LIVING HERE
Spring is just around the corner.
The first day of spring is on Sunday, March 20th, and almost everyone is anxiously waiting to get back outside, to enjoy warmer weather, a lack of snow and ice, as well as to plant and play in gardens of one kind or another. For many, time spent in the garden is relaxing and peaceful. For others, it’s a world they might have never ventured into without the occurrence of this virus and aren’t really sure where to start once they go out there.
Sometimes it’s difficult for such people to ask for help, or they may not know where to go for assistance if they do. For those looking for guidance, suggestions, or tips, there are local gardening clubs around local communities that are here to help. Founded in 2001, the Walworth County Master Gardener Volunteer Association (WCMGVA) encourages, fosters, supports, promotes, and provides horticultural education throughout Walworth County. Members meet regularly and attend educational events along with going on tours and field trips. Being a master gardener can involve anyone who is interested in gardening and can fulfill the training and volunteer hours required within their first year to become certified. In order to maintain certification, such a master gardener must complete annual continuing education and serve volunteer hours.
Anyone interested in more information can send an email to wcmgva2@gmail.com and get some real professional advice and help. The Fontana Garden Club is a local organization of gardeners wherein its members love plants and flowers. It offers online tutorials, field trips, events, and much more. The club can easily be reached by going to http://www.facebook.com/FontanaGardenClub. The Aram Public Library in Delavan offers a seed library which is s self-serve, self-sustaining seed exchange program.
The program is much like ‘borrowing’ a book from the library, in the sense that community members can ‘borrow’ seed packets of different flowers, herb, and vegetable varieties for at-home planting. It’s free and easy to get involved with. Just go in and simply take seeds home, plant and watch them grow, and then, at the end of the growing season return some seeds to the library for next year’s stock. The library is there to offer help and support from beginning gardeners to expert gardeners and hopes to watch them learn, grow, harvest, and save seeds through programming and library resources.
