Beginning Gardening Class - And I GET to Teach!

As I hopefully get to hold the title of being a Master Gardner part of my certification is to give forty hours of community service in the field of gardening.  I was VERY quick to sign up and get my volunteer hours in, but didn't realize what I had signed up for.  I have signed up for three different beginning garden classes held in the community.  I thought I just had to show up and help hand out papers and usher people.  Not so.  I soon found out that I, with three other soon to be Master Gardner's would be teaching.  Holy FREAK.  Well, I finally scheduled a time and met with my two other partners.  We spent two hours discussing the topic of what we would be teaching.  This is the first class of six to be taught in my area, I have been given the topic of "Why do people plant a garden?"
Why am I choosing to garden?  Probably the same reason most other people choose to garden.

• Religious reasons - my church pushes being self reliant and having a garden.
• It's the hot thing to do right now - even Mrs. Obama is into it!
• Need a new hobby.
• Fresh (grown yourself) produce.
• Favorite past time.
• My Grandparents did it, my Parents do it, I should do it!
• Edible landscape.
• Everyone is doing it, so why not join the crowd!

Now that I have chosen to join the crowd and garden, the next question is, what do I grow?

I'm going to start with the cold weather veggies:  

(Average soil temperature for cold weather veggies is 60 degrees, or lower.)

• Green Beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cilantro
• Lettuce
• Peas
• Spinach

Warm weather veggies:

(Average soil temperature for warm weather veggies is 65 degrees.)

• Basil
• Cucumbers
• Peppers
• Summer squash
• Sweet Corn
• Sweet potatoes
• Tomatoes

Now as the months are inching their way to spring and summer I better start watching the local weather.  The most important thing for a Gardner to have, and own, is a thermometer.  Lastly, making a conscious effort to watch the news for the weather details.  I guess I better get buying me a good thermometer, and check the weather each day as part of my daily routine.
Oh my, that thumb of mine is on it's way to turning green.

~ Happy Gardening ~

My Thumb is Turning Green

Two years ago I started a job working as a ground keeper for the University I am currently attending. I was told about the opening summer position and made a quick rush to apply for the job. I went through the normal procedure to have an interview, and then wait. I am not a patient person, but also feel that when you want a job bad enough you need to let your future employer know. That is what I did. I started to make phone calls and appearances to the "Grounds" department. Soon enough they saw my desire to be a groundskeeper and hired me for the summer months. As my job began I quickly fell in love with working in the dirt and planting flowers. I soaked up everything my boss knows about gardening. I have continued my education and love for gardening by being accepted into the Master Gardening program. I am currently working on my certification, and am excited to have the certificate that tells me I am a Master Gardener. Don't you worry, I've still got a long way to go to get that perfect green thumb, but for now, it's showing some color and starting to turn light shade of green.

~ Happy Gardening ~