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Gardening is in my DNA. I grew up in an era of seasonal food. My family grew and preserved much of what we ate. Our vegetable patch was organic, but our roses were kept pest-free with systemic chemicals. I've always had yards at home and I grew up a gardener. For many, gardening is an aspirational pursuit, even if they have little to no hands-on experience.
But for all of us, gardening is a love affair with the unknown, a big leap of faith. There are so many things that knowledge can help, but we are often haphazard, sharing our space with the weather, the sun, and visible and invisible pests. There is so much to know about soil and its importance to the earth that is daunting, yet inspiring. To be a gardener is to be a steward of our space and, by definition, our community and the world.
I became a Marin Master Gardener in 2009 because I knew there was so much I didn’t know, but I always wanted to know. I quickly realized I had overestimated my knowledge. It was a pure gift to be taught by professionals in the field and by people who shared the same passion for nature. The Marin Master Gardener motto is to tell people, “I don’t know, but I can find out.” We are present in the community in many ways, including our helpful website, our Novato Help Desk, our leaflet newsletter that you can sign up to receive in your inbox every quarter, our school garden activities, our Exploring Habitats educational field trip project with children, our demonstration garden in Falkirk, the farm and garden at the College of Marin’s Indian Valley Campus, articles in the Marin IJ, classes at our library, our ever-popular demonstration garden at the Marin County Fair, and information booths at various farmers’ markets. Our ongoing commitment to sustainable, earth-friendly gardening is growing stronger.
The Master Gardener mission is to provide California residents with research-based knowledge and information about home gardening, pest management and sustainable landscaping methods. The program benefits both the community and the individual Master Gardeners. There are many ways to contribute and increase your knowledge and abilities. Continuing education classes are plentiful, so everyone can find an area that fits their talents and goals.
It takes a large village of well-educated volunteers to accomplish this mission. Applications for the Class of 2025 close on August 30th. Links to apply can be found on our website and in our leaflet. Classes begin in early January with graduation in early May. Classes combine in-person and Zoom training. We have Master Gardeners of all ages and backgrounds, and everyone can contribute. We hope you'll join us!
UC Marin Master Gardeners, sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, provide science and research-based information to home gardeners in Marin. Email your questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos to any inquiries about plant pests or diseases. Call 415-473-4910 to find out when Master Gardeners are in the office. Or, bring samples to the sample box outside the office 24 hours a day. To attend a gardening workshop or subscribe to Leaflet, our free quarterly e-newsletter, visit marinmg.ucanr.edu.
Read more at the Marin Independent Journal
