GARDEN COLUMN FOR THE SALISBURY POST

Darrell Blackwelder

October 31, 2003

    Cooperative Extension is now accepting applications for the 2004 Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Individuals having a strong interest in horticulture and desire to volunteer should consider being a Rowan County Master Gardener Volunteer. Volunteering hours back to the organization is a mandatory part of the program. The program consists of 45 hours of classroom instruction on varied aspects of urban and commercial horticulture.
    The 2004 Master Gardener course outline includes: plant growth and development, soils and fertilizers, basic entomology, plant disease and control, lawn establishment and maintenance, vegetable production, home fruit production, urban pest management, landscape design and maintenance, perennials in the landscape plant propagation and organic gardening. Strong emphasis for the class of 2004 will be placed on utilization of the Master Gardener Volunteer website www.rowanmastergardener.com and computer utilization.
    Myself, Master Gardeners and other professionals will teach classes. Classroom instruction is augmented with field trips to local nurseries, public gardens, greenhouse operations and area producers.
    There is no tuition fee for the course, but there is an initial fee for printing costs and materials used in class. Participates must volunteer 45 hours of service back to the Cooperative Extension horticulture program as payment for the instruction. Volunteer hours will focus on existing Master Gardener Volunteer educational programs including: demonstration gardens at the West End Garden on Brenner Avenue, Xeriscaping Project at Rowan Public Library, Arbor Day, Junior Master Gardener Program, Master Gardener Writer's Forum and other educational programs.
    There are 15 classes tentatively scheduled to meet on Wednesday mornings, beginning January 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Outdoor laboratories and field trips may be a part of the learning exercises recommended for the course.
    Applications for the Rowan County Master Gardener Volunteer Spring program are due in the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m., January 9, 2004. There will be an orientation meeting in early January to discuss and answer any questions concerning the program.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com, e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu or phone at 704-633-0571.