The Master Gardeners of Chautauqua County has provided its share of horticultural outreach in the community via its volunteer members — who take pride in educating home gardeners, youth in schools and after school programs, community gardeners, and consumers of horticulture products in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County. Submitted photos

Area residents looking for gardening tips need look no further than the advice of the masters.

For years, the Master Gardeners of Chautauqua County has provided its share of horticultural outreach in the community via its volunteer members — who take pride in educating home gardeners, youth in schools and after school programs, community gardeners, and consumers of horticulture products in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County.

There are three things that define a Master Gardener in Chautauqua County: each must have successfully completed the required Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program; and remain current through participation in recommended training opportunities throughout the agreed term of volunteer service; each must serve as a horticultural resource to the community; and each must represent and provide support for the organization.

Each Master Gardener volunteer is expected to maintain 35 hours of volunteer time, which can be completed through community gardening efforts, educational presentations, fundraising for the Master Gardener Program, professional development meetings and other gardening projects. Their training program includes a core course in gardening, as well as refresher classes, field trips and workshops to enhance expertise and ability to communicate information related to ecological gardening and related topics to the public.

The following are the responses of three Master Gardener volunteers to questions posed by The Post-Journal in an effort to gain an insider’s perspective into the organization. Responses were given by: Cheryl Wahlstrom, Master Gardener volunteer chairperson for CCE Chautauqua; Janet Forbes; and Susanne Bloom.

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P-J: When did you begin gardening and what sparked your interest?

Wahlstrom: I began gardening when (my family and I) relocated to Jamestown in 1989 and bought our first home. A co-worker, Mary Ella Faust, had day lilies she wanted to share. She coached me through dividing and planting them, and a passion for gardening was born!

Forbes: I have been a vegetable gardener since I was a child growing up on a local dairy farm. We had a large, family vegetable garden where we grew lots of sweet corn as well as a variety of vegetables. As a child, there was no choice about planting, weeding and harvesting. It was part of family life. Over the years I have had vegetable gardens of varying sizes, depending on where I lived. I have expanded into herb and perennial flower gardening as well. Connecting with the natural world, building healthy soil, watching the magic of a seed sprouting and growing into a plant bearing produce, and enjoying eating veggies and herbs fresh from our garden continues to delight.

Bloom: I was always in the garden with my father and we would plant it together. It was amazing to me how you can start with a little seed and watch it blossom in to such beauty. During harvest time, I can remember taking the fresh picked potatoes and corn and roosting them over a bonfire. The best part was we usually ended up with the neighbors all coming together for late-night picnics and corn eating contests. I guess that is when I caught the gardening bug and since then I find it very therapeutic.

P-J: How long have you been a CCE Master Gardener volunteer, and what have you learned through your involvement?

Wahlstrom: I went through the core training program in 2011. The training deepened my knowledge of all aspects of gardening, but it especially showed me how to find research-based information I could share with others, too. I was surprised to learn how important soil health is for a good garden, and how to create a healthy soil. I’ve become passionate about compost. I’ve also learned the importance of protecting our pollinators and beneficial insects, using natural controls for pests or diseases whenever possible.

Forbes: I have been a CCE MGV since 2011. I gained a great deal of horticultural knowledge, met and work with a terrific group of people, enjoy providing community gardening education in ways that I might not have otherwise had available to me and know that gardening is a lifelong learning gift.

Bloom: I became a MG in October 2016 and found out that there is still so much to learn. The MG volunteers are great bunch of people who share the same passion as I do. It is a hands-on type of program, yet when you get so many folk interested in gardening from the young at heart to the elderly it warms me all up inside. It has a way of bring the community together.

P-J: Do you have any tips for those who have an interest in and/or passion for gardening?

Wahlstrom: Make sure you have reputable sources for information; contact the Master Gardener Helpline if you have questions or garden problems: Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m., April through September, at 664-9502 ext. 224. Include native plants in your garden as food sources for beneficial insects, bees and birds. Limit the use of insecticides and herbicides. Learn about your soil; consider having it tested through Cornell Cooperative Extension. Free pH testing is available during the Helpline hours at the Extension office: 3542 Turner Rd, Jamestown. And, consider joining the Master Gardeners for informative “Evenings in the Garden” at the demonstration gardens beside the extension office, the third Wednesday of the month, May through September, at 6 p.m.

Forbes: Reach out to MGVs and other gardeners. Visit as many gardens as you can. Access gardening learning opportunities wherever they are. Be open to learning and trying new gardening adventures. Start small and learn from your gardening successes and disappointments. Always remember that spring comes again, and you can try something different. Share gardening with children and invite them to learn with you. Don’t be afraid to try. We are all gardeners or potential gardeners. Read about gardening. Whether you grow one bucket garden on your deck or have a large garden, it will all bring you joy!

Bloom: The best tips I can give is follow your heart. If you tried growing something and it didn’t work out just learn more about what you are growing, whether it is the plant itself or the method of growing. We all have had failures but through those failures we learn something, so it real wasn’t a failure. It may have been just one factor that caused it not to grow and the next time it grows beautifully. We welcome new volunteers as we could do so much more, if we just had a few more hands.

P-J: What would you say to someone who may be considering becoming a CCE MGV regarding the benefits of the program?

Wahlstrom: It’s a great way to increase your knowledge with the goal of helping others to improve their gardening skills. It’s also fun to be a part of a group of dedicated volunteers, who share a similar passion/hobby.

Forbes: I have found serving as a CCE MGV gives me opportunities to meet a wide variety of community members, provide gardening education and work with an amazing team of other MGV. Don’t be intimated by the training since all the instructors want you to learn and be successful and are open and supportive. Serving as a MGV will add a new and meaningful component to your life and opportunities to contribute to the health and wellness of our communities.

Bloom: I had a friend who was a Master Gardner and she encouraged me to take the class. I am glad I did. Because of her I can give back to the community one plant at a time. Also, the Demo Garden gives us an opportunity to grow food, and we donate some of it to the food kitchen. It is very satisfying.