Contributed photo
At a recent meeting the following Master Gardeners were recognized for their service: Front row: Lauren and Dawn Sparrow (completed MG Core Course). Back row: Mary Lewis (completed MG Core Course); Linda Perrine (40 years of service);
Toni Grabinger (completed MG Core Course); Catharine Weisenburger (10 years of service); Alice Wenzel (20 years of service). Not pictured: Renee Zok (25 years of service) and Cindy Hendrickson (20 years of service).

Master Gardeners in Becker County have been making a difference for over 40 years. There are 26 local people who are qualified as Becker County Master Gardeners after taking a required course at the University of Minnesota.

During the growing season Master Gardeners offer free Plant, Pest, and Gardening Clinics every Wednesday (May-September) from 9 am to noon in the Becker County Extension Office which is located at 1120 8th St. SE Detroit Lakes. 

The first clinic this year will be held on Wednesday, May 1. 

At these clinics the Master Gardeners are available to answer questions about trees, shrubs, insects, home gardens and lawns. They provide helpful solutions and ideas to help answer your questions. If they are unable to answer a questions, the Master Gardeners are only a phone call away from the University of Minnesota horticulturalists for additional help.

The Master Gardeners partner with the City of Detroit Lakes in providing 25 community garden plots. They also participate in recording sessions for TV 3’s weekly series called “Master Gardeners Rambling Rose.” They also donate time to Becker County working on community projects, teaching educational programs, host a walk-by educational display at the Becker County Fair and answering questions they receive.

Another event they sponsor is the annual plant sale scheduled this year for Saturday, May 25, starting at 8-11 a.m., at the Detroit Lakes City Park on South Washington Avenue.

The Master Gardener program is sponsored by the Extension Service of the University of Minnesota.

For more information on the projects and events mentioned call Linda Perrine, Becker County Extension Office Manager and Master Gardener Program Coordinator at (218) 846-7328.