February 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
It's always springtime for Master Gardeners of the North
It's always springtime for Master Gardeners of the North
By Kayla Thomason-
The club was founded approximately 15 years ago after a group of about 12 people took the master gardener class at the UW-Extension.
"The main focus of the master gardener program is teaching," said Jan Sarkauskas, co-chair of the community garden project.
The monthly program is often given by a Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV), according to Sarkauskas.
They teach gardening techniques, nutrition and other related topics at their demonstration area, located in the community garden.
Members also pass their knowledge along at schools and other facilities.
"Master Gardener Volunteers are required to do 20 hours a year of community service to be certified," Sarkauskas said.
Members are also required to take 10 hours of yearly continuing education to remain certified.
"Our monthly programs go a long way in meeting (the required hours) but other ways to learn are at winter garden conferences," Sarkauskas said.
Some Master Gardener Volunteers attend conferences held at the UW-Marathon Center in Wausau in January. Others make a trek down to the Madison Garden Expo, which will be held Feb. 13-15.
During the summer months many people notice the lovely hanging flower baskets around town. Some members of the Master Gardeners of the North plant and maintain those baskets, as well as other local green spaces.
They have many projects that they work on throughout the year.
"The projects are as varied as the membership," Sarkauskas said. "A lot of us are involved in the Rhinelander Area Community Garden."
Sarkauskas also takes care of the flowers at the Koinonia Treatment Center and plans the group's annual fundraiser, which is a plant sale held in conjunction with Art on the Courthouse Lawn. The fundraiser is held the second Saturday in June.
Last May, the president of the Master Gardeners of the North, Tom Jerow, taught the members how to make leaf castings at the community garden.
These happy gardeners also take trips to the botanical garden in the Green Bay area and several nurseries.
"All in all, it is a great group of people, lots of fun," Sarkauskas said.
The group uses gardening skills to help Rhinelander organizations as well.
They have a garden where they grow organic produce for the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry. This garden usually yields 3,000 pounds of food, according to Sarkauskas.
Last year the Master Gardeners of the North worked with Ministry Health Care on the local garden walk, which raised money for hospice in the area. As of now the Master Gardeners of the North are planning for the 2015 garden walk.
To keep this group organized and thriving they have meetings once a month.
During the winter, when outdoor gardening isn't possible, the members keep their skills honed with monthly educational programs followed by a meeting at the Oneida County Senior Center. These programs are always open to the public. The meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month beginning at 6 p.m.
Sarkauskas starts some of her gardening inside toward the end of March.
"Our growing season is way too short to just throw these seeds in the ground in the spring," she said.
She said the most popular plant to start inside is the tomato, followed by peppers, herbs, some varieties of squashes, and both annual and perennial flowers.
"I have a south-facing window and a few grow lights," Sarkauskas said. "By mid-April everything is moved to my hobby greenhouse. These (hobby greenhouses) are becoming more and more popular. Some of our volunteers have them."
Most members join after completing the master gardener training, which is available annually at the UW-Extension office. The training is not necessary to become a member, however. People who want to join can show up at any regular meeting or event. There is a small annual membership fee, according to Sarkauskas.
People can learn more about gardening through UW-Extension classes, Master Gardeners of the North programs or hands-on experience. Master Gardener Volunteers will help anyone interested in learning more about gardening.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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