In addition to successfully completing the course, Master Gardener trainees must complete 30 hours of volunteer service in order to become certified.  These volunteer hours are supervised by the Extension Specialist with Master Gardener responsibilities for the county in which the Master Gardener trainee resides.
·       Individuals seeking to enhance their horticulture knowledge for personal fulfillment also enroll in the course. A certificate of completion is issued to these individuals when they satisfactorily finish the course.
Some features of this class include:
·      Text book.  Students who enroll in the online course will receive a copy of the Missouri Master Gardener core manual.  This manual serves as the textbook for the course and is the basis of the presentations viewed online.  Additionally, each chapter of the core manual lists references that can be accessed for more information about the subject being covered.
·      Online presentations.  Each module includes narrated, pre-recorded presentations by qualified instructors who are faculty members of the University of Missouri. Students must have access to computers with the latest version of Adobe Flash Player in order to view the presentations.  
·      Weekly blog.  The course instructor maintains a weekly blog where questions are posed to the class.  The blog offers a chance for students to ask questions and to get to know other students taking the course.
Additional information about the course as well as enrollment procedure can be found at the following web address:  https://extweb.missouri.edu/courses/default.aspx?courseid=99

source: MU Master Gardener Program at http://mg.missouri.edu

Posted: 1/6/2014
Posted by No comments:
Labels:

To-Do List for January

Look over last year's garden design and start planning this year's garden. 

Begin a list of plants and seeds to order now!

Set up grow lights or a cold frame for seedlings.

In late January, prune berry bushes. 

Average Temperature  32 degrees
Average High Temperature 42 degrees
Average Low Temperature   22 degrees
Average Precipitation  1.9 inches
Average Snowfall 4.4 inches

Posted: 1/2/2014
Posted by No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)