A GARDEN BLOG

Ok..so I did it…I started and finished something I had wanted to do for 3 years. My highest academic achievement really…I successfully passed the University of Tennessee EXTENSION Williamson County TN Master Gardener course. I put in my volunteer n continuing ed  hours, I passed the test, now lo n behold…I am a “Master Gardener, CERTIFIED Master Gardener that is..I have the badge, the paper, I go to meetings, heck I am even a newly appointed Board Member…but..does this really make me a “MASTER GARDENER”…? HELL NO!  A true MASTER is something for the Jedi warriors who’ve been working on harnessing the Force for millenia..ok so maybe this is a stretch we are mortal and depending on your socio economic and genetic make up human life span only allows for so many sun rises and sun sets…but to be a Master at anything to me implies a person has really been at it for YEARS. There are countless quotes of wisdom on this subject and it’s one subject the Master Gardener Programs across the country battle. I truly love the academic process of learning and encourage all people young and old working or retired to check out the Master Gardener programs in your county Ag Extension Programs wherever u live in the country. The benefits are wonderful, you meet people who share interest in plants, you can challenge yourself to learn things about plants you dont care about, it’s a fantastic important program that has tremendous potential to turn out future Gardeners..but really, when you get the certification…be open and honest about your level of experience in the world of horticulture and gardening..only TIME and TRIAL builds experience and thus bring a true mastery of any subject so KEEP LEARNING!!! even if u cant be IN a garden you can read about great gardens of the world..Watching streamed videos of the great MONTY DONS 80 Gardens of the World or the UKs beloved Gardeners World has done more to ignite my love of landscape gardening and culture than just about anything I have been able to engage in locally, and I have not even been over the pond..so..find your area of interest, seek knowledge from those true Master Gardeners who have earned the title from years of dirt, grit, trials n error..regardless of a printed certificate…But DO go earn the certificate as it is truly a boon to confidence to start and complete something and it’s rather fun to add the framed print to your own personal wall of fame…