Grand Erie Master Gardeners

Ever since I was a child I've been fascinated by the natural world. Watching my mother toil in her gardens to produce pristine landscapes I vowed to do the same when I grew up. Our love for birds and nature brought us together. 
But what I didn't realize was that her gardens were all created with non-native plants. She knew nothing about the importance of growing native plants to support our animals and pollinators. And of course I learned from her. As time went on I started to learn about how our native bees, butterflies and plants were in peril. I decided to research why this was happening and how I could help. It became apparent that we all needed to do something. When I learned about Masters Gardeners and their mandate to educate the public about the importance of responsible gardening, I knew I had to be part of it. 
I have a long way to go but already I see a remarkable change in the birds, bees, butterflies and beauty that has arrived in my gardens since I've reduced my lawn, created native gardens incorporating water features, wood piles and native trees and leaving the leaves and plant stalks to allow our native bugs to sleep in over the winter. 
I look forward to learning so much more from the knowledgeable people at Grand Erie Master Gardeners and sharing it with communities around the area. 

" For me, the values are many.  Even though I've had a life-long interest in horticulture, being a Master Gardener allows me to learn from others in my community and gives me access to a whole new set of resources.

There is also value in how I am both inspired by other Master Gardeners and how I can help inspire others to achieve their dream gardens. I love passing on the information that I've learned that has proven so worthwhile to me.  

 
There is also so much value in the community that develops around gardening. I'm so thankful for the opportunities I've had to make connections with other Master Gardeners and members of my community. " 

"To me, the most valuable part of the Master Gardener Organisation is the education I've received; learning new things about plants and gardening.  


I also enjoy meeting and speaking /sharing ideas with people who also share my passion for all things gardening.  


I joined Master Gardeners because I wanted to learn more and formalise my knowledge.  I also enjoy meeting with the public and potentially inspiring them to become gardeners, too.  


And my guilty pleasure is qualifying for the title. "

I love gardening! I have always been interested in expanding my knowledge in ways to care for my lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens.

I enjoy the camaraderie and friendship of others who share the same interests in gardening.

I like to share my horticulture knowledge with other individuals and organizations within in my community.

Being part of community activities and the social aspect of being a Master Gardener is wonderful. It is a chance to meet new and interesting individuals. 

Since I work in the horticultural industry, becoming a certified Master Gardener has added to my skill set and credentials.  

It is not necessary that I have all the answers; it’s only necessary that I know how to find them. 

The wide range of science-based resources available to a Master Gardener certainly allows for this. 

Photo above from Lynne's garden.  An Early Large Flowered Clematis called 'The President'. 

Group 2 Clematis. 

 I’ve always loved gardens, and trails and pathways, and I’ve always taken an interest in all things plants, indoors and out.

I have three properties, each with a very different landscape. One is in a survey in the city, one is in a forest on a bluff, and the other is on the rocks at a lake. I enjoy gardening in each one of these spaces and embrace the different challenges they provide.

Being a Master Gardener to me means really learning from my gardening peers and studying new information and life-long learning.
 

Photo of Marilyn peaking out from her greenhouse.

Gardening has been my joy and stress-release for many years, as well as an outlet for my artistic expression. I have a strong scientific background and becoming a Master Gardener allows me to combine the art with the science of gardening while contributing to our community. 

Being able to share the knowledge that I have gained over the years while continually learning more quality science-based gardening information has been a real gift from the Master Gardeners program. 

Our world is facing a climate and biodiversity crisis, and being able to support and educate others about ecologically beneficial gardening gives me hope. It is my small part in trying to help our environment... and small parts can add up to make a real difference.”

Photo above from Laura's garden: 

 Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) feeding a monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)  

  Since I was a young kid I watched my grandfather in his vegetable garden and my mom turn our yard into a colourful landscape of beautiful blooms. Much of my childood was spent outdoors playing in and watching the nature around me. These early years developed a yearning to know more and form a deeper understanding of the intricacy of ecosystems around me. 

I garden at my workplace which has a community garden, and at home on my own property. 

I have learned an immense amount of gardening and nature knowledge from Master Gardeners of Ontario, and from my peers in the Grand Eerie group of MG's.

I think Master Gardeners can provide so much to a community, both to the people and the small creatures and living things. A Master Gardener studies and continues education in horticulture and natural ecosystems to be able to provide the public with help in their own backyards, workplaces, towns, cities, and food gardens, or growing operations. I think it is so rewarding to a be part of such a great group.

I am currently studying with the University of Guelph, horticultural studies to train and become a Master Gardener.

Photo above from Kim's meadow: 

Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphiltica) an Ontario Native Plant. Also pictured is a black swallowtail butterfly (Papelio polyxenes).