Metro Master Gardeners

A long time ago I was planning on attending Oregon State University (for my out of state readers, you may know OSU for the Beavers, one of two Oregon Pac-12 teams) for a botany degree. Though that plan was put on hold, I still think of myself as a part of the school, if only by tenuous association. The reason I mention this is it might partially explain my love of the Metro Master Gardeners, and really, the OSU Master Gardeners in general. The other reason being because they are completely awesome.

For those who have no idea who I'm talking about, the OSU Master Gardeners are a group of people who have gone through OSU's Master Gardener program (obviously, right?). It is a one term credit-less class, that (if it were credited) would be somewhere on the order of 12 credits for that one term. It is a certification that requires both a 6 hour class and 6 hours of volunteer work per week. It usually is held in many locations in the Willamette Valley during Winter term (again, for out of staters, Oregon uses a term system, as opposed to the more traditional semester system, our Winter term usually begins the week after New Year's and continues for 10 weeks (+1 week for finals)). Graduates preform community services through providing information though call-lines as well as setting up tables in certain places that generally cater to gardening and sustainability practices. For example, they tend to make weekend appearances at the Oregon Zoo during summer.

I have been wanting to join their ranks for some time now, but due to time and money, it's been difficult for me. I think in many ways it would be beneficial to both myself and the Gardeners. I am very much a novice, and for myself, I think it would help me prove to myself and others that I do have some formal training. I feel I would also be good for the Gardeners. I am not 100% certain of their age range, however it seems to attract those of an older generation. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, however, I think it's important to show not only the program, but older generations, that people of my age are certainly interested in gardening and horticulture. I think that this is very obvious to the casual observer in the Northwest, perhaps especially in the Portland area; but it can be good for more official organizations to see interest from all age groups. I have made it a person goal to have a Master Gardener feather in my cap before I turn 30.

I most recently had the pleasure of talking with a Master Gardener this last weekend at our local New Seasons.  I was inquiring about good organic slug deterrent/pesticide, she suggested Sluggo, and against the very traditional beer trap. Apparently, the beer-battered slugs are a raccoon delicacy. I will also be trying crushed egg shells. She also provided me with a large amount of material, including how-tos, coupons, and lettuce seeds.

The Metro Master Gardeners are also holding a gardening fair Saturday, May 4^th. I will most likely be attending, it's in the Woodstock neighborhood of Portland. If you're interested, it looks like it's going to be fun.

If you haven't yet. Get your seedlings started!! You're running out of time for many plants. If you still haven't planted peas (and you were planning on it) you should put them in the soil right now. I will be doing that this weekend, as well as direct sowing my free lettuce (which was a mix of many types).

Sarracenia Northwest have a workshop coming up on June 8th, as well as an open house on July 14th and 15th. They will also be at the Canby Spring Garden Fair (May 4^th–5^th).

Also, Oregon native plant sale is happening at the Tualatin Hills Nature Park this Saturday (April 27^th)

Links!

MMG Event:
http://www.metromastergardeners.org/multnomah/

Sarracenia Northwest open house and workshops:

http://www.cobraplant.com/openhouse

http://www.cobraplant.com/workshops

Tualatin Hills Nature Park native plant sale:
http://www.thprd.org/nature/programs/nativeplantsales.cfm