I’m In!

The two passions of my life have been horses and gardening.  I’ve never had as much time as I would like for either, and its something I intend to remedy now that I am retired.

I started gardening, oh, about 25 years ago when my kids were small.  I experimented with flowers and vegetables and trees.  Some lived, some didn’t.  I read a lot and I went to classes offered at various locations.  Often, the classes were taught by Master Gardeners.  I was impressed with, and envied, their knowledge.

After we moved up here, I learned that UC Davis offers a certification course to become a Master Gardener.  I inquired.  At the time, there was no way that I could make the time commitment and so I, sadly, put certification on my bucket list for retirement.

Guess what?  I’m retired now.   And the first thing I did?  Even before my retirement date?  You know it.  I called UC Davis to see if there would be a program in 2020.  The answer was yes.  So, after attending an orientation class, submitting an application, and enduring an interview by a panel of ten Master Gardeners (yikes), I found out today that I have been accepted into the program.

Champagne and pizza for dinner tonight.

Certification is a lot of work.  I will be attending lectures one day a week, all day.  There will be homework, and reading, and exams.  There will be labs.  And, when I finish in late spring, I will be a rookie Master Gardener.

As a Master Gardener, I will provide education to the public — backyard gardeners — through teaching classes, writing articles, going to Farmers Markets and the County Fair, giving demonstrations, and manning the help line.  I can’t wait!!!

Classes start in January.  In the meantime, I need to get my books and get fingerprinted and all that jazz.