By: SANDRA GRAY, Fort Bend County Master Gardener
Some of you may have heard the term Master Gardener (MG) and not known exactly what it means. Perhaps, you think it is like a master electrician who has higher fees, but we are volunteers and don’t charge for our services. Each MG commits to performing a number of volunteer hours each year.
You might think it is like a Master’s Degree with advanced training and, while it’s true that we undergo special training, it starts with a minimum of 50 class-hours and requires continuing education each year to remain an MG. Being an MG is closer to being a master key because of all the doors it opens. From fellowship with other gardeners to avenues for deeper learning, there are many ways being an MG can enhance your life and love of gardening.
So, what do MGs do? Our mission is to provide research-based horticultural information to our community. This can take many forms. Some MGs speak publicly to groups about horticultural topics; some work in demonstration gardens where people can learn about different plants, gardens and gardening techniques; some write articles for magazines or social media; and others work at help desks answering individual questions. MGs may also pursue advanced training in specialized topics, such as composting, vegetable gardening, greenhouse management, and much more.
So, why might you want to become an MG? MGs help educate their communities while indulging their love of gardening. We also perform other services. For example, the fruits and vegetables grown in our demonstration gardens might be donated to local food banks.
Being an MG won’t give you all the answers to your plant questions but it will help you learn where to find the answers. It also won’t keep you from killing plants but it will help you learn why a plant died and how to avoid it in the future. Also, many MGs meet lifelong friends in their MG organization.
EDITOR’ NOTE: To learn more about becoming a Texas MG, check in https://mastergardener.tamu.edu/become/
