Master Gardening 101

   

     The only thing I love more than creating, is learning something new (so that I can create some more). And when your schedule's full already, I've learned the way to incorporate new is to take it bit by bit, one step at a time...one class at a time if you're into the discipline thing. (Sometimes it helps to commit to others so as to keep yourself on track.)
     I knew it was a time commitment; on the other hand, I knew if I wanted to get better with the whole gardening thing, the secret was to keep on learning...expand my horizons.
     I've bragged in blogs past on the local Ag Extension office. A division of the University of Tennessee's Ag department, every county has one, and may I just reiterate: Best kept secret in all of gardening and farming. I was first introduced to this office when I went to put up a goat fence and the guy installing it asked if I'd run it by the Ag Office. "What? It's a fence. Not a barn...Tell me there are no codes." "Naw" he said..."There's help!" That little sentence launched the beginning of one of my greatest relationships in the world...That being with the office solely created to help folks like me tackle something so multi-faceted as starting a farm or garden. These folks have answers for everything, and if they don't, they'll find 'em. From licensed well-drillers to proper goat fencing to farm financing ....you name it and there is someone who'll walk you through it. I kid you not, this is the greatest resource known to the first time farmer. I truly cannot say enough.
     A time commitment, yes, and a little bit of money, but already I can tell the investment will pay off as I made my way to my first "Master Gardening" class. With a handbook larger than anything I ever digested in undergrad or grad courses, these folks take their gardening seriously, and the panel of specialist there to mentor us through was worth the price of the ticket alone.
     So in addition to cute goat signs and pup-updates, get ready for the tidbits of trivia this one's gonna net you. If the reading isn't fascinating enough, the hands on volunteer projects are sure to keep me hopping. (There's a reason our state is so green. And the reason I personally think we're this nation's garden of Eden.) Here's to the folks who saw value in making a master's program out of it. I, for one have my notebook ready and my highlighters on hand. (Wasn't too keen on last night's pop quiz, but it was encouraging to know there are specialists to call for everything from soil to trees to winter grasses, and I for one, plan to have every one of them in my speed dial before this thing is through!)