Becoming A Master Gardener

Nov. 6, 2011 -- I was recently certified as a Master Gardener by the UConn Cooperative Extension System. The graduation took place Oct. 27 at the Fairfield County Extension Center in Bethel.

I highly recommend the program. If you have an interest, and the time to pursue it, it's something you should consider.

According to Leslie Alexander, State Master Gardener Coordinator, "Students enrolled in this program receive training in an extensive range of horticultural and environmental topics, including botany, plant pathology, entomology, integrated pest management (IPM), herbaceous and woody ornamentals, edibles, turf grass, invasive plants, and diagnostic techniques for the home gardener."

Obviously, you're not going to be an expert on plant pathology after one class. What the classes do is expose you to a lot of different information. Subsequent work and research enhances your knowledge. It's sort of like getting a black belt in martial arts. It doesn't really mean you're an expert, more like you've learned the basics and are ready to really learn.

There's about 100 hours of classroom training. Classes run from 9 AM to 4 PM once a week for 16 weeks starting the first week in January and ending in late April. At the end of the classroom phase, interns must pass an open-book written test based on class material. Classes are held at County Extension Centers and the Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford.

During the summer, there are a number of "Diagnostic Classes" held around the state. They're essentially trial runs for the "Final Practicum" in September, an open-book test during which interns must identify plant specimens, pests, diseases and environmental deficiencies. A passing grade is required but you get to work with a partner and can consult reference books. One day, maybe, they'll allow the use of online resources.

Another requirement is the Tree-Shrub-Vine Identification Project that's due in late August. Students must identify and collect 28 plant samples and complete a data sheet for each specimen.

Will Rowlands and Donna Katsuranis

From May to September, interns volunteer 60 hours (3 hours a week) at one of the County Extension Center offices researching questions from the public who call the Master Gardener Hotline. All work at Extension Center offices is under the supervision of a Master Gardener Mentor. My mentor, Donna Katsuranis, was a pleasure to work with.

In addition, interns must volunteer a minimum of 60 hours of outreach at an Extension Center and on approved outreach projects. I worked on the grounds of the Bethel Center doing invasive removal and cleanup. I manned the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group's booth at the Flower & Garden Show in Hartford and the Bethel Garden Fair. I also worked on the Toth Park Remediation Project, a joint effort of The Nature Conservancy, Easton Garden Club and Town of Easton. The first phase of the project involved enhancing the riparian buffer along the Aspetuck River, which runs through the park.

Applications for the 2012 program must be postmarked by Nov. 11, 2011. For more information or an application form, go to www.ladybug.uconn.edu

-- Will Rowlands

The badge you get when you graduate.