Extension
It Starts With Us
Home Horticulture
Home Horticulture
Susan Fox
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
In 2018 the National Gardening Survey indicated that 77% of American households garden in some way. Other estimates reveal that consumer horticulture and supporting industries contribute nearly $200 billion to the US economy each year and support over 2 million jobs. Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households) while interests in ornamentals remains high, particularly in the area of gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants. American gardens will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions. The Extension Master Gardener Program equips trained and certified volunteers to assist Extension staff in delivering research-based gardening information to the public.
Increase access of fresh food Reduce plant loss in landscaping Minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and/or fertilizers Added value or reduced expenses with landscaping Volunteer for community horticulture projects Improve physical, social and/or mental health Develop employment skills
Use Extension diagnostic services Be active in gardening Diversify plant varieties Add native plants to landscaping Use Integrated Pest Management practices Adopt best practices in water quality and/or soil health Handle chemical safely
Increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use Recognize the value of diagnostic testing Match plants to appropriate planting location Understand the value of native plants Discuss pollinator protection Locate Extension horticulture resources Observe horticulture and food preparation demonstrations
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Home owners • Community garden participants • Housing Authority residents • Schools • Educators • Community members • Neighborhood Associations • Nonprofits / businesses • Volunteers • Youth
Project or Activity: Garden Toolbox Series
Content or Curriculum: Webinars or in-person meetings when allowed.
Inputs: • Agents, associates, specialists • Federal, State and local agencies • UK weather center • Funding-fees from training and other courses; grants and in-kind support • Training materialspresentations, printed resources, publications • Social media & online tools • State, regional and national meetings and conferences • Evaluation materials • SNAP-ED • Volunteers (Master gardeners)
Date: Bi-monthly
Audience: Home owners • Community garden participants • Housing Authority residents • Schools • Educators • Community members • Neighborhood Associations • Nonprofits / businesses • Volunteers • Youth
Project or Activity: Community Garden, Victory Garden Educational Program
Content or Curriculum: Victory Garden resources and program, grab bags
Inputs: • Agents, associates, specialists • Federal, State and local agencies, Training materials presentations, printed resources, publications • Social media & online tools • State • Evaluation materials • SNAP-ED • Volunteers (Master gardeners)
Date: Summer
Audience: Home owners • Community garden participants • Housing Authority residents • Schools • Educators • Community members • Neighborhood Associations • Nonprofits / businesses • Volunteers • Youth
Project or Activity: Garden Tour - Native Plants
Content or Curriculum: As COVID-19 is lifted or Webinars/Facebook Live
Inputs: • Agents, associates, specialists • Federal, State and local agencies • UK weather center • Funding-fees from training and other courses; grants and in-kind support • Training materialspresentations, printed resources, publications • Social media & online tools • State, regional and national meetings and conferences • Evaluation materials • SNAP-ED • Volunteers (Master gardeners)
Date: Summer
Audience: Master Gardener Volunteers
Project or Activity: Advanced Master Gardener Class
Content or Curriculum: Submitting samples for diagnosis, other topics of interest to MG.
Inputs: • Agents, associates, specialists • Federal, State and local agencies • UK weather center • Training materialspresentations, printed resources, publications • online tools • State, regional and national meetings and conferences • Evaluation materials • SNAP-ED • Volunteers (Master gardeners)
Date: Fall/Winter
Audience: Home owners • Community garden participants • Housing Authority residents • Community members •
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Class
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: • Agents, associates, specialists • Federal, State and local agencies • UK weather center • Training materials presentations, printed resources, publications • Social media & online tools • Evaluation materials •Volunteers (Master gardeners)
Date: Summer
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Victory Gardening became a theme with a surge of interest in home gardening. Because of COVID-19 restrictions home horticulture educational programs were moved to mostly online formats. A fall vegetable gardening program was held with 14 participants receiving plants, floating row cover, hoops and tent pegs so that they could grow a fall garden. Plants included cabbage, bok choi, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and beet seeds. Vegetables continued to be harvested in January.
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
In response to the COVID pandemic, four of the Lyon County Extension Master Gardeners have prepared and taught five classes. These have been offered online or, as restrictions have eased, a combination of online and in-person. Classes included Weed Control in the Garden, Windowsill Herbs, Native Plants in the Landscape, Early Spring Vegetable Gardens, and Decorative Pots with Edible Plants and Flowers and a Plant a Pot for the Housing Authority. The Plant a Pot had 22 participants. Participants
