Anyone a master gardener?

[Lisamcflisa]

Is anyone part of the master gardener scheme? if so how long have you been doing it? which area of the country are u involved in? do you enjoy it? just being nosey

[The Large One]

i did a farmers markey at Montacute house in Yeovil on saturday and the stall next to me was a master gardener stall....to do with garden organics IIRC...
3 ladies there with so much enthusiasm about getting people growing...they were getting the kids making newspaper pots and sowing some peas to take home with them
great to see

[zazen999]

I know there are at least two on here as I did references for them. Not sure if there are any who have been MGs for a while - I'd be interested if there were and would buy them a coffee when we are both next at Ryton.

[binley100]

*puts hand up.......

I'd be one of them miss......

Not been involved very long but am helping on a community garden at the local hospital and somehow seem to be booked in to give a talk to a residents group

[Two_Sheds]

I am one, since last month (thanks Zazen)


I have two "clients" so far. Well, one is a school, so that's 200 clients

[Lisamcflisa]

well Binley & TS... how long have you both been growing your own? do you think experience matters most? or being enthusiastic?

[SarzWix]

I would like to be, but there's no funding round here

[binley100]

well Binley & TS... how long have you both been growing your own? do you think experience matters most? or being enthusiastic?

I've had an allotment for the past five years...experience is useful but it'd be a waste without enthusiasm. Why do you ask?....that's me being nosey

[Two_Sheds]

how long have you both been growing your own?

I've had an allotment since 1996, and have been "teaching" gardening since 2005, running my school's Garden Club.

do you think experience matters most? or being enthusiastic?

You need a good working knowledge of organics (it is under the Garden Organic umbrella, after all) a smattering of permaculture is a help too, as is the experience of growing & coping with pests, disease & weather without resorting to chemicals.

Enthusiasm and the ability to get on with the general public is essential too.

[Lisamcflisa]

Thanks TS and Binley... I ask Binley, because I applied for the Lincolnshire MG, I'm going to meet with them the first weekend of June.. I'm wondering whether I'll be a bit out of my depth, as I've only been growing my own about 3-4 years, anything I know I've learnt through experience, reading stuff on here and in books and I'm wondering if it will be enough... I've experience with the public and lots of enthusiasm... I garden organically but think i need to know more about that from what you just said TS... thanks for answering though, you've given me something to ponder

[binley100]

Lisa .....The role of a MG is to encourage people to gyo , you are not expected to be expert in everything , if you are not sure then be up front and say but say you can ask 'cos there will be someone at Ryton who knows the answer. I have probably learnt whatever I know in exactly the same way as yourself .....there is not always a right and a wrong way to do things . I was worried I'd be out of my depth and with people much more knowledgeable than me but I found that it just wasn't like that at all. Go and enjoy..

[BUFFS]

i do advise 7/8 different people on their gardens,designed and built three of them,but usually end up having coffee and going thru their doubts,i learned from my grandad,old neighbour when first married and watching geoff hamilton,so 35 years down the road,we have tried most things and mastered some,now living in scotland so less emphasis on fresh veg locally...

[Lisamcflisa]

Thanks Binley, I think this first weekend is to see if they like us and we fit into the scheme of things so i'll see how it goes, quite daunting when you're not sure of your own capabilities...
Buffs, with your years of experience you're more a master gardener than the scheme as a whole

[Two_Sheds]

I'm wondering whether I'll be a bit out of my depth

You aren't expected to know everything, no way. The trainers will enlighten you a LOT, guiding you and encouraging you. You'll know more than some other trainees, less than others. You'll definitely know more than your new "clients" (I don't know what else to call them)

It's made clear that if you don't know the answer to a client's question, you admit that and say you'll get back to them (then come on here and ask us!)

[Lisamcflisa]

Ok, thanks TS, you'll all get sick of me asking, cos i'm sure i'll get many scratching head moments!! well just gotta wait til june now