Got a Gardening Question?
While the hogs sleep, goats bleat, and roosters crow in the Livestock Barns at the Dixon May Fair, UC Master Gardeners from Solano County are inside the Southard Floriculture Building answering about plants and insects.
- “Why did my plant die?”
- "How can I grow great tomatoes?”
- "What can I do about all the aphids?”
- "What’s that big black bee flying around the garden?”
Holding forth at the fair on Friday were UC Master Gardeners Dave Hutson of Vacaville, Ann Short of Fairfield; Tommy Martin of Fairfield and Amy Haug of Dixon.
The UC Master Gardener Program, launched in 1980, delivers UC research directly to gardeners and other interested persons
“More than just a gardening program, UC Master Gardener is an education and outreach statewide program of the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). UC Master Gardeners are in their communities, helping build more sustainable landscapes,” its website says.
The volunteers provide services and outreach at more than 1,286 demonstration, community, and school gardens across 52 California counties.
The statistics show:
- 6,154 active volunteers statewide
- 446,237 volunteer hours contributed in the last year
- More than 6.8 million hours donated since the program began
Director of the statewide program (since 2013) is Missy Gable.
Meanwhile, the UC Master Gardeners will be at the floriculture building through Sunday, May 10, the last day of the four-day fair.
Are you interesting in joining the UC Master Gardener Program? Access the About Us page.
