EXTENSION SERVICE HELPS AREA GARDENERS

JACKSON -- When plants thrive for one person but wilt for another, everyone attributes the failure to the green-thumb theory -- people have it or they don't.

Maybe so, but a University Extension program in Jackson might even the odds. The Master Gardener program is for people who have a little gardening or other horticultural experience and want more.

It's the second year for the Jackson program, which attracts people from all walks of life. Some enjoy planting a few tomatoes around the house while others make a living landscaping yards.

Even celebrities like Joe Sherinski, also known as Mr. GoodGarden, and business people like Debbie Naeter, also known as The Plant Lady, went through the course last year.

Students received 33 hours of instruction by experts from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Lincoln University, Southeast Missouri State University and other places. In return, students had to spend 30 hours helping others learn more about gardening.

They spent the time working with speaking to civic groups, planting demonstration gardens or working with youth programs.

There are 17 students this year from Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Scott and Ste. Genevieve counties, according to Extension agronomy specialist Gerald Bryan. Their course of study includes lessons on fertilizing, disease control, weed control and fruit production, among other topics.

"Gardeners helping gardeners is a great idea," Bryan said.

It's too late to sign up in Jackson this year, but various University Extension centers offer the Master Gardener program in the spring and fall. There will be one at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff next spring.

Bryan said next fall's classes may be taught by interactive video so instructors won't have to travel from Columbia or St. Louis.