Horticulture

MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM

In the spring of 1997, Clark County UW-Extension coordinated the first ever Master Gardener training sessions in Clark County.  Since that time, 2 more sessions have been held growing the ranks of certified master gardeners to over 30.  The master gardeners have also organized a local association which is open to the general public.  They call themselves the Over the Garden Gate Gardening Club and they meet on a monthly basis to talk gardening.  If you wish to become involved with the gardening club, call the Extension Office at anytime.  To help serve the people of the county, the Master Gardeners have an educational booth at the county fair, a plant swap at the Clark County fairgrounds every spring on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, and they are always busy planning more educational opportunities.

Starting in Janaury 2005 there will be specialized fruits and vegetables training offered through the Master Gardner program.

Find a Master Gardener in your area.

If you have any questions concerning your garden, contact the Clark County UW-Extension Office.

RELATED HORTICULTURE LINKS OF INTEREST

• UW – Department of Entomology Insect Diagnostic Lab
• UW – Extension Horticultural Publications
• UW – Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest
• UW – Plant Disease and Diagnostic Clinic
• UW – Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory
• UW – The Wisconsin Gardener – Public TV
• UW – Urban Horticulture
• UW – Urban Horticulture Updates
• UWEX – Wisconsin Native Plant Sources
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Wisconsin Master Gardener Program
• Wisconsin Horticulture Calendar – Other events of interest
• University of Connecticut Plant Database
• Ohio State University Plant Dictionary
• USDA Plants Database
• Weed Science Society of America
• Wisconsin Phenological Society

News From Around the State

• New Brown Bags on the Way! February 17, 2012
  Members of the UW-Extension Horticulture Team are taking the initiative to revive the monthly Brown Bag Series. The Brown Bag programs were formerly coordinated by Horticulture Specialist, Bob Tomesh.  However, with his retirement and subsequent revamping of the statewide program, the Brown Bag Series had to go on the proverbial back burner. The MG Program Office realizes demand for the program is very high and we are very thankful members of the Horticulture Team are willing to take on this effort. More details will be available in the upcoming months.
• Season extenders video February 10, 2012
  We're putting the finishing touches on a video about season extenders. Here's the synopsis: To accommodate Wisconsin’s shorter growing season, community gardens can use various tools and techniques to maximize their garden’s productivity, including floating row covers, cold frames, and proper seed selection. Check back soon for the video's grand release.
• Garden Walk 2012 Sites Announced February 6, 2012
  Friday, July 13, 1-7 p.m. Saturday, July 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Welcome to the 11th annual Garden Walk, sponsored by the North Central Wisconsin Master Gardener’s Association Inc. This year our gardens are located on Wausau’s north side. Enjoy strolling through the five local, private gardens on this year’s tour, as well as the lovely gardens at the Aspirus Hospice House. Each garden displays its owner’s unique style and is sure to give you many ideas to try in your own garden. This year’s proceeds will go to the Hospice House and Wisconsin Public Radio’s Garden Talk. Enjoy the beautiful gardens which include: Betsy & Jerry Baumann — T13051 N. 73rd Street, Wausau Faye & Ron Peters — 2802 Emery Drive, Wausau Carol & Jim Kraemer — 3400 Merrill Avenue, Wausau Hospice House — 530 N. 32nd Avenue, Wausau Pat Baumer — 4711 Edgewood Boulevard, Wausau Shelly Wells & Arves Jones — 225 Windtree Drive, Wausau Tickets Advance tickets are on sale after June 1st, at the Marathon County UW-Extension, 212 River Drive. Suite 3, Wausau. Office hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. after June 1st, or can be purchased at any of the gardens the days of the Walk. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information contact Jane Blick, 715-359-9404 (mjblick@charter.net) or Mary Caylor, 715-359-3913 (pvtpilot4@hotmail.com).
• Hort History Health Last Minute Prep February 6, 2012
  Tomorrow starts the Level 2 Horticulture History & Health training for MGVs. Counties hosting the program should: Distribute manuals to the class (they may arrive very last minute if you have not got them yet.)  These ARE the handouts. Connect to the program 30 minutes before start.  Program starts at 6pm (though it may be  6:10 this time so you can do local housekeeping). CLICK HERE TO ACCESS BLACKBOARD FOR LEVEL 2 TRAINING every time. When you log on, use your county name to identify yourself. Remember to optimize your audio and speakers under Audio, Audio Set Up Wizard. Inform the class of our discussion blog.  http://blogs.ces.uwex.edu/mgvhhh/. The password to enter and comment is hhh2012. Archives of the lectures will be posted here. Most locations joined us during the January's test runs.  If you did not test your system then we'll have to do it after the first session.  If you encounter trouble during the program remember that the archive can be available to your class afterwards.
• Gardens for people with Alzheimer July 5, 2011
  This is a brief, thought-provoking article about gardens for people with Alzheimer. http://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/ccfr/growing_together/Gardens%20for%20Patients%20with%20Alzheimer.pdf