Barbara Low

Sharing Gardening Information

As I was sitting in my husband’s hospital room reading a book, his nurse came in and asked what kind of book I was reading. I told him that I was reading a murder mystery. He asked if I read any other genres. I said that I usually read historical fiction – mainly World War II, and gardening books also. He was surprised to find someone else who liked to read books on gardening. Over the next couple of days, we talked about what gardening books we would recommend, what plants we liked to grow in our garden, what challenges we had with gardening, and why we liked to garden. It turns out that we are both passionate about gardening – but with different viewpoints.

We were strangers before we started talking about gardening, but gardening gave us some common ground outside of what was going on in the hospital room. By taking the time to talk and listen to each other, we learned many things about gardening from a different perspective. Sometimes all it takes is to be willing to talk and listen to others.

He recommended that I read the book “The One-Straw Revolution” by Masanobu Fukuoka. I have never heard of this book. I checked it out and the reviews were fairly positive. Since he was so passionate about this book, I decided to read it after I finish my current book. Maybe I will learn some new gardening information or find affirmation for what I already have learned.  Either way I will learn another perspective.

As Master Gardeners, we have several opportunities to learn more about gardening, including all the variety of components which are involved. Some of these learning opportunities include:

• OSU Community Education Classes – organized by Grace Florjancic
• OSU Level Up Series – https://extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/growing-oregon-gardeners-level-series-2025 (There are previous years classes available also)
• OMGA Joy of Gardening Conference – July 11-12 in Corvallis https://omga.org/joy-of-gardening-2025/
• JCMGA Winter Dreams Summer Gardens 2025 (October 17, 18, 24, and 25)
• Jackson County Library Gardening Education Classes – which are offered at different times during the year

When we learn gardening information, it is important to share what we have learned and be willing to learn from others. Here are some ways to share information:

• When working in the JCMGA Demonstration Gardens, talking about the garden you are working in and also about your own individual garden.
• Write a short article about a gardening book that you would like to recommend to others.
• Write about a gardening tip which you have found helpful in your own garden.

Enjoy your garden and share what you learn!

We are looking for new, and experienced, members of Master Gardeners to serve on our Jackson County Master Gardener Board of Directors for 2026.  Could that be YOU, or someone you can recommend?

Please consider becoming a member of the board – the governing body of the association. The board adopts the budget, sets policy, and generally oversees the present and future direction of JCMGA.  Meetings are held the second Friday of each month.  Most board members also sit on one or more of the association’s working groups.  Your input is important, and fresh perspectives on how we move forward are the key to our success.

The following positions are to be elected this fall:

• Vice-President/President-Elect
• Membership Secretary
• Treasurer
• Assistant Treasurer
• Recording Secretary
• Archivist
• Oregon Master Gardener Association Representative
• Five Members-at-Large

Contact Linda Millus, President-Elect, at lmillus@outlook.com  if you want to nominate yourself or someone else.

Please submit any nominations by September 1^st.