Island gardeners attain Master Gardener status
Global warming, water shortages, loss of habitat and invasive vegetation are a growing concern for those who care about the environment. One such group is the Pine Island Garden Club and the members who have dedicated themselves to learning more about how to better treat and preserve the landscape.
After having put in countless hours of study and research, recently four island residents completed a program developed by the University of Florida and achieved the status of master gardener. The newly named are Lynn Berreitter, Barbara Howard, Bronwyn Mason and Pat Rooney.
Having had a long interest in gardening techniques specific to Southwest Florida, Rooney attributes his involvement to his wife, Hope.
“My wife became a master gardener several years ago and got involved with many of her projects,” he said. “I began making rain barrels and teaching others how to make them, and I also served as a photographer on several occasions for the Extension, so I decided that I should get the training myself.”
Attaining master gardener status requires intensive study of native plant species and gardening techniques unique to the Florida climate. Participants in the program are expected to complete a minimum of 50 hours of training courses conducted by the University of Florida and the local county Extension office.
“I found the training to be very interesting and intensive, but the best part was it was fun to get work with and meet others with similar interests from all over,” Rooney said. “In fact, one gentleman was here from Canada taking the training and we all learned a lot about native plants and how to conserve water, which has been very important to me.”
The classroom lessons provided by the Extension Service involve topics including plant classification, Lee County volunteer programs, lessons on soils, fertilizers and mulches, feeding methods, insecticides, fungi and bacteria, lawns, and exotic and invasive plants, as well as several field trips.
“We visited several commercial and residential areas in Lee County to learn good gardening practices, but more importantly, what not to do,” Rooney said.
After completing the training, the new master gardeners are obligated to share what they have learned with others through volunteering.
“To fulfill my volunteer hours, I have and will continue to give demonstrations with my main focus being water,” Rooney said. “In addition to the rain barrels, which I have shared with the Pine Island Garden Club members, I also have developed a water conservation workshop on the subject of drip systems and micro-sprinkler systems that I have had the opportunity to demonstrate at events hosted by the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods. We are at a time when water shortages are at a critical level and it is important to learn the best ways to preserve this resource.”
Each master gardener must commit to at least 75 hours of volunteer time within the first year of certification to comply with the statewide program bylaws. They can fulfill volunteer hours in many forms, including answering gardening questions via the telephone, in person or by contributing a regular column in a local newspaper.
In addition, they may choose to participate in community or school programs, provide educational programs to the public, contribute to youth activities, participate in collecting soil samples and assisting in certifying Florida-friendly yards through the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program.
To maintain a master gardener ranking, the program participant also must renew their certification annually. The retraining involves participating in 10 learning hours, as well continuing volunteering hours for a total of 35 hours each year.
Certification classes are offered about every 18 months in Lee County.
For more information about the statewide master gardeners program or to get help with gardening questions, call the University of Florida Lee County Extension office at 533-4327.