Lincoln County office of OSU Extension Service receives more than 5,000 requests for home gardening information annually. To provide information and answer residents’ questions, Extension enlists the assistance of Master Gardener volunteers. Begun in 1982, the Master Gardener program teaches and trains volunteers to answer questions in person, by phone or by email. Many new residents to Lincoln County experienced and inexperienced gardeners are interested in receiving local gardening advice. The Master Gardener program is designed for volunteers to help home gardeners in diagnosing plant and insect related problems, soil preparation, plant maintenance and propagation, correct pruning methods, identifying plants, and selecting appropriate plant materials for coastal gardening. Volunteers do not need to know all the answers, but where to find them! The program teaches volunteers how to answer questions using sources of gardening information available through state and local publications, education programs and workshops, research conducted at Oregon State University, and the Extension Service. It provides Master Gardeners with tools to become better gardeners, an awareness of sustainable gardening practices, an opportunity to give service to others, and to become part of a network of fellow, like minded gardeners.

extension.oregonstate.edu/lincoln/master_gardeners#what%20is%20MG%20program

Lincoln County Extension Office at 541-574-6534, or toll free at 1-888-350-2125 to receive an application by mail. Return it to the LIncoln County Extension Office, 29 SE 2nd St., Newport, OR 97365.

Video production by Lincoln County Public Information Officer Casey Miller - co.lincoln.or.us/board/casey_miller.html