Horticulture & Gardening Program

About the Gardening Program	Master Gardener Program	Presentations, Workshops and Events	Garden,Tree, Pest and Landscape Frequently Asked Questions	Contact the Horticulture Staff	Master Gardener Newsletter - "Down to Earth"   Last Month's Newsletter

About the Gardening Program

The horticulture and gardening program provides residents and commercial operations with information, workshops, and volunteer activities related to gardening, tree and shrub management, turf management, ornamental plants, plant diseases, weed control, insect control, fertilization, and fruit production.

• Services
  • Plant and Pest Hotline For questions about plant diseases and insects, household invading pests, nuisance wildlife, planting tips, etc.
    open 8:30am - 12:00pm Monday through Friday
    (810) 244-8548
  • Plant and Insect Pest Identification and Control - $2 per household identification; $5 per commercial - plant and insect specimens brought in to the office will be diagnosed, with a report mailed to the customer.
  • Soil Test Recommendations - $10 per sample - Bring in a sample of your soil and we will send it to MSU for fertilizer and soil management recommendations. Take 10-15 samples around your lawn or garden at approximately trowel depth. Mix together in a non-metal container, then bring 2-3 cups of the mixture to us to send to MSU.
  • Master Gardener Program - a volunteer training program is managed by this office. See below for details.

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Master Gardener Program

Online Volunteer Hour Reporting Form (to be faxed, mailed, or brought in)

The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application.

Applicants attend classes in their county, learning basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. They then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community.

HORTICULTURE EDUCATION

The Master Gardener course provides an overview of major horticultural subjects in a classroom setting. Session topics are:

1. Introduction to Plant Science	7. Integrated Pest Management
2. Soils for Plant Growth	8. Growing Small Fruits
3. Flower Gardening	9. Growing Fruit Trees
4. Household Pests and Wildlife	10. Vegetable Gardening
5. Indoor Plants and Their Care	11. Woody (Landscape) Ornamental
6. Lawn Establishment and Care

VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE

Upon completion of their educational training, students provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community. Their volunteer leadership and service provide home gardening information to their community through a wide variety of gardening related activities. Contact the state web page: http://www.msue.msu.edu/master gardener.

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Look at the new Master Gardener Activities page!

Come Visit the Landscape Demonstration Area!- Come visit the office to see the demonstration gardens (spring through fall is best). We also have information on attracting wildlife to your backyard.

Demonstration Turf Plots	Landscaping Demonstration

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• Commercial Horticulture
  • Mary Wilson, Horticulture Agent
  • Email Mary Wilson
  • (810) 244-8531
• Master Gardener Program
  • Terry McLean, Horticulture Agent
  • Email Terry McLean
  • (810) 244-8530
• Commercial Fruit Production
  • Bob Tritten, District Horticulture Agent
  • Email Bob Tritten
  • (810) 732-2177

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Links

Gardening	Commercial Horticulture	Natural Resources	4-H Youth	Youth Volunteer Corps	Home Page
Home Page	Agriculture	Family and Youth Nutrition	Community Development	Link to MSU Extension on campus	Links to other organizations

MSU Extension-Genesee County is part of the statewide Michigan State University Extension system, which is part of the national Cooperative Extension Service and is funded jointly by Michigan State University, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and county government. Local support for the Genesee County Extension office is provided by the taxpayers of Genesee County Government through the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.