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Beneficial Insects
Growing native plants in the home garden is one of the best ways to attract beneficial insects. Native plants can be added to existing garden beds or installed as meadows, buffer strips or even used in a more traditional garden design. As native plants become more popular they are easier to find in garden stores and are readily available through mail-order catalogs and the internet.
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Master Gardener Helpline
Seeking answers to your garden & landscape questions? Our Master Gardener Phone Helpline is a free service for residents and homeowners. You may call and leave a message anytime during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 5:00. Call (616) 994-4580 or 1 (888) MSUE-4MI (then key O-T-T-A-W) and ask for the Master Gardener office or email your question to msue70@msu.edu.
Soil Tests
Ottawa County MSU Extension offers soil tests through the Michigan State University Soil and Plant Nutrient Laboratory. The fee for one soil test is $13.00. Soil samples should be brought to our office at 12220 Fillmore Street Suite 122, West Olive, MI. We are located on the lower level of the Administration Building of the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex. Approximately two cups of soil are needed for the soil test. Soil should not be damp. A one quart zip-lock plastic bag works well for carrying the soil. Complete instructions on soil testing can be found in our Soil Testing Guide. Results of the tests are first sent to our office and are reviewed by the Master Gardener Coordinator before being sent to you. Results take approximately two to three weeks.
For information on more in-depth soil tests offered visit the website of the
Plant and Insect Diagnostics
Many questions involving plant health analysis, plant/weed identification, and insect infestation may be answered by our staff or Master Gardener volunteers at no charge. Call our office at (616) 994-4580 for more information on submitting a live sample for analysis.
If our staff is unable to offer a complete diagnostic analysis, a live sample may be sent to the Michigan State University Center for Integrated Plant Systems (CIPS) for a fee. This may be done through our office or directly with the lab. For more information on the services offered by CIPS, visit their website at www.pestid.msu.edu or call our office.
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Master Gardener Program
Ottawa County MSU Extension is now accepting applications for the 2010 Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) program. Program classes will be held each Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. beginning January 6, 2010 through March 31, 2010. All MGV classes are held at the Ottawa County Fillmore Complex, 12220 Fillmore, West Olive.
Participants in the popular program learn basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. Master Gardener Trainees in turn provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community providing home gardening information through a variety of venues and performing other gardening-related services throughout the area.
An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism, and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application to the program. To learn more about the program requirements click on the following link and read the information packet.
If you have further questions, contact Shane VanOosterhout, Master Gardener Coordinator at 616-994-4580 or email to vanoost4@msu.edu.
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Ottawa County MSUE Master Gardener Program Education Series
Presents
The Beauty of Roses
Join us for an educational evening of rose knowledge and care.
We will present two excellent DVDs.
Growing Good Roses. Presented by rosarian Rayford Clayton Reddell,this video provides superb visuals and expert practical adviceon cultivating modern roses, English, and old garden roses.
Secrets of the Rose Gardener, the Art of Rose Gardening, a film documenting the care of the rose garden at the historic Planting Fields Arboretum in Oyster Bay, New York. Educational and absolutely wonderful to watch as the volunteers take us through an entire growing season at the arboretum.
When: Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Ottawa Fillmore Administration Bldg., 12220 Fillmore, West Olive.
Room: Conference Room “E”
Cost: $6.00 per person
Telephone 616-994-4580
Open to everyone! Bring a friend!
Certified MGVs will receive 3.0 education credit hours toward their
2010 re-certification and advanced MGV status.
Please register in advance. Click on link below to register.
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The Grand Haven Education Garden is an Ottawa County MSU Extension Master Gardener initiative in cooperation with the City of Grand Haven. The site is provides hands-on volunteer and education opportunities for Master Gardeners and is open to the general public. The garden is located at the Grand Haven Municipal Airport at the intersection of Comstock Street and Arnie Redeker Drive.
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Master Gardener
The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension.
Many bulletins on gardening topics, some online.
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Seeking advice from a Master Gardener Volunteer? During the spring, summer and fall, many Ottawa County Master Gardener Volunteers will volunteer their at the Grand Haven Farmer's Market and the Holland Farmer's Market. Look for the green-and-white Master Gardener sign while at the market and ask to speak with a Master Gardener Volunteer and he or she will do their best to provide you with the information you need at no charge.
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Ottawa County has nearly 150 Active Master Gardeners in the MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Volunteers provide their expertise and knowledge to a wide variety of non-profit organizations throughout Ottawa County, including schools, education gardens, community gardens, parks, nature and ecology centers, museums and many other organizations who share our mission of educating people in the many areas of home horticulture.
Master Gardener Volunteers are all ages and share the passion for gardening projects large and small. If you think you have an appropriate project for Ottawa Master Gardener Volunteers please contact Shane VanOosterhout at the Extension office at 616-994-4580 or email vanoost4@msu.edu
If you enjoy gardening and like sharing your knowledge with others through volunteering, you might be a future Master Gardener! For more information on joining our program, please see the article at the top of the page, "Master Gardener Course"
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