\"IT'S MY FIRST YARD . . . WHAT DO I DO????\"
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Eugene Matzat
North Liberty
Abstract
"It's My First Yard . . . What Do I Do????": Yard and Gardening for Beginners is a successful Master Gardener-led program that grew out of a need to provide basic horticulture information to Habitat for Humanity partner families. A local Master Gardener project was helping Habitat families install simple yard and landscaped areas for their newly constructed homes. Upon requests for information about care and maintenance of these new "first yards", Master Gardeners developed a one-day class that not only provided basic horticulture information but also was approved for community service hours required by Habitat.\r\n\r\nThe program started with four basic goals: 1) provide a quality basic horticulture program for local citizens, especially for Habitat families, that was free or little cost to the participants; 2) solicit local sponsors to offset the cost and gain community support; 3) have Master Gardeners teach the workshop components; and 4) remain flexible to respond to participant feedback and community needs.\r\n\r\nNow in its fourth year, "My First Yard" class has grown to be a popular community event, attracting 70 participants in its latest spring workshop. Presentations are made by trained Master Gardeners on basic home landscaping; understanding soils; lawn care and mowing; lawnmower maintenance; choosing the right plant mix; planting and watering plants; edging and mulching; choosing the right plant mix; and understanding plant tags. Most presentations used visual aids such as slides or physical materials. Each participant received 3-ring divided notebooks with Extension publications or other materials on each subject for reference.\r\n\r\nEvaluation forms returned valuable feedback and encouragement for continuing and expanding this program. A fall workshop has been added to instruct participants how to put their yards and gardens "to bed" for the winter. Interested workshop participants have also been encouraged to sign up for the 13-week Master Gardener training course offered each fall. The workshop received second-place recognition in the workshop category in the Search for Excellence award program at the 2009 International Master Gardener Conference.
Authors: Matzat, E. A.
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Matzat, E. A. Extension Educator-Ag& Natural Resources, La Porte County, Indiana, 46350