Print

---

Tom R. Jeskie

Tennessee Master Gardener

Roane County

865-919-5769

 
Workshop Announcement

Title:

Free Workshop Sessions Being Offered By the Roane County Master Gardeners


Text:

In keeping with always reflecting the educational missions of the Master Gardener Program and the University of Tennessee Extension Service, the members of the Master Gardeners of Roane County (MGRC) strive to be educators, advisors and helpers. The MGRC, in cooperation with the Roane County Extension Service and the University of Tennessee will conduct a Community Training Day on Saturday, March 13th. This is the 5th annual workshop of its type held in Roane County. Each year’s workshop has been an overwhelming success. The MGRC believe this event will provide an educational opportunity for local community members, garden enthusiasts, and other Master Gardeners. Plans include having subject matter experts and Roane County Master Gardeners conduct this workshop.

The MGRC will provide community training on a variety of subjects. Although other short sessions related to gardening may still be added and presented as time allows. This year, as in years past and back by popular demand, we will include a session on fruit tree grafting. The techniques to be taught using apples can also be used for grafting other cultivars. The workshop will address the theory, general principles, proper tools, various techniques, and hands on demonstrations. The workshop will utilize a variety of teaching aids such as handouts, tools, multiple apple varieties, and teaching stations. Our hope is that each participant will get the opportunity to graft their own tree(s) to take home and plant.

Another part of this year’s workshop will include a presentation on rainbarreling and the need to utilize our water resources to the fullest extent. A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for lawn and garden watering. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through roof gutter downspouts and become storm water runoff. Participants may be given the opportunity to construct their own rainbarrel to take home for the cost of materials. Constructing a rainbarrel at the workshop avoids having to drill and cut at home where participants may not have the proper tools.

The Tennessee Yards & Neighborhoods (TYN) session of the workshop will further address water resource issues. It will be an introduction to a University of Tennessee program in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority that advises residents on how to maintain a beautiful, hardier landscape while conserving and protecting our water supply.

The MGRC have found that the information exchange at these workshops greatly enhances the learning as well as facilitating the hands-on approach to educating. Participants will be asked to dress according to the weather, as it is an outdoor activity. The workshop itself is free to the public, however donations to the Master Gardeners of Roane County will be accepted at the workshop as “Seed Money”. If participants construct their own rainbarrel to take home, they will be responsible for paying for the materials (~$40) which will be purchased and taken to the workshop site by the MGRC once registration is set. Available barrels for the project and workshop spaces are limited, so pre-registration is requested. For those interested in reserving a spot or if you have questions, please e-mail those to [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]



------ End of Forwarded Message
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Have you visited the Master Gardener Store? https://web.dii.utk.edu/agstore/c-49-master-gardener.aspx

Check out the super comfortable Gardener's Kneeling Pads!

To view the archives or join/leave TMG list: http://listserv.utk.edu/archives/tmg.html