As summer gardens grow, Master Gardener Mona Kneuss stated, “Removing dead headings is important right now, and dead debris should be removed so the soil can breathe.” Sometimes when a plant goes to seed, like Marigolds, the ‘deadhead’ of the plant will fall, and it can affect the life cycle of the plant. If those aren’t plucked, the plant will sometimes begin to die prematurely, as it’s ‘deadhead’ prompts the whole plant to reach the end of the life cycle because it has dropped its seed.
That is just a sample of tips Richland County residents can glean from a Master Gardener. Kneuss has been a part of the Master Gardeners program for three years, and this year she is the president. The purpose of the program is “to beautify the community,” Kneuss said, “And to help people grow their own food.”
Knuess is excited that last year’s incoming class of Master Gardeners included 33 individuals.
“Being around other gardeners is like a never-ending book of knowledge,” Knuess said. As they meet every other month, speakers from the OSU extension will often present classes to the Master Gardeners, as a part of the continual education process.
A program of the Richland County OSU Extension Office, the Master Gardeners focus on education and volunteering. After six months of gardening classes, an individual commits to fifty hours of volunteer work in the community, caring for the public gardens in Richland County. Every year after, a returning Master Gardener commits to ten hours volunteering and attending six meetings a year.
Kneuss enjoys the continual education the program offers, and “It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors,” she stated. In the last few years, enrollment in the program and member retention has been up. “There are so many ways to volunteer,” Kneuss said while working at Kingwood Center’s greenhouse.
The rose garden, and perennial garden at Kingwood utilize volunteers, and individuals can do planting and pulling, and help care for annuals. “We couldn’t function without our volunteers,” Kneuss stated. “We’ve had to pull up our pant legs and do a little extra just to get through.”
“There are opportunities at the fairgrounds, crossover with the men’s gardening club, and volunteers can be a part of Kingwood landscaping,” she added. Kneuss is also Vice President of the Friends of the Mansfield Parks, and they’ve stepped in when cuts to city budget went into effect. They organize trash pickups and have helped organize a huge summer program in South Park.
Knuess has been interested in gardening since she was a young sprout herself. “I learned from my neighbor lady, who gave me a spider-plant and a peanut cactus.” As she got older and began moving, Knuess recalled, digging up her plants and taking them with her. “Take a piece here, a piece there,” she said, “That’s how you get started.”
To learn more about the program go to http://richland.osu.edu/topics/master-gardener-volunteer-program/richland-county-master-gardeners
