Volunteers make a difference

Kathie Griffin

The SaddleBrooke Master Gardener volunteers love gardening and can’t stop talking about the unique challenges in growing plants in the high desert. As a part of University of Arizona Pinal Cooperative Extension, our mission is to provide the public with research-based, home horticultural information through educational programs and projects. We love to share our knowledge and experience with our neighbors in SaddleBrooke!

If you’ve ever wanted to become a Master Gardener, SaddleBrooke has one of the best training programs in the state. There is no wait list, no interview process and our $130 fee is low compared to Phoenix at $275 and Tucson at $200. Your commitment upon completing your training is to give 50 volunteer hours on approved projects by the end of 2016. You’ll join a great group of volunteers and be able to choose from a variety of projects. We do everything from meeting with homeowners to identify plant issues, to sponsoring or giving horticulture lectures, to assisting with an after-school garden project at Mountain Vista Elementary School in Oracle. If plant propagation is “your thing,” we do that too. It’s not all work and no play either. We have frequent field trips to conferences, nurseries and botanical gardens just for fun as well as to expand our plant knowledge.

The only prerequisite is a love of plants and willingness to share your knowledge. No experience is necessary; we will train you. Reserve your spot in the next Garden and Landscape Course for Master Gardeners. It will begin on September 22, 2015 at The Preserve Clubhouse from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The course will be held on 15 consecutive Tuesdays through January 19, 2016. No classes will be held on 11/24, 12/23 and 12/31. To register or for more information contact Kathie Griffin at [email protected].