Have you heard of the Colorado Master Gardener program in Pueblo County? If not, you are missing out on a terrific resource gardeners of all skill levels can take advantage of.
The first Master Gardener program was started in 1973 at Washington State University Cooperative Extension. The purpose of the program was then, and still is, to extend the ability of a county’s horticulture agent to reach people with research-based horticultural information. Master Gardeners are now active in all 50 states and eight Canadian provinces.
When you reach out to a Master Gardener, you can rest assured they know their stuff, or at least where to find it. Our volunteers go through an in-depth training program in which they learn everything there is to know about gardening in Colorado and where to find science-based answers to people’s questions.
If you have gardening questions, you can reach the Master Gardeners during their helpline hours - 9-11 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The number to call is 719-583-6566. You can also email pueblomastergardener@gmail.com.
Look for Master Gardeners staffing educational tables at local events such as the Pueblo West Community Marketplace, the SHED/Master Gardener plant sale (9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 7 in the Ag Palace at the Colorado State Fairgrounds) and the state fair (Aug. 26-Sept. 5). They also host events such as the annual Xeriscape garden tour in June and various gardening classes at the extension office.
Check out the Pueblo County Extension website at pueblo.extension.colostate.edu to stay up to date on all the events the Master Gardeners have coming up.
