Gardening as a Hobby and Volunteer Activity
Spring is just around the corner and I can almost smell the wet earth, one of the best smells in the world. Yesterday I went to a Winter Garden Fair presented by the Master Gardeners in my county. I was inspired to get busy on my flower garden as soon as winter is over, but I was even more interested in talking with the Master Gardeners. I saw a lot of Baby Boomers there, and many who were Master Gardeners.
Ever since a neighbor told me about being a master gardener several years ago, I’ve had this on my list of “to do” when I retire. Now that I’m retired, I’m eager to get going.
The American Horticultural Society says that Master Gardeners receive intensive training (I was told I would receive 40 hours of classes) and in turn they volunteer at garden fairs, plant sales, phone help lines (the one in our county is called a “Hort” Line), and other community gardening events. 
There are so many areas to learn about – everything from trees and conifers to daylilies, roses, lawn care, wildflowers and prairies, hydroponics (ponds), organic gardening, herbs and vegetables, medicinal plants, house plants, pot and container gardening, theme gardens, and more. Being a master gardener is a good way to learn more about all these areas, and then to focus on what you want to do most.
The first Master Gardener program in Washington State in 1972. Currently there are over 110,000 Master Gardeners in the U.S, all states, DC and 4 Canadian provinces have programs, most run from state agriculture extension departments. In Iowa, for example, the MG program is run out of Iowa State University’s extension program.
If you are interested in learning more and in finding the Master Gardener organization in your area, look on the American Horticultural Society Master Gardener page and click on your state or province. Then find the county extension office for your county to learn more about their program.
Image source: Newscom