Horticulture class tours notable gardens in area

The Jackson Post Office and Marie's Garden at the Oliver House Museum in Jackson were stops on a recent garden tour coordinated by Master Gardeners Fran Haupt and Judi Niederkorn.

Denise Pingel, horticulture greenhouse manager, said 29 students from the introduction to horticulture class at Southeast Missouri State University attended the Jackson tour.

"Every week is a different trip. We've toured Diebold Farms and the Scholarship Garden. It worked out well that Marie's Garden at the Oliver House featured heirloom plants, and the Jackson Post Office had grown native plants -- both part of our studies," Pingel said.

The event, held for the first time, represents the expansion of a partnership between Southeast's department of agriculture and Cape County Master Gardeners.

The department of agriculture grows bedding plants for Cape County Master Gardener's annual plant sale and provides assistance at the sale.

"Some of the Oliver House plants were germinated and cultivated at the university greenhouse, and I think that added interest for the students," Niederkorn said.

"We would love to do the tour again for interested groups," Niederkorn said. "A lot of the points the students brought up in their questions will be added to my presentation. They were a helpful and knowledgeable group."

For group tours, call Niederkorn at 651-8989.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133