How to Become a Certified Master Gardener

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What is a Master Gardener? You have been hearing the term “Master Gardener” and the many activities they are involved with for years but until now you may not really know much about it. The simplest definition I can provide is that Master Gardeners are people who have a passion for gardening, learning, and helping others. A more official definition is they are people who volunteer their expertise and services to help others and assist with Extension projects that benefit the community. Master Gardeners are regular citizens just like you but have a common thread – a love for plants and people.

For the last eight years, the Tallapoosa County Extension office has offered residents the chance to participate in the nationally prestigious Master Gardener course. Over 150 people have taken the course with most of them meeting the minimum requirements to become certified Master Gardeners. Another course is being planned for September; the time has come for you to participate in this wonderful educational opportunity. But you may be asking yourself – Why would I want to take the Master Gardener course? Here are a few reasons, serious and humorous, why I think you should take the course and become a Master Gardener:

The course meets just one day of week, on Fridays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
You are retired now and have not had the opportunity to take the MG course.
We may not learn anything over the next 12 weeks, but we eat well.
All you can grow is rocks and you want to know how to grow something that doesn’t break your teeth.
You always wanted to take a college-type class on horticulture.
You just moved to Alabama from the northeast U.S. and have no idea what will grow here.
Dadeville is near by and isn’t so far away to drive one day a week to take an educational class.
You don’t have a green thumb; everything you plant dies. We can change that – green paint.
Most of the speakers are from Auburn University. Football isn’t the only thing we are good at.
You enjoy volunteering, teaching, and helping others in your community.
You want answers and the title Master Gardener because your neighbor keeps asking you questions about his yard.
Fire ants laugh when you try to get rid of them and out of your lawn. Maybe it’s the grits.
You’ve read my articles for five years and have yet to call or meet me. Come share your success with me and others.
How else will you be able to learn the difference between “crapemurder” and the proper pruning techniques.
You want the authority to tell your spouse what to do while working in the garden.
The world of bugs, good ones and bad ones, just fascinates you. Me too!
You love Extension publications. We’ll give you a whole binder full.
It’s too cool during the fall to be outside doing yard work and you’d rather be inside talking about it.
You know the Extension office’s phone number by heart or have it on speed dial.
Still don’t know if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. Neither do I. We will find out together.
It’s a heck of deal for $85. You get two meals, a name tag, resource binder, publication binder, snacks, and more.
You will learn the truth about man-made fertilizers verses organic fertilizers.
Got weeds? Come get the answers and tips on how to get rid of them.
Dirt under your fingernails means you are a prime candidate to become a Master Gardener.
An apple a day may keep the doctor away but that won’t matter if you plant the wrong variety and never get apples.
You have always wanted to have a glamorous yard as seen in garden magazines.
One free soil test and report evaluation to all that sign up! An amazing eight dollar value.
Just want to know the real facts so you don’t get scammed, buy the wrong thing, or waste time and money.
You may never have the opportunity to take the Master Gardener course again.
You’ve lots of fallen leaves each fall and need to know what to do with them. Shall we say compost.
The friends that you will make and the experiences and knowledge that will be shared is simply priceless.

<>The 2005 Fall Master Gardener course will begin September 2^nd and will end in late November right before Thanksgiving. The course will be held during the day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will meet every Friday for about 12 straight weeks at the Tallapoosa County Courthouse in Dadeville. The fee is $85.

If you are interested in the Master Gardener course, then don’t delay, enroll today. A strong commitment and participation will be needed for this course to be successful. Applications, additional course information, and answers to all your questions can all be obtained by contacting the Tallapoosa County Extension Office at 256-825-1050.