Master Gardeners are there when you need them
The Union Democrat''s LodeLink and HomeLink Gold Internet services will be showcased at the Home and Garden Show.The newspaper's Internet services manager, Zachary Britton, and his staff will have computers to will show people how to "surf the net" using LodeLink (www.lodelink.com) and shop for their dream homes using HomeLink Gold (www.homelinkgold.com).
A free drawing will be held in the booth for one year of free Internet service.
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Master Gardeners will have something new this year at the Home and Garden Show.
They will have a limited number of plants and other garden-related gifts for sale. People will also be given small prizes, and a free drawing will be held for a surprise gift worth at least $50.
As usual, there will also be about 20 garden experts on hand to answer questions and offer free advice.
Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by the University of California Extension Service and have access to information and experts from the university to help with questions they can't answer by themselves.
Trainees complete nine six-hour classes over a nine-week period and pass a final test. They then must donate time over the next year before becoming full-fledged Master Gardeners.
Tuolumne County Farm Adviser Franz Rulofson is involved in the training and helps the group start fulfilling its purpose of educating the public on current techniques for yards, gardens and small farms,
This year marks the 26th anniversary of Master Gardening, which began in 1972. The first Tuolumne County Master Gardeners were trained in 1983.
Master Gardeners conduct workshops and demonstrations, speak to groups, answer gardening questions by telephone, help with community landscape projects, and sometimes make home visits to advise on special problems.
Already in 1997, pruning clinics were held for fruit and nut trees, and in February, Master Gardeners planted and pruned roses at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.
Plans for the next few months include composting clinics, the Second Annual Garden Tour, participation in the Home and Garden Show at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds and continued maintenance and planting of perennials at the fairgrounds.
The club raises funds through the annual garden tour to purchase new books for the extension library, to update computers and for other things available to the public.
The next training in this area for Master Gardeners will be in Calaveras County. Each applicant must agree to return a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service.
Information about the program and about fire retardant plants, composting and gardening in general will be available at the Home and Garden Show or by calling the cooperative extension office in Sonora (533-5695).
Master Gardeners
University of California Cooperative Extension
52 N. Washington St., Sonora
533-5695