The Potter County Master Gardeners have been busy.  There are 3 new trainees working towards their Master Gardener certification.  Basic training began on October 6, 2022 and will continue through March, 2023.

Basic training classes are utilizing a virtual format which has proven to be very popular with trainees.  It provides considerably more scheduling flexibility and reduces travel, which is especially helpful during the winter months. Trainees work independently each week to read the assigned chapter in the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Manual, watch the corresponding webinar and take the online “check your knowledge” quiz. 

Basic Training topics include Botany, Plant Propagation, Soil Health, Fertilizers, Composting, Controlling Pests Safely, Basic Entomology, Plant Diseases, Indoor Plants, Vegetables, Lawn Care, Tree Fruits, Landscape Design, Native Plants, Communications, Pruning, Small Fruits, Woody Ornamentals, Herbaceous Plants, Weeds, Plant Diagnostics, Weeds and Invasive Species.  Trainees and current Master Gardeners recently completed interactive activities related to Botany, Soils and Common Vegetable Diseases.  A hands-on pruning session has been scheduled for later in February during which trainees will have the opportunity to apply their pruning skills with guidance from a Penn State instructor.

As part of the classes, trainees will also learn about the history of Penn State Extension, have opportunities to meet and talk with certified Master Gardeners, and be introduced to Extension’s Volunteer Portal.  The Volunteer Portal provides information and resources for volunteers, connects them to service opportunities, and helps them keep track of their volunteer and continuing education hours. Weekly class meetings are conducted by Potter County Master Gardener Coordinator, Leona Smith, with assistance from Clinton County Master Gardeners Amy Strong and Charles Kincaid. 

Master Gardener services available in Potter County include assistance with community gardens, delivery of gardening workshops for the public, a garden hotline, and more.  Master Gardeners and trainees are participating in the Home Garden Vegetable Trials sponsored by the Penn State Master Gardener program featuring 2 each of 5 different pepper plants.   Weekly reports will be sent to the statewide program on how our peppers are growing and final production information will be submitted.

Applications are now available for a plot in the Potter County Community Garden, located to the rear of the Penn State Extension office on Water Street in Coudersport.  Contact Barry Hayman (814)274-8290 or email PCCG2022@googlegroups.com.

Gardening workshops are being planned now for the upcoming season.   A Seed-Starting Workshop is scheduled for Thursday, March 30^th.  Future workshops will include Planning Your Garden, Container Gardening, Common Vegetable Diseases and more.  For additional information on the workshops available please call 814-274-8540 extension 103 or send email to PotterMG@psu.edu.

Garden hotline services will go live in late April and continue through September.

The current group of Master Gardener trainees will take their final exams in early April, after which they will move to the apprenticeship phase of their training where they are required to complete 50 hours of volunteer service with guidance from experienced Master Gardeners.  Trainees are currently working closely with Certified Master Gardeners in all aspects of the program. 

The next Master Gardener Basic Training class in Potter County is scheduled to begin in October, 2023.  More information can be obtained by contacting Leona Smith at (814)274-8540 ext 103 or email lds5520@psu.edu.