The arrival of spring this year was an occasion for gardeners to prepare the soil and start new plantings. For Nebraska Extension educators, it was the time to lead training sessions for the new set of Master Gardener volunteers.
The 40 hours of instruction give aspiring master gardeners a broad-based, much-appreciated understanding of horticultural care. Topics include soil health, plant selection, pollinators, turf management, tree care, water conservation and pest management.
“I had gardened for years, but the classes were extensive,” said Betsy Anderson, a Blair resident who became a master gardener in 2017 along with her husband, Bill. “It was a tremendous amount of information. I often go back and look at those resources to see if I’m doing something correctly.”…