Master gardner helpline

Does your spring garden have you stumped? Is a question about mulch or roses setting you back? The Alabama Master Gardeners are standing by ready to answer questions on the Master Gardener Helpline.

Call 1-877-ALA-GROW

The toll-free helpline connects callers with a knowledgeable team of Master Gardeners who can help answer questions. Armed with research and Alabama Cooperative Extension System publications, these volunteers will also contact specialists to find the answers you need to help your garden grow.

Kerry Smith, the Alabama Master Gardener program coordinator, said the program is used to expand the outreach mission of Extension. Volunteers from MG groups around the state work the phones answering questions—running the gamut from vegetable gardens to bulbs and trees.

“The helpline has been in existence since 2006, as a statewide effort,” Smith said. “We’ve had more than 50,000 calls to the helpline statewide, and if we were to estimate separate county efforts before 2006, this number would probably double.”

Alabama Cooperative Extension System offices regularly receive calls concerning home grounds. Master Gardeners also collaborate with county and regional Extension agents to answer inquiries accurately and in a timely manner.

Alabama Master Gardener Program

The MG program was created to increase the availability of home horticultural information through qualified volunteers, and to improve community life through community projects.

“The Master Gardener program is an example of partnership between the land-grant universities, Auburn University and Alabama A&M, and motivated volunteers interested in educating their communities,” Smith said.

MG volunteer programs have been implemented all over the United States and in four Canadian provinces. In order to become a certified Master Gardener, interns participate in a minimum of 50 hours of Extension training and 50 hours of initial volunteer service.

Every volunteer contributes to the success of the program. They offer the community reliable gardening information and educational opportunities. Volunteers help in the county office or they may provide an educational program for a civic group. Smith said roughly 1,800 volunteers reported service hours last year.

The Alabama MG Program is based on the idea of shared ownership. Extension staff and volunteers both share ideas, visions, dreams and responsibilities for the program. To that end, volunteers have the opportunity to work with other Extension programs, federal agencies, state agencies, county agencies and local schools and organizations. All Master Gardeners represent Extension as educational resources for their communities. Their overall mission is to improve the quality of life where they volunteer.

If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener please call the St. Clair County Extension Office at 205-338-9416 for more information and to receive an application. They may also be downloaded from our website, http://mg.aces.edu/how-to-become-a-master-gardener/. A Master Gardener Course will begin August 29th here in St. Clair County. (The Master Gardener Course is only offered every other year in St. Clair County)

Master Gardener Helpline

Home garden questions? Please call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1-877-252-4769. There is a Master Gardener waiting to answer your call.

For more information about what all is available through your St. Clair County Extension office, please stop by our office which is located on the lower level of the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City or call us at 205-338-9416. You may also visit our website at www.aces.edu/StClair or one of the Extension Kiosks located at the Moody and Springville Libraries or the St. Clair County Courthouse in Pell City. 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities), is an equal opportunity employer and educator.  Everyone is welcome!