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Master Gardeners Plant Seeds of Growth

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Contributed by: Dotty Greene on 3/14/2007

Yes, we learned it all in Kindergarten. First you plant the seed, then the roots and leaves appear. A little later, with your loving care, maybe a fruit or flower can be seen. We've all done it, but some of us just can't stop enjoying the experience. For a group like the St. Lucie County Master Gardeners, it simply never gets to be just a routine. Growing becomes a ritual of love and kindness, with maybe a little dirt and some fertilizer too. Here are a few ways that Master Gardeners are planting the seeds of growth.

By actively propagating plants at their Shade House, Master Gardeners literally help plants to grow. The Shade House is a great place to work with plants, whether growing from seed or from cuttings of thriving mature plants. It's a place where there is always something new to be learned. And Master Gardeners in St. Lucie County have a front row seat for the latest plant information. That's because they work as part of the University of Florida Extension Service, Master Gardeners extend teachings gathered through University research, bringing it to the public in a useable way.

Though all the Master Gardeners love plants, some folks prefer to do their work with people. They are ready to help when homeowners call in to get information on an insect, a weed, or a choice of plant for a certain spot in their yard. These volunteers thrive on the satisfaction of getting good information to those who need it. They are planting seeds of growth by helping to keep our community landscape in top notch condition.

And what about teaching? Is there a place for Master Gardeners in schools? Yes! Teams of these expertly trained volunteers have planted gardens or given workshops in our schools. Also, you may have heard them speak or teach at the County Fair or club meetings or conferences or even the Farmer's Market.

So you can see that Master Gardeners can enjoy their love of growing in a variety of ways. As an individual gardener, you might be content to just work on your own. And putting a planting project together is fascinating even if you're alone. But it's a special kind of shared joy when done with a few other green thumbs. It's like the difference between singing alone and singing with others. There's some good music sung in the shower, but there is nothing quite like a Halleluia chorus or a Broadway musical. Okay, it is a stretch of the imagination, but Master Gardeners do know how to have fun in the garden AND get things done!

If you think you'd be interested in becoming a Master Gardener, please call Wendi Henry at 772-462-1660. For more information, please visit the website:
http://stlucie.ifas.ufl.edu/master_gardener.html

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