Johnson County

Members of the Master Gardeners are a diverse group of folks who have in common the desire to share the many aspects of gardening with an equally diverse group of people who have or may be acquiring gardening skills and interests.  Master Garden programs are organized gardening activities, are community based, and are normally sponsored by the extension services provided by a state’s University.  While each community tends to use its Master Gardeners in differing ways there are some important similarities between Master Gardener organizations.

The Master Gardeners of Johnson County Missouri share many things such as all fifty states and several provinces in Canada.  Usually our state land grant Universities through their Cooperative Extension agencies provide sponsorship.  For the Master Gardeners in Johnson County it is the Agriculture Extension office of the University of Missouri at Columbia that has an office located in Warrensburg.  The Master Gardeners and the Extension Service can be contacted at the same address, phone number, and e-mail.

Master Gardeners of Johnson County Missouri

University of Missouri Extension

135 West Market Street

Warrensburg, Missouri 64093

660 747 3193 (phone)

660 747 9867 (fax)

johnsonco@missouri.edu

Master Gardeners are a broad based group from the local area who some might suggest take an overly exuberant active interest in gardens, lawns, trees, shrubs, bees, butterflies, flowers, many other plants and living things. These interests are shared with others in the local communities in a variety of ways through education, hands on practices, demonstrations, and volunteer efforts.  Master Gardeners design and provide many gardening related programs to specifically meet the needs of home gardeners.  Master Gardeners may differ from home gardeners because of their special training in horticulture but do not differ in their love and respect for gardening and all that it entails.  The Master Gardener’s initial horticulture training is provided by the University of Missouri Extension Services, University faculty, horticulture experts, and gardening practitioners.  A Master Gardener’s continues their training and education in programs that are provided by a myriad of knowledgeable sources that often includes Master Gardeners themselves. 

Are You Interested in Becoming a Master Gardener?

In Johnson County, and the rest of the state for that matter, you can become a Master Gardener by enrolling in a certified program of 50 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction, and by completing 30 hour volunteer service.  The program contents consists of topics about ornamental trees and shrubs, lawn care, insects, weed management, soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening, home fruit growth and protection, garden flowers, diseases, landscaping, and conservation.  This training is offered every other year in Johnson County and at other times in other locations across the state.  Contact your local Extension Office for more detailed information about training in other areas.  There is no tuition for the classes although there are fees to cover the costs of the extensive training materials.

In exchange for the training Master Gardeners are asked to volunteer their time and knowledge in a variety of ways in their local communities.  While these actives usually vary according to the gardening needs of their communities most require sharing practical gardening knowledge and educational leadership.  If you truly enjoy gardening and are willing to share your time, skills and knowledge you should become a Master Gardener.

The Master Gardeners of Johnson County is a community organization that is constantly growing.   It has a slate of officers elected annually by the membership consisting of a President, Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer, Volunteer Coordinator, a significant group of committee chairs and others that help maintain order and a unity of direction.  Any officer, or any member, may be contacted though the above phone number and/or e-mail address.  

Gardening is a Hoot!

Aside from the important and necessary information in the previous several paragraphs it should be understood that a prerequisite for being a Master Gardener is to have fun.  During these next several months the Master Gardeners of Johnson County Missouri are providing a gigantic plant sale for community’s gardeners.  This activity includes an annual home tour featuring five of this year’s best and more interesting local gardens.  There is more about both of these activities later.  Along with taking care of their own annuals perennials, fruit trees, vegetables, butterflies, bees, bushes, grasses, etc. Johnson

County’s Master Gardeners are involved in a diverse collection of community projects and one-on-one consultations such as:

·         City Hall Grounds Beatification

·         The community Rose Garden

·         Powell Gardens Volunteering

·         Lion’s Lake Micro Garden

·         Speaker’s Program featuring a wide variety of gardening topics

·         Regional Libraries Education Programs

·         Hot Line (a garden problem solving program for the community)

·         Blind Boone Park

·         One-on-one private gardening advising and demonstrations

·         Monthly Educational Programs

·         Writing local newspaper articles about gardening topics

·         Etc.

The June Plant Sale and Home Tour

Johnson County’s

Fifth Annual Garden Tour

Master Gardeners of Johnson County Missouri will be holding our Fifth Annual Garden Tour, in and around Warrensburg, on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 9am-4pm rain or shine.  These years’ gardens will have something for everyone. “Sweet Beginnings” at the home of Betty Kunkel,  “UCM Trail Garden” with Dr Mark Goodwin, a must see “Cottage Treasure” at Glenda and David Goetz home,  “Eclectic Happiness” with Nancy and Robert Jones with lots of old-time roses, and “Country Charm” in the gardens of Charlotte and Paul Shaffer’s.   

 Admission is $5 (children 12 & under are free).  Tickets may be purchased the day of the tour at any of the homes.  Advance ticket sales will be at First Central Bank, corner of  Maguire and Gay Street branch only, Elite Landscaping at 909 E Hale Lake Road (DD Hwy) and the Johnson County Extension Office at 135 W Market, phone 660-747-3193. There will also be a Plant and Garden Décor Sale at 316 Goodrich.  Be sure and check it out!  Bring your camera and a notepad to take some new ideas home to use in your garden.

 All proceeds from the Garden Tour and sale go toward helping make our community more beautiful.