Welcome to the Laclede County Master Gardeners! We are a dedicated group of gardening enthusiasts committed to promoting and sharing horticultural knowledge and practices in our community. This follows along with the mission of Missouri Master Gardeners “helping others to learn to grow.”

What we do

Monthly meetings

Master Gardeners attend monthly meetings the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Missouri Extension Office in Lebanon where we delve into a variety of topics, including:

• Gardening techniques: Learn the best practices for growing your garden.
• Lawn care: Discover tips for maintaining a lush, healthy lawn.
• Soil care: Understand the importance of soil health and how to improve it.
• Beneficial insects: Explore the vital role these insects play in your garden ecosystem.
• Sharing our interests: We enjoy the fellowship, along with sharing successful ways to improve our gardens while keeping the importance of our pollinators in mind.
• Guest speakers: Throughout the year, we invite knowledgeable guest speakers to share their expertise on a variety of gardening topics.
• Current projects: review the current and new projects and upcoming events.

Beautification

Gardens in the Lebanon community that our chapter has developed and keep maintained include:

• Route 66 Garden and the Joy Cabin Garden both located at Boswell Park
• Scatter Garden located at the Lebanon City Cemetery
• Missouri Native Garden in progress located at the Lebanon-Laclede County Library.

We have scheduled workdays to keep the gardens maintained throughout the year. See our facebook link below for additional pictures.

Services

• Laclede County Fair: We sponsor the horticulture division of the Home Exhibits by setting up, taking in horticulture entries, assisting the judges and taking down afterwards. We also fund the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for the Best of Show.
• We promote our chapter and offer in person answers to garden enthusiasts twice a year during:
  • Senior Day at the Fair
  • Lowes Garden Center, mid spring on Saturdays

Become a Master Gardener

Ready to join us? Becoming a Master Gardener involves:

1. Completing classes:
   Participate in the Missouri Master Gardener comprehensive training program to learn essential gardening skills. We offer in-person classes at the Laclede County Extension office usually in the spring or fall or you can take courses online through the Extension Master Gardener program. There is a fee to cover the cost of the horticulture specialists and your garden core manual. Check back on this page, visit our Facebook page or call the extension office at 417-532-7126 for class information.
2. Completing your volunteer hours:
   1. Once you have completed the classes, you will be a Master Gardener trainee your first year. During the first year, you will get many opportunities to get experience in our gardens and projects, and monthly meetings, all of which count toward your required 30 volunteer hours (including your travel time to and from Master Gardener activities).
   2. After completing the first trainee year, you become a Certified Master Gardener. To be an active member in good standing, you complete 20 volunteer hours along with 6 continuing education hours annually.
3. Networking:
   Joining our Laclede County Master Gardener Chapter is a fantastic way to meet fellow gardening enthusiasts who share your passion. Connect with others, exchange tips and ideas, and foster friendships that grow alongside your gardens.

Join us in our mission to enhance gardening practices in Laclede County! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there's a place for you in our community.

Continuing your journey

After you’ve become a Certified Master Gardener and have earned that impressive title, the learning doesn't stop there! We continue to learn and keep finding more ways to master the gardening methods and effective ways to get our plants and trees to thrive.

For more information, contact us today!

Visit Laclede Master Gardeners Facebook page