As far back as I can remember, my mother always had flowers blooming around the house and a large vegetable garden in the backyard. I must have inherited her love of plants and the outdoors because as a young adult I, too, began gardening.
Fulfilling my dream
When I was teaching fourth grade in La Porte, the principal of our school introduced the fourth-grade staff to a man who was a master gardener. To complete his volunteer hour requirements, he worked with us and our students to plant a campus garden. I had not heard of the master gardener program prior to this, but I decided that one day, I, too, would become a master gardener.
Ten years later, after I retired from teaching, I began fulfilling my dream by enrolling in the master gardener training class. After one year of training and another year as an intern, I am now a Victoria County Master Gardener, and will be one of the coordinators for the 2015 training class this fall.
Training in 16 sessions
If you have an interest in being outdoors and growing things, you should consider enrolling in this year's class.
In the 16 sessions that make up the course, trainees learn to identify and understand insects, diagnose and understand plant diseases, and manage home fruit and nut production.
One week, a vegetable specialist shares how to have a successful vegetable and herb garden; and another week, a soil environmental specialist explains characteristics of soil, how to improve soil structure and how to interpret the soil analysis report participants receive regarding their soil samples.
Many of the sessions include hands-on activities. When learning about plant growth and development, participants sort actual plant leaves into categories. During the session on plant propagation, trainees graft an heirloom tomato on rootstock as well as receive hands-on experience in propagating cuttings of several flowering shrubs.
- More learning experiences
Other sessions include information on perennials, roses and bulbs, Texas Superstar plants, the Junior Master Gardener Program, composting, rain water harvesting, turf grasses, landscaping, container gardening and xeriscaping. One session includes the South Texas Farm and Ranch Show, and still another session will be a daylong class tour. Previous class tours have included such sites as a vineyard, a turf farm, a tree farm and a nursery.
Thursday classes Aug. 6-Nov. 19
The 2015 training class will begin Aug. 6 and continue through Nov. 19. Classes will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursdays in the 4-H Activity Center, 259 Bachelor Drive, at the Victoria Regional Airport complex. The cost of the training is $175, which covers the cost of the program including speakers and the master gardener training manual. The fee is paid at the end of the first class.
Becoming a master gardener
After trainees complete the 16 training sessions, trainees become master gardener interns and will receive recognition at an awards celebration in December.
- Trainees become master gardener interns
During 2016, Master Gardener interns must volunteer 50 hours of service through working in Victoria Educational Gardens doing activities such as weeding and pruning, helping with approved projects like the Victoria Garden Tour, the master gardener plant sale and by answering telephone questions from the public at the AgriLife Extension office.
- Interns become master gardeners
After the volunteer hour requirements are completed, interns become master gardeners and are recognized at the awards celebration. Every year thereafter, to continue as a master gardener, individuals must obtain a minimum of six hours of continuing education and complete 21 hours of volunteer service.
Application due July 16
Applications for the 2015 Victoria County Master Gardener class can be picked up in person at the Victoria County Extension Office at 528 Waco Circle at Victoria Regional Airport. They are also available by calling the Extension office at 361-575-4581; by downloading an application from the Victoria County Master Gardener Association website, vcmga.org; by writing Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service-Victoria County, 528 Waco Circle, Victoria, TX 77904; or by emailing Victoria@ag.tamu.edu.
Fulfill your dream
If you are ready to fulfill your dream of becoming a master gardener, sign up now for the 2015 class. We would love to have you join us.
The Gardeners' Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.
Victoria County Master Gardener Association
