MASTER GARDENERS

Cabbage planted Feb. 2, will have an early start when spring arrives.

Don and Carol Koehler trimmed prostrate rosemary, one of several herbs they raise.

Don and Carol Koehler transplant the herb sage.

Herb versatility fascinates Don and Carol Koehler.

Heirloom plants and their unique role as true living history captivates Dorothy Hickam.

Tropical plants and organic gardening are tops on Debbie Naeter's horticulture-interest list.

Season after season, vegetable and fruit gardening intrigues G. H. Creglow.

While gardening can be perceived as a solitary endeavor, these five horticulture enthusiasts from the Cape Girardeau and Jackson areas and more than a dozen others with interests just as varied aren't keeping the good news about gardening to themselves.

"Gardening is just plain positive," Naeter said. She and others taking part in a Master Gardener program sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension Service are ready to share their expertise with home gardeners throughout the area.

Twenty people with a strong interest in horticulture have completed the course work portion of the Master Gardener program offered through the Jackson office of the University of Missouri Extension. Some participants garden recreationally, others are professional horticulturists representing a variety of specialties.

Through the Master Gardener program, participants receive an intensive 30 hours of horticulture training. In return, the participants agree to volunteer at least that many hours to help others learn about horticulture.

The Master Gardener concept focuses on training volunteers for horticulture programming. It's the home gardener that the volunteers primarily are hoping to aid, explained Gerald Bryan, agronomy specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, Jackson office.

"In this area, we recognize horticultural interests as a high priority," Bryan said. But with staffing limitations -- the nearest horticulturist is based in Ironton -- it is difficult for the extension service to meet all the needs, Bryan explained.

"We get a tremendous number of calls in to our office," he said. "Now through June, there is a large demand for information on gardening, home and lawn care-type problems."

With the implementation of the Master Gardener program, Bryan said, "we've got essentially 20 helpers in my area here that can help us with the educational process for the home gardener."

Bryan and horticulture specialist Mike McCullough, based at the Extension's Ironton office, are co-coordinators of the regional program, the first of its kind in the area.

Training sessions were held during the winter. Twenty participants completed the 10-week, 30-hour Master Gardener training offered through the Jackson Extension office. Of that group, 12 were from Cape Girardeau County, five from Bollinger County, and one person from each of the counties of Perry, Wayne and Iron, Bryan said.

A similar session at Malden drew 16 people from at least three counties.

Master Gardener program participants completed training that covered a spectrum of subjects such as plant growth and development, soils, fertilizations and composting, trees, shrubs, insects, pesticides, plant diseases, lawn care, flowers and fruit crops.

A strength of the program is the individual perspective each participant brings.

Naeter, who operates a primarily tropical plant business called "The Plant Lady" out of her home, knew the education would help her meet personal goals regarding organic gardening. Plus, she said, "in my work I'm constantly being asked about other areas of gardening.

"This gives me the knowledge to be able to answer those questions."

The husband and wife team of Don and Carol Koehler have enjoyed gardening as a hobby for many years. The Koehlers knew the Master Gardener program would broaden and strengthen their skills.

Until about four years ago, their interests were mainly vegetable and flower gardening. Then, Carol Koehler acquired an herb plant, then another, then another.

For the Koehlers, the fascination lies in the fact herbs have so many uses. From culinary, medicinal and aroma therapy to household cleaners, natural pest repellents and even cosmetics, the list of uses goes on and on, Carol Koehler said.

"For instance," she said, "I probably have 15 different species of mint.

"You can make tea out of it, fresh fruit salad. I make mint cookies, mint jelly and mint vinegar."

Parsley, she said, has as many vitamins as a piece of fresh fruit. Plus, she said, by adding herbs to their diet, "we've probably cut our salt intake by 70 percent."

Hickam brings to the program vast knowledge of the plants of the past and the importance they lend in gardening today. "I'm interested in the heirloom quality of various things, whether it's ornamental or vegetable garden type," she said.

Involved with the Seed Savers Exchange, Hickam is intensely interested in encouraging others to take interest in the plants that their loved ones have so treasured.

"It's a powerful kind of connection. You never lose people that way, really. "There's always a kind of renewal."

Creglow, an avid gardener for many years, said he became involved with the Master Gardener program because, "I thought maybe I could learn something that will benefit me and also pass it on to other people."

Plans are in the works on ways to connect the Master Gardener resource people with the community. Bryan said several ways of reaching the public are in the planning stages, including Master Gardener participation in various community programs, the sponsoring of plant clinics and the possible establishment of a hotline.

The extension service also expects to continue the Master Gardener program with another training session in the fall.