why be a master gardener
You want earlier, tastier vegetables and the pest-thwarting skills to stay at least one step ahead of weeds, diseases, and damaging insects. You’d like to master the art and science of water-wise landscaping or learn which proven techniques will ease maintenance chores and leave you with more time in the hammock or swing. Or maybe you want to stretch your gardening dollar while stretching your gardening knowledge.
Becoming an Idaho Master Gardener is about all of this and decidedly more. It’s about sharing your passion for gardening with your community—from 8-year-olds to 80-year-olds. It’s about empowering Extension clients to tackle their landscaping and gardening challenges. It’s about demonstrating sustainable practices in flower beds planted by local schoolchildren, in raised vegetable beds tended by local seniors, and in public landscapes that minimize taxpayers’ irrigation and maintenance costs.
In short, it’s about planting and harvesting, learning and teaching, and giving and getting. But don’t take our word for it. Let these passionate Master Gardeners (and Advanced Master Gardeners) from throughout the Gem State share their rewarding experiences with you:
- Jan Aman, Homedale: Master Gardening opens doors
- Bob and Betty Anderl, Idaho Falls: Learning best by helping others
- Penny Barton, Sandpoint: Connecting with her community
- Sharon Buckle, Twin Falls: Becoming a sustainable landscape pro
- Vivian Chan, Boise: Color her committed
- Robert Chehey, Boise: Collecting plants, sharing knowledge
- Roger Solaas, Salmon: Sowing seed, harvesting thanks
- Polly Taylor Dennler, Juliaetta: Helping her rural community blossom