Montgomery County Master Gardeners Looking Ahead to Spring Plant Sale

Twenty members of the Montgomery County Master Gardeners Club met on Monday, April 11 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.  President Susan Smith opened the meeting at 6:00pm.  Minutes of the March meeting and the treasurer’s report were approved.

Program Coordinator and Ag Educator Tricia Herr brought members up to date on Working with Minors requirements from Purdue Extension.  Members must be current with these requirements to work with students at the Nicholson Elementary Garden Project or any other event working with children.

Tricia Herr awarded Nancy Bowes and Ellen Ball with their Advanced Master Gardener certificates, earned by completing the required educational and volunteer hours. 

Andria Grady from the scholarship committee reported that an application has been received for our new college scholarship program and the committee will be meeting to review it soon.  Anita Arnold from the Nicolson Elementary Garden committee reported that the spring has been too wet and cold to do any work in the garden thus far, but plans are underway for a garden layout and for obtaining manure for the garden.

The Master Gardeners are collaborating with the Soil and Water Conservation District and other groups to plan activities for the newly formed Community Growers of Montgomery County.  They will meet next on April 18 to discuss plans, including a neighborhood garden tour this summer.

Susan Smith and Andria Grady met with a representative of the New Market Elementary Garden to learn how the Master Gardeners can help with their project. Member Sandra Dailey is certified to teach the Junior Master Gardner program and offered her services.

Final plans for the May 7 Master Gardener plant sale were discussed.  It will be held at the county fairgrounds from 8:00am-1:00pm and hanging baskets, peppers, tomatoes, and other plants will be offered for sale.  The public is invited to this free event.  Proceeds will be used for the scholarship program and other projects of the Master Gardeners. Nucor Steel will be on hand giving away free trees starting at 8:00 until they are gone.  In addition to the Master Gardeners, representatives from The Community Growers of Montgomery County, the Crawfordsville District Public Library, Friends of Sugar Creek, and the Montgomery County Beekeepers will be on hand to talk to the public.  There will be give-away bags for children, door prizes, and a free plant exchange area offered for anyone wanting to bring a plant to trade.  Fat Bottom Donuts will be present selling food and drink.

Following the business meeting, members shared some of their best gardening tips with the group.  The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on May 9