High Elevation Gardening Web Log "Blog"

Applications are now being accepted for the Coconino County 2007 Master Gardener Program. This program is part of a nation-wide certification program that provides university training to volunteers for the purpose of enabling them to help their communities through horticulture education.

The first Master Gardener program was started in Washington State in 1972. In response to a high number of requests for home gardening information, county agents developed a training program to educate volunteers in various aspects of horticulture science. After completing the training, the volunteers assisted agents by providing information to the community. The first Master Gardener course was a tremendous success and the idea spread across the country and beyond. Today, the Master Gardener program is active in all 50 states and four provinces in Canada.

This will be the 17th year for the Coconino County Master Gardener Program. Tom DeGomez, former Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent, introduced the program to our county in 1991. Currently, there are over 110 certified Master Gardeners in the program; 32 students completed their training in 2006; 10 students from the 2006 class have already become certified.

Here in Coconino County, Master Gardener volunteers are involved in numerous community service and outreach projects as well as providing answers to horticultural questions from county residents.

In 2006, Master Gardeners answered more than 200 "hort" questions via the "hotline", a free service provided to Coconino County by the Master Gardeners. On a smaller scale, many Master Gardeners helped friends and neighbors by providing solutions to gardening problems.

Master Gardeners have worked on many beautification projects around our community and have transformed these locations into places of beauty and pride for Flagstaff. Shepherd of the Hills Church and Grand Canyon Trust are just two of these projects.

Presently, a group of Master Gardeners, along with many other friends and volunteers, are creating gardens around the Olivia White Hospice Home to provide residents and their families a place for peace, reflection, joy and comfort.

Numerous Master Gardeners volunteer for the Arboretum at Flagstaff, leading tours, propagating plants, working in the gardens and promoting the mission of the Arboretum.

And, most notably, this column was initiated by a Master Gardener.

The Master Gardener Training Course will be offered in Flagstaff starting February 6 thru May 15. The class will meet on Tuesdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the East Flagstaff Community Library. Registration for the program is $175 with a $50 rebate for completion of the volunteer portion of the program.

Participants will learn the keys to successful gardening in high elevation environments. University of Arizona Extension specialists and instructors, and Master Gardeners will teach classes in basic botany, soils, plant propagation, plant problem diagnosis, insect management, pruning, fruit tree, vegetable gardening, Xeriscape, ornamental plants, composting, and arboriculture. After completing the training course, Coconino County Master Gardeners must complete 50 hours of volunteer service within the first year to become certified.

Contact Laura Parker at (928) 774-1868 ext. 10 to request an application or for more information. Class size is limited. Applications must be received by Jan 23.

By Hattie Braun
The author is the Master Gardener Program Coordinator for Coconino Cooperative Extension. For more information about the program, visit our Web site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu.