Just Call Me Master (But Not Yet)!

I’m excited about the coming months for many reasons. We have a busy schedule exhibiting at garden shows and Green Festivals, and it’s always fun to travel and meet new people (and say hi to the folks you haven’t seen since last year). I’m excited for spring to arrive. Which it will. Eventually. I hope.

I’m also excited to turn 29 this month. Okay, not really.

But what I’m excited about today is that I had my Master Gardener Training orientation class. I’m going to become a Master Gardener Volunteer! Over the next several months, I will take classes and spend time volunteering at various gardens and gardening events so I can earn my Master Gardener certification.

I’ve decided to go through the training because I feel I have a lot of room for improvement when it comes to gardening knowledge. I’m reasonably confident when it comes to vegetable growing, but when it comes to annuals, perennials, invasive species and plant diseases, I could stand to learn a few things. Plus, I think referring to myself as a “Master Gardener” will be a nice ego stroke. Don’t get me wrong — I don’t expect to be magically transformed into some kind of gardening expert just by completing the general training. I will, however, gain a better understanding of overall gardening concepts, and hopefully I’ll make some friends in the process.

The picture above is of the 2009 Wisconsin Garden Journal. It is produced by the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association. They describe the journal as “an invaluable resource to help Midwest gardeners in Zones 3, 4, and 5 plan, organize, and maintain their gardens.” It certainly is. The journal includes gardening articles by local experts, weekly tips and calendars, monthly chore task lists, and loads of other helpful information to keep you and your garden on track. Plus, proceeds from sales of the book help fund community gardens and non-profit programs in the area. MAMGA has been able to donate close to $25,000 since 1996, when they began producing the Wisconsin Garden Journal.

If you’d like your own copy of the 2009 Wisconsin Garden Journal, you can find a list of retailers here. The Madison Area Master Gardeners Association will also have copies available at their booth at the Wisconsin Public Television Garden Expo, which runs February 13-15, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. CobraHead will be there, too, so please stop by booth 904 and say hello!