CASSVILLE, Mo. — Nearly 60 area gardeners attended the spring gardening workshop hosted by Barry County Master Gardeners on March 9 at Crowder College in Cassville.
Patrick Byers, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension, shared information on growing many different kinds of berries in the Ozarks. He also presented a program on specialty bulbs that add interest to our gardens and containers.
Shon Bishop, a small farms specialist with Lincoln University, presented many tips for success in the vegetable garden including varieties that did best in local University testing.
Sherrel Carlson, a fifth generation herbalist, described medicinal and food uses for some of our area’s mushrooms and herbs.
This was the third annual spring gardening workshop that the Barry County Master Gardeners have hosted. The group organized in 2015. Members have attained Master Gardener status by completing instructional requirements through the University of Missouri-Extension.
Members of the Barry County Master Gardeners chapter maintain plantings at the Cassville Library and work with Roaring River State Park’s Naturalists to maintain the park’s native plant gardens.
The chapter’s next event will be a plant sale on May 5 near the northeast corner of the Courthouse Square.
The mission of the Missouri Master Gardener program is “to train volunteers to educate others about safe, effective and sustainable garden practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.” Tens of thousands of volunteer hours are recorded each year across Missouri as Master Gardeners work toward fulfilling the mission.
To learn more about Master Gardeners, stop by the University of Missouri Extension office in the Barry County courthouse or call (417) 847-3161.
— Reagan Bluel, University of Missouri Extension
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