
Missouri Master Gardener
In-depth horticulture training for Missourians who wish to spread their knowledge of gardening.
Master Gardeners are trained volunteers with gardening backgrounds ranging from hobbyist to professional, from beginner to experienced, from young adult to senior citizen. The common bond is a love of gardening, learning and sharing. After training, Master Gardeners serve as a resource with University of Missouri Extension to give county residents research-based answers to their gardening questions. The primary purpose of a Master Gardener is to volunteer, but members rate camaraderie and learning opportunities as important reasons for participating. To become a Master Gardener, call 417-881-8909.
Call the hotline directly at 417-874-2963 with gardening questions. Master Gardeners are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, March through October, except holidays. At other times, leave a message. Calls are returned with 24 hours.
Master Gardeners of Greene County send out a monthly newsletter – Sign up to stay in touch!
Master Gardeners are available to give presentations to schools, clubs and organizations in the area. To schedule a speaker, visit Master Gardeners of Greene County Speakers Bureau.
The chapter’s annual plate sale is held in April. Plants are sold at reasonable prices and include bedding plants, bulbs, natives and other seasonal plants.
Our gardens provide a place for residents to learn about plants that do well in Greene County, as well see gardening techniques and methods in action. Master Gardeners have three demonstration gardens in Springfield: the Xeriscape Garden at National and Linwood, and the demonstration garden and kitchen garden at Nathanael Greene Park near the botanical center.
Nathanael Greene Park
The Master Gardeners of Greene County developed the original demonstration garden in 1994 on land provided by the Springfield/Greene County Park Board. In 2001, the garden was completely reworked and expanded to include:
Xeriscape
The Xeriscape Demonstration Garden was established in 1992 primarily to demonstrate the efficient use of water in landscaping while at the same time providing an interesting and attractive area for strolling and relaxing in an urban setting. Plants are chosen based on their water needs. Shade/sun requirements, height, color, and blooming season also influence plant selection. The xeriscape is divided into three water-use zones:
The xeriscape garden has been designed to demonstrate wise water use. Some plants simply require lots of water, like roses and hibiscus. Plants like these are included in beds that receive at least one inch of rain per week.
Other plants, such as lilacs and phlox, enjoy a "normal" amount of water and are placed in beds that receive approximately half an inch of rain per week. Still others, such as digitalis and heuchera, enjoy "normal" water but can do with significantly less if they are planted in some afternoon shade and also mulched.
Plants in the dry, or xeric, beds are selected because they can survive with little or no watering beyond what they receive from normal rainfall. Even these plants need to become established, however, before they develop the deep roots and structure that allow them to withstand drought.
Newly-planted specimens are watered several times during their first summer to get them established. On occasion, when the temperatures topped 100 degrees and there had been no rain for many weeks, perennials in the xeric bed have ben watered.
The trees, large shrubs and established grasses have not received supplemental watering.
Master Gardeners of Greene County are headquartered in Springfield. The group started in 1984, and is a self-managing, not-for-profit organization governed by a board of directors.
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