Master Gardeners of the Ozark Present “Brown Bag Lunch” Garden Series; Next Session is June 4

Contact: Chrystal Irons, business development specialist
Tel: (417) 546-4431
E-mail: ironsc@missouri.edu

FORSYTH, Mo. -- The Master Gardeners of the Ozarks are presenting a series of gardening programs this summer to be held in the backyard of the Taney County MU Extension Center in Forsyth at the Master Gardener’s Native Plant Garden.

Various programs will be held on the first Tuesday of the month May through October beginning at noon. These programs are free and open to the public.

The May class was presented by one of our local Master Gardeners, Laurie McCann. She did an “Introduction to our Herb Garden” and also allowed the participants a chance to savor some samples of herbs and how to use them.

UPCOMING CLASSES

Tuesday, June 4: Linda Ellis, botanical and natural science illustrator and Master Gardener will present a class on “Native Landscaping.” She will give a walking tour of the native garden beds. Ellis is a dedicated “organic” gardener, and will be able to recommend plants for birds and butterflies.

Tuesday, July 2: Dr. Tom Riley, retired professor of entomology at the University of Louisiana, will explore the topic of insects in the garden. Dr. Riley will explore the gardens to identify insects and explain whether they are beneficial insects or pests. Attendees are invited to bring in insects or insect damage from their home gardens and he will attempt to identify them.

Tuesday, Aug. 6: Joe and Cathy Wolven will give a presentation on wild edibles. Learn
from these experts how to identify and use the plants in Mother Nature’s landscape.

Tuesday, Sept. 3: Joann Fisher will present “Blue Barrel Gardening.” Do you wish to garden, but find yourself low on space? Are you looking for new ways to garden? Join Fisher as she shows us how to re-purpose blue barrels to use for vegetables or flowers.

Tuesday, Oct. 1: “Harvesting and Preserving Your Herbs,” presented by Barb Emge, Master

Gardener and owner of the Red Barn Herb Farm in Republic. Emge will demonstrate preserving and using your harvest.

PACK A LUNCH

“Pack a lunch and come and join us in our garden for these free informative sessions,” said Master Gardener Marva Ramsey. “Though their hard work, grants and donations, the Master Gardeners of the Ozarks have provided the Taney County Extension Center with one of the most beautiful gardens in the county and they would like to share it with you.”

Classes will be held in the backyard of the Taney County Extension Center at 122 Felkins Avenue in Forsyth just down for the Taney County jail. For further information call the Taney County University of Missouri Extension Center at 417-546-4431.