Master Gardener Returns to Granite County

Published: 2022
By Ben Hauptman

In 2011, Master Gardener was taught in Granite County and generated interest for gardeners in the area. Since then the gardening craze has continued and after speaking with local groups about MSU Extension programs they were interested in, Master Gardener Level 1 was often at the top of the list. This course was offered in Granite County in April of 2022 to teach the basic skills of gardening in Montana. Sections of the course include: Intro to MSU Extension and Master Gardener, Soils, Nutrients and Fertility, Plant Growth and Development, Vegetable Gardening, Growing Small Fruit and Tree Fruit, Herbaceous and Woody Ornamentals, Landscape Design, Pruning, Lawns and Irrigation, and Intro to Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This comprehensive course taught participants how to be better gardeners in western Montana. They are more knowledgeable about soils and soil health, plants that grow well in the area, lawn and tree care, vegetable gardening, and IPM. Participants will also be required to complete volunteer hours, adding 460 hours of volunteer support to their communities. Many are doing so by working with youth gardeners in 4-H and in the schools and donating produce to the local food banks. This course has generated enough interest in the area to continue the yearly gardening educational series to meet the growing need of people wanting to grow fresh food or to better take care of their lawns and trees.