Got a gardening question? Ask a Master Gardener.

If you have begun to plan for your garden this year and have questions, we have the answer for you.  Beginning in February, the first class of Canadian County Master Gardener students will be available every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30-4:30 at the OSU Extension office in El Reno to answer any horticulture or garden related questions. 

After 12 weeks of classroom instruction over various aspects of horticulture such as diseases, insects, and proper practices, the Master Gardener class has finally completed the classroom training and is now gearing up to serve the community by answering your questions.

Casey Sharber, OSU Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Program Coordinator explains, “This is like the lab to the lecture.  Master Gardeners have received the education and now it is time to put that education to use and help others.  Even though they have heard the information, the best way to really learn is by looking up the answers themselves.”

The OSU extension office receives calls throughout the year, however the volume of calls definitely increases as spring approaches and people prepare for the growing season.  This is a free service with free information that people are often surprised to find out is available, Sharber said.

Stacey Ratliff, a Master Gardener student explained, “Part of our commitment to the program is that we complete 60 hours of horticulture education volunteerism. Half of this is done in the office answering phone calls and the other half is done out in the community. For example, I have also enjoyed completing some of my time volunteering with the youth horticulture programs at the Kirkpatrick 4-H Farm.”

“It is very rewarding to turn my gardening hobby into something that is educational and beneficial for others,” said Master Gardener student Robert Tester.

The extension office has a wealth of information for people.  Specifically on horticulture they offer information covering everything from fruits and pesticides to composting and diseases.  The majority of the horticulture questions are about lawns, flowers, and vegetables, but Sharber said she is never surprised by the range of the questions people ask. 

If you have a horticulture or gardening question, you can either call or visit a Master Gardener at the Canadian County Extension office, 262-0155, Canadian County fairgrounds, 218 N. Country Club Rd, El Reno.