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 and Unicoi Counties. Their many activities include information booths at various home and farm shows, answering Ask-a-Master Gardener phone calls, 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.



COVID 19 GUIDELINES 

Since the Master Gardeners are affiliated with the University of Tennessee, we are required to follow their guidelines regarding COVID 19 restrictions.

The UT System encourages employees and all members of the university community to get vaccinated and educate themselves about CDC guidance. Consistent with CDC guidance, fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or social distance on campus, or in university buildings, outside of a healthcare setting.

If an individual chooses not to vaccinate, the CDC encourages that they continue to wear masks and distance for their own protection. Any individual may choose to wear a mask on campus, regardless of their vaccination status.

NETMGA Membership Meeting

October 4, 2021

6:30 p.m.  

Ron Ramsey Agricultual Center 

140 Spurgeon Lane, Blountville

Our speaker is Michelle Bouton and she has prepared a program entitled “Building Immunity in Challenging Times”.  Michelle is the founder of the local school of herbal medicine, HERBalachia. She also serves as a Professor of Herbal Studies at The Daoist Traditions Acupuncture College in Asheville, where she additionally manages their herbal gardens. She will discuss the herbs and teas to select, treatment strategies and we will have samples to try.  

We will have door prizes and serve individually packaged snacks and bottled water.  We will provide masks and sanitizer for our members who want them. Please wear a mask if you have not been vaccinated.

Statewide Tennessee Master Gardener Conference

June 9 - 11, 2022

Kingsport, Tennessee

NETMGA is proud to be hosting the next statewide Master Gardener Conference, to be held June 9 - 11, 2022.  Master Gardeners from across the state will be joining us for three days of speakers, workshops and tours.  NETMGA members are hard at work preparing for this exciting event.

The next planning session will be on September 9 at 1:00 at the Ron Ramsey Ag Center.

CEU Opportunities

NEW MASTER GARDENER CLASSES

NETMGA members may audit and earn CEU’s at some of the new Master Gardener classes.  For a few of the classes seating is limited, so please contact Andrea before attending. 423-574-1919

While social distancing requirements are in effect, Master Gardeners may earn CEU credits by watching or participating in online teaching sessions, particularly those offered through Extension. 

Friday Focus from UT Extension Master Gardeners for 2021

This series is for Tennessee Master Gardeners ONLY!

Our Friday Focus series continues this year (with some pretty cool surprises in store for you throughout the year). 
The dates are:
January 29th - Home Fruit in Murfreesboro
March 26th - Botanic Gardens in Nashville
May 7, 14, 21, 28 - TN State Park Spotlight Tours
July 23rd - Turf and Cut Flowers
September 24th - Arboretums
November 19th - Plants of the Season

Click to Register

Third Thursdays from UT Extension Master Gardeners

The state Tennessee Extension Master Gardener (TEMG), Fruit & Veggie, and Sustainable Landscape Teams are joining together to offer in-depth (one hour) gardening classes (open for both Master Gardeners AND the general public).  Join us on the following Thursdays:

May 20th - Home Fruit and Vegetables
June 24th - Ornamentals
July 15th - Home Fruit and Vegetables
August 19th - Ornamentals
October 21st - Live from Opryland Conservatory

Click to Register

Melody's Monday Musings for 2021

Melody Rose, County Extension Agent for Greene County, will be hosting a wide variety of horticultural information sessions during 2021.  Click on the link below to see the list of sessions (both Zoom and non-Zoom sessions).  Registration is required, but is free.

Link to Monday Musings.

***** READ ALL ABOUT IT ****

9/4/21  Beware of an invasion of fall armyworms. See Chris's Column for more details.

8/16/21  Warning for anyone who purchased boxwoods in 2021: Be on the lookout for box tree moths. See Chris's Column for more information and photos in the "Box Tree Moth" article.

8/6/21 Learn all about the NETMGA's newest community service project - the Discovery Garden at the Hands On! Discovery Center and Gray Fossil Site. Look for a write up and pictures in the Project and Photo Gallery tab above.

7/23/21  Chris asks "Got weeds in your pond?" and he offers solutions to the annoying problem in the Pond Weed document in Chris's Column.