Plan now for a red, white and blue garden

Kansas

In 2005, respect for military families and a sense of patriotism prompted Sedgwick County Master Gardeners to plant and tend a small red, white and blue garden at the Kansas State University Research and Extension Office demonstration gardens. The office and gardens are located at 7001 W. 21st North in Wichita.

Gardeners chose red and white petunias, blue ageratum and red Knock Out roses to carry out the patriotic theme, said Virginia Sanders, Master Gardener and demonstration garden volunteer coordinator.

"This is a colorful garden that also is fairly easy to grow," she said. "We chose plants that typically grow well in Kansas, but that also are forgiving. If children helping in the garden misstep, the plants will likely recover."

During summer months, gardeners added American flags to accent plantings, and visitors to the garden began adding something of their own... donations of reading materials, puzzle books, games and personal care products for military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Bob Neier, K-State Research and Extension horticulture agent in Sedgwick County, worked with a local church in contact with McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita to arrange transportation so the donations would reach the troops, Sanders said.

K-State Research and Extension's demonstration gardens typically highlight flowers, vegetables and herbs that grow well in Kansas and a variety of gardening techniques including raised beds, container gardens and special-purpose gardens, such as gardens planted to culinary herbs or plants that attract butterflies.

This year, volunteer Master Gardeners are planning an expanded red, white and blue garden to offer still more ideas, Sanders said.

The demonstration gardens are free and open to the public during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, and during special events such as Tomato Day, July 22, from 7 a.m. until noon. More information is available at the Sedgwick County K-State Research and Extension office by calling 316-722-7721.

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What is a master gardener?

Kansas

Virginia Sanders, Sedgwick County Master Gardener volunteer who provided leadership for the red, white and blue garden in Sedgwick County is a wife, a mother of five, and a community volunteer.

With a longtime interest in gardening but little time, Sanders, who recently retired from a career coordinating bedside patient testing at Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, enrolled in the Kansas State University Research and Extension Master Gardener program.

Master Gardeners typically enroll in 40 to 50 hours of educational sessions supplemented with hands-on learning experiences. As part of the program, Master Gardeners are asked to give time that is equal to the educational opportunities they receive, back to their community. In 2004, Kansas Master Gardeners contributed more than 67,824 volunteer hours, with the volunteers typically providing 75 hours each. The value of their services is estimated at more than one million dollars.

Sanders said that she learned about the program from a friend who is active in it.

DeAun Johnson said she has developed friendships through the program.

While walking one day, Johnson paused to admire a colorful, well-tended garden. She introduced herself to the woman tending the garden, who turned out to be Jan Longhofer, a Sedgwick County Master Gardener.

With Longhofer's encouragement, Johnson enrolled in the Master Gardener program.

"I'm learning so much," said Johnson, who considers Longhofer her friend and mentor.

"Gardeners are usually pretty nice people. We like to share and usually are happy to talk about our plants," said Longhofer, who has been a Master Gardener for about 15 years.

Longhofer is still learning herself. On a recent trip to the Philadelphia area, she explored still more plants for her garden at the Philadelphia Flower Show, Longwood Gardens and Mt. Cuba Research Center, which focuses on introducing new plants into gardens. The Sedgwick County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners program is coordinated by Michele Brown, horticulture program assistant.

More information about the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener Program is available at most county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on the Master Gardener website. Go to www.oznet.ksu.edu and click on Horticulture, Forestry and Natural Resources, choose Programs, then Master Gardeners.

In Kansas, a Junior Master Gardener program, affiliated with Kansas 4-H, also is available. More information about the Junior Master Gardener program is at www.kansas4h.org/JMG/.

Date: 5/25/06

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