Do you have a green thumb or a desire to learn about gardening? Would you like to help others in your community? You do not have to be an expert gardener to participate. Horticulture classes, reference materials, and mentoring will help prepare you.

Master Gardeners are university-trained volunteers who serve as educators in their communities. WSU Extension in Walla Walla County has a Master Gardener program. We are looking for participants who would like to serve their community through horticulture. Trained and certified WSU Master Gardener volunteers provide educational programs, give advice and answers to questions on home gardening and landscape maintenance, pest management, composting, and related topics. This is accomplished through various activities such as plant clinics, telephone or personal contacts, demonstrations, and/or classes supervised and supported by the Walla Walla County Extension program coordinator. Look for Master Gardeners at Farmer's Market, at Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days, and at Extension office clinics between April and October.

To become a Walla Walla County Master Gardener, you must:

• Fill out a Master Gardener Application and appear for an interview. Applications are available at the WSU Extension Office, 328 W. Poplar, Walla Walla, WA.


• Attend a 60-hour horticulture training program and pass an exam. Classes for Master Gardener are one afternoon a week for 15 weeks at the WSU Tri-Cities campus beginning the end of January.


• Work well with adults and youth and be available to fulfill your volunteer commitment.

To participate in the 2009 Master Gardener training, please submit a completed application by January 10, 2009. For more information on the Walla Walla County Master Gardener program, please call the Extension Office at 524-2685 or contact Mary Eagon by email at meagon@wsu.edu.

Visit the WSU Master Gardener Program website for general information.

Some great gardening websites to visit:

Gardening Help              Horticultural Myths