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Fourth Annual South Idaho Garden Symposium
Teaches Participants How to “Go Green”

TWIN FALLS, Idaho—Do you want to “go green” in your garden next year—or are you already experimenting with environmentally “soft” techniques and need tips on maximizing their impacts?

On Nov. 14, University of Idaho Extension will host its fourth annual South Idaho Garden Symposium, “Going Green in the Garden,” at the College of Southern Idaho’s Herrett Center for Arts and Science. Cost is $25 until Nov. 6 and $30 at the door, space permitting.

 “Although a lot of people don’t know what ‘green’ means, it’s not really new in the garden,” said Jo Ann Robbins, University of Idaho Extension educator in Jerome County. “It’s one step beyond traditional low-maintenance, low-input gardens towards an increased focus on water protection, sustainability and self-cycling.” Interest in green gardening is building along with Americans’ inclination to save more and forgo unnecessary expenses, Robbins said. “People are looking at their lifestyle differently, and a green garden tends to be economical as well as attractive.”

Organized by the Magic Valley and Mini-Cassia Master Gardener Associations, the program includes presentations by University of Idaho Extension faculty in horticulture, entomology and plant pathology as well as local nursery and landscape professionals. Participants will learn how to:

            ·     Apply the concepts of a green garden and become better stewards

            ·     Control garden problems organically with commercially available soft garden chemicals

            ·     Use beneficial insects, soft chemicals and best management practices to create insect-friendly yards

            ·     Use good cultural and management practices—including the newest biological controls—to keep plants healthy and free of disease    
  
            ·     Use irrigation equipment efficiently and effectively

            ·     Complete their green gardens with new and old favorite native plants

The event includes a silent auction, door prizes and seed exchange. It begins with registration at 8 a.m., breaks at noon for a sandwich-and-salad buffet and concludes at 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Shari Wright at (208) 320-3975, Kathie Stewart at (208) 735-5396 or Gene Holm at (208) 436-8989. To download a registration form, go to http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/Jerome and click on Upcoming Events for Gardening.

Knowing the best times to sow garden crops is a challenge, even for experienced gardeners. Mother Earth News takes the guesswork out of planting with its new What To Plant Now guides, available online at MotherEarthNews.com. The resource provides monthly planting schedules tailored to eight North American gardening regions. The resource provides monthly planting schedules tailored to eight North American gardening regions.   Mother Earth News is published by Ogden Publications www.OgdenPubs.com

The Master Gardener Plant Clinics begin their season on Monday April 20.   Clinics will continue through September 11.  The schedule is:

Monday and Friday 1-4 p.m. in Jerome at 324-7578

Tuesday and Thursday 1-4 p.m. in Twin Falls at 734-9590

Or you can call the Jerome office on the toll free line at 1-886-542-7336

The Butte County Extension Office would like to set up a Master Gardener's training program.  There needs to be a minimum of 10 people to start the class.  If you are interested, please contact the Butte County Extension Office at 1-208-527-8587 or email butte@uidaho.edu.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

What is the Master Gardener Program?  The Master Gardener Program is one way your Cooperative Extension System supports their motto of "people helping people."  The program provides gardeners with an intensive education in horticultural principles. In exchange for this training, participants return volunteer time to    their community.

What does the training involve?  Classes are taught by University of Idaho Extension Agents and Specialists, local experts, and other Master Gardeners. At least 30 hours of class time are required.  Short quizzes and a final exam are given on the material covered in class.

What volunteer work is required?  Master Gardeners must complete a 30 hour volunteer commitment. This commitment may be fulfilled in a variety of ways. A few examples are:

• Giving horticultural workshops
• Community beautification projects
• Writing newspaper articles
• Becoming a 4-H leader

• Making 'garden calls"

• Gardening booth at county fair

Each Master Gardener's specific interests and skills are considered when planning volunteer projects.

Who can become a Master Gardener?  Anyone with an interest in gardening can become a Master Gardener. No prior training or experience in horticulture is necessary. You must be interested in improving your own skills and knowledge, and be willing to share that knowledge with others. For more information on becoming a Master Gardener contact the Butte County Extension Office at 527-8587 or send an email butte@uidaho.edu

An exciting new website developed for Idaho gardeners:  www.extension.uidaho.edu/idahogardens. 

Home   4-H    4-H Newsletter    Butte Horizon Communities   Fair Board   Fair   Noxious Weeds  What's Happening   Workshops

Other Links:  garden basics, Idaho landscapes & gardens, pruning landscape trees and shrubs, links to MG web pages