Georgia Medical

Planting seeds of knowledge that cultivate a love for gardening comes naturally to Cherokee County’s Master Gardeners. Whether you are looking to find the perfect flowers for your garden spot, identify weeds and get rid of them, or attract birds, bees, and butterflies, local Master Gardeners can help you get growing.

Mastering

the artand scienceof Gardening By Rebecca Johnston, Canton Resident

“To stimulate the love for and increase the knowledge of gardening and to voluntarily and enthusiastically share this knowledge with others” is the stated mission of the dedicated gardeners in the local chapter of the University of Georgia extension Service program. Since 1995 UGa extension has trained volunteers in Cherokee County in the science and art of gardening as part of a nationwide education and service program.

Barbara Schirmer, president of the group, says the rewards are many for Master Gardeners and the hundreds of local garden enthusiasts they help each season. “All of us join this program because we sincerely have a love of gardening. We enjoy what we do and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from working with others who share the same passion. I personally enjoy working with kids in the garden and watching the joy they experience in planting seeds and watching things grow. Gardening offers the chance to be active, get exercise, and learn new skills. Overall it improves your mood and relieves stress in your life. Working with plants can totally improve your mental and physical well-being.”

Right now there are around eighty-two Master Gardener volunteers with the program in Cherokee County as representatives of the UGA Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program. Barbara explains that people turn to these local experts for knowledgeable information about organic gardening, landscape and tree maintenance, plant diseases, pest control, composting, and fruit production, as well as flower gardening.

Master Gardeners provide the public with the latest research-based information using a variety of programs and projects. Education is provided to the public through workshops, seminars, plant clinics, demonstration gardens, school programs, fair exhibits, newsletters and newspaper articles, and a helpline that answers consumer questions. Master Gardeners and Extension staff write weekly newspaper articles that address multiple topics related to best gardening practices. These gardening experts also address topics related to plant science, weed identification, and environmentally conscious ways to control plant diseases and pests.

Master Gardeners contribute 4,500 hours annually to special programs and projects. Their volunteer service to Cherokee County is a contribution worth more than $104,000 and helps improve the quality of life for county residents. These gardeners focus on plants as an avenue to human and community well-being and are committed to sharing the value of gardening with all segments of the community, including children, families, and seniors. uuu

Master Gardener nancy McCarthy, coordinator of the Plant a row program, works with volunteers to maintain garden beds full of produce for the food pantry program with encompass Ministries.

The volunteers host a free fresh-greens wreath-making class in december.

Master Gardeners have worked tirelessly to create their beautiful demonstration garden at Cherokee Veterans Park, set to open in March.