We're preparing posts for publication beginning next week, and are basing many of our topics on emails we've received from ZRecs readers asking for specific gardening help. If you have questions or topics you'd like to see addressed in Gardenaut posts this gardening season, post them in the comments below and we'll work them into our coverage!

What would you like to see from our garden-blogging team? What big plans do you have for your garden this year, and how can we help you achieve them?

If you think money grows on trees, you may be right. Or at least, maybe you can get grant money to grow trees!

Several sponsors and gardening associations offer grants throughout the year, typically for schools or non-profit community groups that have a vision for a gardening project but just need a little head-start in the way of funding. Here is a list of a few, along with application deadline information. This should help you and your group get started thinking about a community improvement or education project that will let you all play in the dirt...for free.

Fiskars Project Orange Thumb
Twenty groups will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskar tools and up to $800 in green gardening materials. The mission is to encourage creative expression in gardening. All kinds of community groups, schools, and church groups are eligible.
Application: Available now online. All materials due February 17, 2009.

Wild Ones Seeds for Education Grants
K-12 schools or parent groups associated with schools can receive up to $5,000 toward projects with a permanent impact such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor) as well as landscaping/clean up type projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. Examples projects include reading gardens, vegetable gardens and nature trails.
Application: Lowe’s will accept up to 1,500 applications for consideration. Application period ends when either 1,500 applications are received, or February 13, 2009, whichever is earlier.

Wild Ones Seeds for Education Grants
Schools, nature centers, churches, and non-profit education centers are eligible for $100-500 grants to encourage natural landscaping with native plants.
Application: Due November 15 each year, awarded in February.

The following grants are available through the National Gardening Association:

Bayer Advanced Grow Together with Roses School Garden Awards will provide rose bushes and educational materials to 25 schools to establish rose gardens designed to nurture peaceful relations and instill a strong sense of community.
Application: Due January 23, 2009

Mantis Awards
25 programs will each receive a Mantis Tiller/Cultivator (a $349 value, although they're currently on sale on Amazon.com for $250) with border/edger and kickstand, and their choice of gas-powered or electric motor. The grant is open to any non-profit group with a gardening program that enhances the quality of life in the community. Past recipients have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others.
Application: Due March 1, 2009.

Hooked on Hydroponics Awards include hydroponic garden systems, lighting, and reference materials for elementary, middle and high schools.
Application: Available in February, due in fall 2009.

Healthy Sprouts Awards are given to organizations that create youth garden programs that focus on nutrition and hunger issues.
Application: Available in February, due in fall 2009

I’m surrounded by Master Gardeners. Next door, across the street, around the corner. I don’t have a lot of gardening experience, so it’s a little bit daunting trying to experiment and learn within sight of such experts.

“Wasn’t there a disclosure clause in the paperwork when you bought the place?” a friend asked. “Something like ‘This house is free of toxic chemicals, but is surrounded by Master Gardeners'?”

Since we have young children, there’s precious little time for gardening, and I often find myself in the middle of some project or another when kid duty calls me abruptly away. The next day I’ll find the trowel and a bag of dirt neglected in the front yard. Or small plants might wait weeks for me to pot them.

I imagine myself the bane of the neighborhood, especially during garden tour season. You see, with all these Master Gardeners, their yards are definitely worth being seen (by the entire city it seems). It always happens when I have a stack of old sod or lumber in the front yard and a weekend full of other activities to pursue. “Just put up a sign that says ‘You should see us next year’!” joked another friend.

The title “Master Gardener” invokes such a sense of authority and wisdom that it’s easy to constantly feel ignorant, or even apologetic, about my meager efforts. After spending more time with my neighbors, though, I’ve realized that they all began in the same place, and they still profess not to know everything. They call each other for advice, help each other put in flower beds, find resources for more garden rock and wild flowers, and encourage people like me to start small with a vision for bigger and better.

After learning more about the Master Gardening program, I realize that it’s more about education than a vanity title; more about community work than resting on laurels. Interested gardeners can take an intensive course in all aspects of horticulture to earn a Master Gardener certificate through the Cooperative Extension. Then they must volunteer in the community (40 hours a year in Alaska), answering questions from home gardeners, giving lectures, helping with gardening events.

So if you find yourself being approached by a Master Gardener who has a bit of advice or a vision for your yard, you can take it less as a comment about your own skills, and more as a function of their mandate – sharing their knowledge, and getting to that magic 40-hour mark!

A couple of resources if you're interested in becoming or getting in touch with Master Gardeners:

• The American Horticulture Society has this map with links to Master Gardener programs through the U.S.


• "So you want to be a Master Gardener?": Myths and truths of the Master Gardener program.