The Master Gardener Program is offered by the University of Tennessee Extension. The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train people as horticultural-educated volunteers. These volunteers work in partnership with their counties to expand the educational outreach, providing home ga​rdeners with researched-based information. Each volunteer has been trained with 40 hours of horticultural education, and keeps updated with continuing education events.

The Northeast Master Gardener Association (NETMGA) membership includes volunteers from Hawkins, Sullivan, Washington, Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener questions, teaching classes in the community, and organizing new Master Gardener classes. Their presence can be seen in many local historic site gardens, demonstration gardens and community vegetable gardens.

MAY Membership Meeting   

Monday, May 6

5:45 Refreshments 

6:30 pm Zoom Meeting begins  

Ron Ramsey Agricultural Center

Register using one of the options below

Doug Tallamy will present his Zoom lecture "I know You're Very Busy but . . .   I want to learn more about nature gardening."  Doug explains: Nearly every day I get emails from people who have read my books and heard my talks and yet still have questions about ecological landscaping. These are good, thoughtful questions about ecology and evolution, biodiversity, invasive species, insect declines, native and non-native plants, conservation and restoration, residential and city landscapes, urban issues, oak biology, keystone plants, Homegrown National Park, monarchs, supporting wildlife at home, and more. In this talk I address as many of these queries as I can with hope that my answers will further motivate people to help restore ecosystem function where they live, work, play, worship, and farm.  

Doug's Bio: Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 106 research publications and has taught insect-related courses for 41 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home was published by Timber Press in 2007, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014; Nature's Best Hope, a New York Times bestseller, was released in February 2020, and his latest book, The Nature of Oaks, was released in March 2021. His awards include recognition from The Garden Writer’s Association, Audubon, The National Wildlife Federation, Western Carolina University, The Garden Club of America, and The American Horticultural Association. Doug lives with his wife, Cindy, on their restored property in Oxford, PA.

NETMGA Members are invited to arrive at the Ron Ramsey Center for refreshments at 5:45. The Zoom program will begin at 6:30. Use this link to register to attend the session at the Ag Center. https://tiny.utk.edu/Tallamyinperson

Non-members may join the Zoom session from home and are invited to use this link to access the program at 6:30. NETMGA members who prefer to Zoom from home should also use this link: 

https://tennessee.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uc-qspz0pHdSx0-0v-Xfo3sSWPDiT7hnx

https://tiny.utk.edu/NETMGADoug

CEU OPPORTUNITIES

Current Master Gardeners can earn CEU credits by attending the

new Master Gardener classes. Contact Chris if you have questions.

Upcoming Free Webinar From Washington County Extension

3 Season Vegetable Garden:

Seed Saving April 16^th 6:00 pm

Are you interested in saving seeds, but not sure where to start?

 UT Extension Washington County Agriculture Agent Adam Watson will introduce the basics of seed saving to gardeners and give you the knowledge to start saving seeds this season.

Zoom only, register: https://tiny.utk.edu/seeds

READ ALL ABOUT IT:

4/15//24  Information about the Abingdon Garden Faire is provided in the latest article in Chris and Phil's Column.  

4/6/24 Check out the newest Trusty Trowel newsletter which includes timely tips for your spring gardening from Extension Agent Adam Watson. ( Click on Trusty Trowel in the top banner.) 

4/2/24 Earl Hockin has added an article on April Vegetable Gardening. Click on the  Ask A Master Gardener tab above, then go to the Vegetable section in the side bar.

4/2/24 Phil Blevins has provided an article on Controlling Callery Pears, in Chris' Column.

3/24/24 The Ask A Master Gardener web page (accessible in the banner above) has been enhanced.  You may submit questions using the form found on that page.  Previously published articles are accessible and are arranged by topic in the left hand box.