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Kent County Extension
775 Ball Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
49503
United States

Email Address: msue41@msu.edu
Phone: 616-336-3265
Fax: 616-336-3836
 
News and Events

  

Upcoming Dates:   Download
February 14, 2012 Love Your Watershed! Class Brochure
February 9, 2012 Plants of Distinction (Grand Rapids) Brochure
February 10, 2012 Plants of Distinction (Novi) Brochure
March 3, 2012 2012 Stuck On Gardening Conference Brochure


::
Floriade 2012 European Garden Study Tour

Floriade 2012 European Garden Study Tour with Rebecca Finneran
Quick Links:

2012 Plants of Distinction

2012 Plants of Distinction
(Dowload Brochure/Registration Form)

Dates :: Locations :: Details

Grand Rapids 
February 9, 2012 (Thursday)
Crowne Plaza-GR Airport
5700 East 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, 49546
Novi 
February 10, 2012 (Friday)
Crowne Plaza-Novi
27000 Sheraton Drive, Novi, 48377

Cost: $75.00 per participant          (Includes lunch, refreshments, handouts)

Questions?

About Grand Rapids location:
Kent County MSU Extension
616.336.3265
or visit  www.stuckongardening.com

About Novi location:
MSU Extension District 11 Office
248.380.9100 Ext. 208

Registration Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2012
Registration at the door is not available.

PROGRAM

Designs and Plants for Greener Gardens
 Jeff Epping, Director of Horticulture,  Olbrich Gardens, Madison, Wisconsin

Green or sustainable gardens make sense for many reasons—they’re good for the environment and they are good for us.  When resources are tight, people still want beautiful gardens, but gardens that need less time, water and chemical inputs to grow.  Green horticulture depends upon designing sustainable gardens up front—carefully analyzing site conditions and utilizing plants well adapted for the conditions.  Epping will present greener garden ideas that he and his staff have created at Olbrich and gardens across the country. 

Season Long Color
 Jim Nau, Horticulturist,  Ball Horticulture, Illinois

Join Ball Horticulture's Jim Nau on a journey to find the most accommodating seasonal plants for gardens and landscapes in 2012.  Fantastic foliage, scintillating color combinations and environmentally savvy plants will all be featured during "Season Long Color."  Nau's presentation couples his years of experience with one of the nation's foremost plant producers through a cavalcade of brilliantly illustrated images that are sure to inspire.  

Shrub Roses: An American Love Affair 
 Chuck Martin, Horticulture Curator Woody Plant Collection, Dow Gardens, Midland, Michigan

Roses have been appreciated by mankind since prehistoric times.  With America’s on-going love affair of roses coupled with a growing concern for our environment, gardeners are taking advantage of lower maintenance shrub roses.  Dozens of cultivated varieties, each with their own effervescent personality, will be defined along with their use and maintenance by rose-expert Chuck Martin of Dow Gardens in Midland, Michigan. 

Small Trees with Big Impact
 Jeff Epping

Small-scale trees are key players in a well-designed garden for their year round beauty.  Whether you’re after beautiful flowers, fruit, bark, form or fall color, there is a tree to fit your needs.  Epping will sort through the top performing small-scale ornamental trees and great combos for midwestern gardens.   
 

Truth about Garden Remedies Truth about Organic Gardening Jeff Gillman 2012 Stuck On Gardening Conference
Featuring: Horticulturist, Author and “Garden Myth Buster”
Dr. Jeff Gillman

(Download Conference and Registration Brochure)

Saturday, March 3, 2012
DeVos Place
Grand Rapids, Michigan
9:00 am – 4:00 pm


PROGRAM

“The Truth about Organic Gardening and Myth-bustin’ Garden Remedies”
Dr. Jeff Gillman, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota

“Time and Space—what makes a Japanese Garden”
Steve LaWarre, Director of Horticulture Frederik Meijer Gardens

“Greening Your Garden”
Rebecca Finneran, MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator

“Veggies Galore!!”
Renee Shepherd, Renee’s Garden, Felton CA

Questions? (616) 336-3265

*Your registration includes a 2-day pass (Saturday/Sunday) to the 2012 West Michigan Home and Garden Show
*Recertification: MSU Extension Master Gardeners qualify for 5 advanced education credits.

For more information, contact Ginny Wanty  at: (616) 336-3265  wanty@msu.edu

Registration Deadline is Wednesday February 29, 2011
Registration at the door is not available.

 

Support the Grand Ideas Garden with a Brick Donation (Brick Order Form )
If you are interested in supporting the Grand Ideas Garden, you can order them by downloading the brick order form. Inscribed bricks are available in two sizes:
$50 - 4"x8" (up to three lines, 13 characters each line)
$100 - 8"x8" (No Logo, up to 78 characters, up to three lines, 13 characters each line



 
Learn how to protect your tomatoes next year against Late Blight
Find out more information on how to protect tomatoes from Late Blight in the MSU Diagnostic Late Blight Fact Sheet (2.9MB file, you may want to right-click on the link and save it to your computer.)

 

 

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Education Opportunities

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 2012 Master Naturalist Program  
Registrations for the 2012 Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program will open to the general public around March 15. If you are interested in being a 2012 Master Naturalist participant, please ask to be placed on the 2012 Master Naturalist Waiting List (download the 2012 Waiting List brochure).

In case you are not familiar with the Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program, it is similar to the Master Gardener program only with a focus on conservation and the environment.  To earn Master Naturalist certification, participants must complete 25 hours of Education (six classes), 30 hours of volunteering in an approved conservation setting and then passing a take home final exam.
 
The Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program is composed of a series of six classes which are offered on six different Saturdays mornings.  The 2012 classes will be offered on a Saturday morning from 8:00-12:30. The six locations vary but all locations are considered nature settings around the Grand Rapids area.  The titles of the six classes are as follows: 
- Overview to Conservation Theory and Practice
- Woodland Wildflowers
- Native Trees and Shrubs
- Michigan Wetland Habitats
- Invasive Plant Species
- Prairie Environments.
 
If you would like to be placed on the waiting list for the 2012 Master Naturalist class, then download the 2012 Waiting list registration form.  Fill out the form and mail it back to Ginny Wanty at 775 Ball Avenue, Grand Rapids MI 49503.  Once placed on the waiting list then you will receive the 2012 class brochure earlier than others.

If you have questions regarding the Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program, please contact Ginny Wanty, Master Naturalist Program Coordinator at 616-336-3108 or at wanty@msu.edu .

 

Are you are ready to explore the out-of-doors this winter?  The Kent/MSU Extension Master Naturalist program is pleased to be offering two Master Naturalist Supplemental Classes this winter.

“Naked Trees and Cold Feet” will be held on Saturday, January 21
from 8:00 to noon at Cannon Township Hall and Pickerel Lake. 
This class will be taught by Dr. Rob Keys.
In this class we will be learning the keys to identifying trees in the winter and learning how to track and identify animals who are active all winter long.
Download flyer for registration form and additional information.

“Stream Analysis” will be held on Saturday, February 11
from 8:00 to noon at Cornerstone University and Townsend Park.
This class will be taught by will be taught by Ray Gates.
In this class, participants will learn how to predict water quality.  Once the top layer of snow is removed, aquatic insects and crustaceans can be found in the moving water of Bear Creek. 
Download flyer for registration form and additional information.

 

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Volunteer Opportunities

These are pre-approved volunteer opportunities, please obtain approval from the Master Gardener Coordinator to apply your volunteer hours on a project that is not listed here. 
** Indicates a newer project. Please notify John Choals at 336-3283 if you reply to a posting.

Volunteer Opportunities (Extension Related):

Opportunities coming soon...

Volunteer Opportunities (Personal Choice):

Opportunities coming soon...

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Becoming A Master Gardener
The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application.

Applicants attend classes in Kent county, learning basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. They then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community.

The Master Gardener course provides an overview of major horticultural subjects in a classroom setting. Session topics are:
1. Plant Science
2. Soils for Plant Growth
3. Flower Gardening
4. Household Pests & Wildlife
5. Indoor Plants
6. Integrated Pest Management
7. Lawn Care
8. Growing Small Fruits
9. Growing Fruit Trees
10. Vegetable Gardening
11. Woody Ornamentals

Upon completion of their educational training, students provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community. Their volunteer leadership and service provide home gardening information to their community through a wide variety of gardening related activities.

Please contact: John Choals (choals@msu.edu) program coordinator for application information.
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Consumer Horticulture

Kent/MSU Extension horticulture staff assist county residents in accessing research-based educational programs, information and materials that applies to

  • home gardens
  • lawns
  • landscaping
  • annuals
  • bulbs
  • perennials
  • diseases
  • insects
  • pruning
  • turf grass
  • vegetable gardening
  • small tree fruits
  • soil testing
  • other plant-related topics.

Another resource your Kent County Extension office has is access to the Michigan Master Gardener Program. You may ask "what is the Master Gardener Program?" and the answer would be: "Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application. Applicants attend classes in their county, learning basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. They then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community." Contact your county Extension office and talk with a Master Gardener volunteer with your specific questions, or talk about your interest in being a volunteer involved with this program!

MSU Extension Staff with Horticulture Expertise:

Rebecca Finneran, Horticulture Educator
finneran@msu.edu
616-336-3265

Master Gardener Lawn & Garden Hotline
616-336-3881

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Mission


MSUE Master Gardener Logo

"The Mission of the Kent/MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is to reach out to educate our diverse community by integrating research-based, horticultural knowledge and volunteer experiences to inspire gardening and environmental stewardship."

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Lawn and Garden Hotline
Do you have a question?
Is something bugging you?
Do your plants look like something is wrong?
Give the Kent MSU Extension Master Gardener Hotline
a call at 616-336-3881.
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Rebecca's Blog

Rebecca's Blog 
 Visit Rebecca Finneran's blog at MyFavoriteGardenShops.com
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Grand Ideas Garden

If you would like to visit the Grand Ideas Garden you may use one of the following links for a map.
775 Ball Ave., Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Google Map
Mapquest
Microsoft Live Map

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Online Volunteer Recording
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Green Pages Newsletter

The newsletter will be e-mailed to active Kent/MSU Extension Master Gardeners. If you would like an additional copy, please download one below:

Green Pages Summer 2011
Green Pages Spring 2011
Green Pages Winter 2011
Green Pages Summer 2010

 

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Master Gardener Links
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Master Gardener Forms
You have not added any links, click the 'Edit' button to add links.
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Gardening Resources Detach

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Gardening in Michigan
Developed by MSU Consumer Horticulture Team with MSU IPM Program

 Master Gardener
The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension. 

Ornamental Plants Plus
MSU Extension full text database on cultivars, diseases, and pests, management and planting. Very comprehensive. 

MSU Diagnostic Center
From the Diagnostic Center, information on the kinds of tests they run, how to take them, and the costs.

MSU Gardens
Links to many of the gardens, some with virtual tours. You will need to scroll down to see the listing.

MSU Extension Bookstore
Many bulletins on gardening topics, some online.

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 Site MapLinking | Disclaimer | Anti-Discrimination Statement © 2003 Michigan State University    
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.