Big Spring Master Gardener members Wolf Spendel, Michele Bradley, Ken Harrison, Mary Goldman, Jeanie Jackson, and Glenn Karuschkat assisted the UT Extension Office this spring in facilitating the Gardener's Toolshed Series held five consecutive nights during the month of March.  

They created and presented programs on Soil Testing Basics, Small Space Gardening, Garden Disease ID and Control, Culinary Herbs, Medicinal Herbs, and Growing Tomatoes. 

​During the last Big Spring Master Gardener Association held on Tuesday, February 8th at the UT Extension-Greene County Office, John Rochelle, TDA Regional Plant Inspector presented an educational topic on “Care and Concerns of Greenhouse Maintenance.”
 
Mr. Rochelle made the following points in regards to preparation of plant selection, grooming and proper care of conditions in the greenhouse to avoid insect and disease control:

• Importance of risk assessment of weed control, ventilation, temperature, soil pH, watering and establishment of log or journal of daily conditions.
• Water source was important and general plant health before planting.
• Do not overcrowd and be sure to watch the weather for increased heating of the day and proper inspection of plant response to general conditions.
• Most plant diseases can be avoided with careful and early diagnosis of diseases such as fungi, bacteria, and virus infiltration.
• Eliminating and decreasing the advent of insects is also crucial to good greenhouse management. 
• Remember to start with healthy plants and provide their basic needs of humidity, light, temperature control, air circulation and proper watering when needed.

 
The information stressed by Mr. Rochelle was greatly appreciated by the current Master Gardeners greenhouse project team.  The team is in charge of growing greenhouse plants to sell at the BSMGA “Annual Spring Plant Sale” on Mother's Day weekend, Saturday, May 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Greene County Fairgrounds.  
 
Plants listed for sale include many varieties of heirloom plants of perennials, annuals, tomatoes, vegetables and herbs. Some of the heirlooms are difficult to find and include exotic and interesting varieties such as the Ghost Pepper and Mortgage Lifter Tomato. There are also over 32 varieties of herbs listed as well. 
 
Team leaders for the Annual Spring Plant Sale are Mary Goldman and Phyllis Conner. Heather Youngblood is heading up the plant health and selection team. All members of the Big Spring Master Gardeners Association are volunteering to assist with daily involvement and duties pertaining to care and feeding of the young plants.  Excitement abounds with the selection of plants!  Everyone is encouraged to arrive early for the best selection.
 
Monies collected from the sale of the plants are assigned to all community projects sponsored by BSMGA; which include The Soup Kitchen Garden, Boys and Girls Club, New Hope Cemetery and Dickson Williams Mansion, to name a few.
 
Now, that spring is fast approaching, the "Ask a Master Gardener" hot-line is open for calls at the UT Extension-Greene County office, housed in the Greene County Courthouse Annex.  Master Gardeners staff the lab at the UT Extension Office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  If anyone has a question about their greenhouse, plants, or any other gardening issue, please contact the Big Spring Master Gardeners for information at the UT Extension, Greene County Office at 423-798-1710.
 
Remember the UT Extension Office has a huge sampling of public brochures and helpful booklets to assist any gardener with all aspects of animal, bee, farming practices, and plant selections for this area, as well as a lab to assist in diagnosis of plant disease or insects and soil sampling. For more information about becoming a Master Gardener, please contact Melody Rose at the UT Extension-Greene County office at 423-798-1710 or visit our Facebook page (Big Spring Master Gardeners Association) or www.bsmga.com website.