Another resource for new gardeners, the USDA extension service

“I lived in the UK for many years and it was there that I first developed an interest in gardening. In the UK it really is the national pastime and I felt like I had no choice other than to get involved. Prior to this (in the US) I watched my grandfather and my mother tend vegetable gardens and my grandmother planted a few pansies now and then. My own experience was planting a sunflower and a marigold in kindergarten, but that was it! Neither were stellar experiences and to this day I really hate the smell of marigolds. (I know they are great for organic gardening, but still). 

In the UK you are surrounded by gardening information on the TV, radio, newspaper, neighbors, people chatting on the bus, heck it seems like even the dogs could tell you a thing or two, and no 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 area of ground was safe. I answered the call and had some flower pots, then a perennial bed (once I was advised what that was) then finally a vegetable garden, which to my surprise was a success (very rich soil). I learned to battle slugs and rot etc. etc. etc.  

I had a friend who ran a small landscaping business and he taught me how to prune, starting with a lavender hedge at a stately home. I was terrified!! I really thought I would kill the plants!! I learned a great deal with my friend about British gardening and landscape design. It sparked an interest and I just loved it.

THEN……I moved back to the US.

I had some land! It was only a 1/3 of an acre but after living in the UK it felt like I had hit the lottery!! I had a flat plot with sandy loam you could actually grow stuff on. It had previously been farmed strawberry fields. However, where was my crew, where were all the other gardeners with great ideas and their own gardens etc etc??? Ummmmm..the area I was in was coastal and rather affluent (i.e, you tell the landscaper what to do and it’s all about the non-native Kentucky Bluegrass lawn!!). I felt at a loss.

I had the opportunity to take a class in Plant and Soil science and it was there I found out about the USDA Extension services. There is help in every state in the US!! In Massachusetts the University of Massachusetts: Amherst runs the Cooperative Extension services in the state. I can go to my local office and website. They do soil and plant testing, you can bring in a bug or a diseased leaf or whatever you have questions about and get advice! They have a website with tons of information regarding anticipated and active pests, ideas of watering, what grows well in my area, what weeds to look out for etc etc. The USDA Extension Service and the local Cooperatives are an amazing source of information and you will get the information that is local to your conditions wherever you happen to be in the country. USDA.gov which gives a list statewide of your Extension Service and from that you can find information for your local area. They were an incredibly helpful resource and I’m so glad they were there to help me through the weeds, so to speak, of gardening!

Knowledge is power.”


I wanted to say thank you to Yvonne for sending in her story! The Extension service she mentioned is a huge resource for gardeners in the United States, and I recommend looking into the service and how it might be able to assist you. The USDA also has a site dedicated to the Extension where they offer information and virtual events that you can participate in. This directory also shows all the universities that are partnered with the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. These universities are on-site cooperatives where you can get information and education in person like Yvonne did. I hope this is a useful resource for you, especially if you are just getting started with gardening!