garden | Muskingum County Agriculture and Natural Resources

Soil Testing Program

September 10, 2024 | Clifton Martin

Autumn is one of the better times to collect a soil sample and get it sent to the lab. The Extension Office is just one of many resources to help get this done. We have soil test kits ready at the office available for $12 which will covers your lab fee.

Stop by to pick up test kits between 8:00am and 12:30 pm or 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Resources to help include:

Soil Testing for Ohio Lawns, Landscapes, Fruit Crops, and Vegetable Gardens

Interpreting a Soil Test Report

Fertility Management of Meadows

Soil Testing for Ohio Lawns, Landscapes, Fruit Crops, and Vegetable Gardens

Soil Acidity and Liming for Agronomic Production

Corn, Soybean, and Alfalfa Yield Responses to Micronutrient Fertilization in Ohio

Master Gardener Volunteer Class Applications Due December 15

December 11, 2023December 8, 2023 | Clifton Martin

Zanesville, OH–OSU Extension Muskingum County will offer a Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class in 2024. The basic premise of the Master Gardener Volunteer program is to provide training in horticulture to interested volunteers in exchange for 50 hours of horticulture service back to the community. Training will begin on February 15, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:30 pm with conventional classroom instruction. Program cost is $125. Applications will be available online at muskingum.osu.edu/mgv or at the Muskingum County Extension Office, 225 Underwood St, Zanesville. Applications are due Dec 15.

New Master Gardener Volunteer Class Starts February 15

October 10, 2023 | Clifton Martin

You may download an application here.

Box Tree (Boxwood) Moth: a new pest of home landscapes.

July 13, 2023 | Clifton Martin

New headlines this month confirm the presence of Box Tree Moth in Ohio. This is a new pest for our region and one to be on the look out for if boxwoods feature in your landscape.

The latest details are here:

Box Tree (Boxwood) Moth: Latest Observations | BYGL (osu.edu)

What to Look for with Box Tree (Boxwood) Moth | BYGL (osu.edu)

Box Tree (Boxwood) Moth Confirmed in Southwest Ohio | BYGL (osu.edu)

Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Course

July 13, 2023 | Clifton Martin

OSU Extension Muskingum County and the Muskingum County Park District are pleased to announce an upcoming opportunity to become an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. The Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist (OCVN) program is an environmental and natural resources outreach and service program led by OSU Extension in collaboration with parks and arboretum. The mission is to promote awareness and stewardship of Ohio’s environment and natural resources through science- based education and community service. The OCVN education course helps participants gain practical knowledge of Ohio’s diverse ecology, environmental education and interpretation techniques, and the skills needed to participate in education and outreach, community science, program support, and stewardship activities.

Our program begins August 24 and the application is currently available.

Information about this course can be found at this link: Muskingum OCVN Course Webpage

More information about the program in the State of Ohio program is available here: https://ocvn.osu.edu/

Muskingum Youth Horticulture Education Project Application

February 21, 2023 | Clifton Martin

The Muskingum County Master Gardener Volunteer Program is offering a spring project for teachers or youth leaders with an interest in horticulture. This year (2023), teachers and youth leaders in Muskingum County may apply for a seed starting kit by completing the attached application. We expect that they will be used in conjunction with instruction about seed germination, pollination, and growing food as appropriate.

Twenty kits will be available. If more applications than that are received by the deadline of February 24, 2023, awards will be made in order of date submitted. Kits include labels, growing media, seeds, and three 24-cell self-watering seed starting tray systems. We hope these can aid in in providing an enjoyable experience for you in your classroom.

The application is available here: go.osu.edu/mgvedgrant.

The application is very similar to last year, with an added question about the need for supplemental lighting. We may have the opportunity to loan some light resources for some projects, but not all, so if you believe that would be helpful please indicate as appropriate in your application.

Applications due January 13 for Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class

January 9, 2023 | Clifton Martin

Zanesville, OH–Registration is currently open for anyone interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer in Muskingum County. OSU Extension Muskingum County will be conducting the training course which is offered in two formats: conventional classroom style or online web-based classroom. Participants may choose whichever format best fits their learning goals. The basic premise of the Master Gardener Volunteer program is to provide training in horticulture to interested volunteers in exchange for 50 hours of horticulture service back to the community. Training will begin on February 9, 2023, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm for conventional classroom instruction and on the same day for online classroom instruction. Program cost is $115. Applications are available online at muskingum.osu.edu/mgv or at the Muskingum County Extension Office, 225 Underwood St, Zanesville. For more information, contact Clifton Martin at martin.2422@osu.edu or 740-454-0144. The Master Gardener Volunteer program in Ohio has existed since the late 1970’s and has had a presence in Muskingum County since 1996.