- Author: Betsy Buxton
I'm sitting here watching the rain (okay so it's only a light drizzle, but I'll take it!) through the front window and trying to decide what to write about. Should it be the weather – now is the time to turn off sprinklers; it's getting toward winter now do this and that to prepare; how to do some garden chore or other. I can't make up my mind.
Thoughts trickle around about field trips the Master Gardeners have taken this year: Bancroft Gardens in Concord, to Filoli in Woodside, and to the latest trip: San Francisco to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park! Lovely trips with docents leading the way answering questions of how, what, and where the viewed plants came from originally and how the work of these public places gets done. Much thanks to the intrepid Dottie who made all the arrangements, figured out the carpool stops, and just had to figure out all the angles of getting folks from here and there. Bravo to you, Dottie, Bravo!
My next thought is about the various Farmers' Markets in our county and how many Master Gardeners have faithfully given their time and energy to answering questions, identifying whole plants, leaves, and twigs for concerned folks who waited patiently for a turn at “Stump the MG”. On top of the local folks with questions, try to factor in those from other states and other California counties with comments and questions.
A big Thanks to all who joined our merry bands to spread the word about IPM, community garden plots in Vacaville, Benicia, and Vallejo not to mention parts of Napa and the greater Sacramento area, Alameda and other locales that were asked about. Those of you who haven't tried your hand at one of these Markets would be surprised at the breadth of questions as well as the depth of the subject matter that we've responded to during our Saturday mornings or Thursday evenings. I'm not sure of the numbers reported elsewhere, but in Vallejo the average number of contacts made is 58. Not bad for 2 or 3 people sitting there with no produce in front of us or free samples to snack on!
I hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and that if you DID go shopping, you got what you went for! A last minute plug for the Vallejo Farmers' Market: It is the only Farmers' Market that goes year around so we hope to see you there on Saturdays 9-2 (unless it rains!).