Jeremy Rhoden: Master Gardener Volunteer Program celebrates 50 years!
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program! In 1972, a horticulture Extension agent by the name of Dr. David Gibby found himself overwhelmed with the number of horticultural inquiries he was receiving daily from the residents in his county. With not having enough time to provide all these requests with a helpful, detailed answer, he decided to create an extensive horticultural training for a small group of volunteers called “The Master Gardeners.” The program was so successful that the idea quickly spread across the state — and then through the nation. By the early 1980s, Marion County hosted their first class of Master Gardeners.
Today, the Marion County Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) Program thrives! With close to 130 members, these volunteers regularly work with the Extension office to educate the community on the most relevant research-based horticultural knowledge directly from the Land-Grant University of Florida. In 2022, the Marion County MGVs contributed more than 19,000 volunteer hours to the community, valued at more than $528,000.
So, what is a Master Gardener Volunteer? MGVs are individuals who love to learn and are passionate about educating their community, specifically in horticulture. You do not have to have a green thumb to become an MGV; you simply need to have a desire to learn and educate — and be available. MGVs complete an extensive 15-week training program that builds a foundation of horticultural knowledge. Once this program is completed, MGVs must maintain a set number of continuing-education and volunteer hours with the Extension office annually.
This program provides many opportunities to the volunteers to be a part of the latest horticultural research, attend many activities and events, and be involved with a phenomenal group of individuals who love to learn and have common interests.
If you are interested in becoming a Marion County MGV, you’re in luck! The 15-week MGV training begins at the end of July. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to apply, and applications will be accessible on our website at the beginning of May. A free MGV informational session will be held May 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the auditorium at the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office — 2232 NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala. It is highly recommended to attend the meeting if you are interested in joining the program. To register for the event, visit bit.ly/2023volunteer2023.
For more information, contact the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office at 671-8400.
April to-do list
Annuals: Check out all of the beautiful varieties of coleus in your local garden center! Coleus is a beautiful, hardy annual that provides eye-popping color in the garden!
Bulbs: Consider planting early-, mid- and late-blooming varieties of daylily. Daylilies are low-maintenance and great for providing color throughout the season.
Herbs: Have you ever tried nasturtiums? Nasturtiums are typically easy to grow from seed in the ground or pot, and every part of the plant is edible. The flavor is regularly compared to that of ground pepper, but not as spicy! Add nasturtiums to any salad or stir-fry for great flavor!
Vegetables: Continue planting warm-season crops, such as beans, squash, peppers and okra. For more crop options, see edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021.
Pests/beneficials: Be on the lookout for pests, such as aphids, that like to eat new growth. Prior to treating for pests, consider Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and be familiar with beneficials versus true pests. Remember, fewer than 0.5% of insects are pests. For more information on IPM, visit edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/pest_management.
Lawn Insects: Prior to applying pesticides, rule out cultural problems such as lack of — or too much — water, which can resemble insect damage.
Lawns: Apply fertilizer after new growth has begun. Avoid “weed and feed” products, and look for a fertilizer that contains little or no phosphorus, unless a soil test indicates it is needed. Fertilizer with controlled-release nitrogen will result in longer-lasting results.
Mulch: Mulch is a great weed suppressant and holds moisture for long periods of time. Consider applying mulch in your flower beds and around your trees, but avoid volcano mulching. Just as you can see flare widening as your neck connects to your shoulders, you also should be able to see the tree trunk flare to its lateral roots at the bottom. If you are not seeing the “flare,” your mulch is probably too high and can suffocate your tree or rot your tree trunk. Pine straw makes for a great natural mulch that has been found to hold moisture longer than most general mulches.
Upcoming programs at UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Office: 2-4 p.m. May 2, Marion County Master Gardener Volunteer Information Session at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion Auditorium, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala; 8 a.m.-noon May 13, Marion County Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale at the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County Office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala.
— Jeremy Rhoden is the Urban and Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator at the UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. For more information, contact the office at 671-8400. The Extension Service is located at 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34470.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Jeremy Rhoden: Master Gardener Volunteer Program celebrates 50 years!
