Things you should know about MGGKC

Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City can help you learn to grow!

Helping you learn to grow is more than a slogan for The Extension Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City, it is our mission. This program is here to help new and experienced gardeners with research-based information on a variety of horticultural topics. Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) receive extensive training by horticultural specialists. Every year, EMGs must be recertified, and take continuing education classes to ensure they stay up to date with the latest research-based horticultural information. We are called Extension Master Gardeners because we are a program of the University of Missouri Extension. Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City (MGGKC) is a program chapter located in the Urban West Region for MU Extension. We serve our communities in Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties. For more information, please visit https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/urban-west-region.

MGGKC offers our services to help gardeners find the research-based Information they need. Learn more about our chapter on our website, https://mggkc.org or by following our Facebook page at Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. Here are some of the ways we can help you learn to grow.

Did you know we have a Gardening Hotline to answer your gardening questions? EMG volunteers can take your questions at https://mggkc.hotline@gmail.com or our 24-hour voicemail line at 816-833-TREE (8733.) Do not be surprised if a volunteer requests more information or photos of the plant or garden pest in question. We do this to provide the best research-based answers and recommendations possible. Volunteers enjoy working on the MGGKC Gardening Hotline because they learn to grow too as they research and answer questions.

Have you visited one of our community project gardens? EMGs work in demonstration and partnership gardens throughout Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties. Feel free to take a tour, ask an EMG your gardening questions, or help us in the garden. We love to talk about plants, share our research-based information, and help our communities learn to grow. For a full list and description of our garden projects please visit our website at https://mggkc.org/our-projects/community-projects/.

Do you like watching videos about gardening? Our chapter has a YouTube series called Tuesday Tips. These videos cover topics from winterizing garden tools to container gardening. There is also a series called Kids Ask Dr. Bug, where children can learn about insects in the garden. These videos can be found listed here at https://www.mggkc.org/public-education/advanced-education/how-to-videos/.

Extension Master Gardeners can help you learn to grow through a variety of public outreach activities. We are out in the community offering hands-on clinics and classes. Last year, Blooming Blue Springs, an MGGKC group, hosted a hands-on clinic on building a raised garden bed, as well as three other classes. Activities like these are posted on our MGGKC Facebook page, MGGKC website, and community calendars. You can find our education table, and children’s programs at community events like farmer’s markets, fairs, and festivals. We also have a Speakers Bureau that is available to speak to garden clubs, plant societies, adult education programs, and community groups. For more information on Speaker Bureau topics visit https://www.mggkc.org/public-education/speakers-bureau/.

We are looking forward to a successful year of helping you learn to grow. We have an exciting kick-off event for 2024. Join us on February 15 for our MGGKC Gardeners Gathering. Mandy Tizon, a plant inspector from the Missouri Department of Agriculture will be presenting “Safeguarding Greenery: Insights from a State Plant Inspector.” In this presentation, you will learn how to identify plant diseases and pests lurking in nursery stock. Get insider tips on how to pick healthy nursery plants and keep your garden safe from unwanted trouble. All area gardeners are invited free of charge.  Please let us know you will be attending by registering at https://extension.missouri.edu/events/safeguarding-greenery-insights-from-a-state-plant-inspector.

We at MGGKC would love to meet you at our community projects, outreach events, through our website/social media, or The Gardeners Gathering. It is our pleasure to share our research-based gardening information and help you learn to grow. Also keep in mind, MGGKC is always looking for gardeners to join our program. If you are interested in helping others learn to grow, find more information at https://www.mggkc.org/about-us/become-a-master-gardener/. Hope to see you often in the coming year!