Delaware County
Master Gardener Association
Welcome!
Delaware County Master Gardeners are avid about horticulture and eager learners. This site is one way we share these passions and provide "environmentally sound, research-based gardening practices" with our communities.
Learning opportunities:
Recorded webinars on a wide range of gardening related topics...
Dig into a Book! Master Gardeners review their recent reading
Ask a Master Gardener Volunteer
Answering the public's questions about gardening using science-based information is an important objective of the Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program. Submit your landscape, yard, and garden questions here.
Karen Rissmeyer Selected as an Ohio Master Gardener of the Year
November 2024
DCMGA is very pleased to announce that Karen Rissmeyer has been named as one of only five Master Gardeners of the Year selected by OSUE!
Her name was submitted as a result of Karen's excellence in providing environmentally sound, research-based gardening practices to Delaware County school children.
Although she only interned In 2022, she has provided hours of education to children attending Dublin, Olentangy, and Delaware County schools, as well as a Brownie Troop, and at the Stratford Ecological Center. All told she has taught more than 28 sessions In 14 different classrooms.
Karen accepted the role of Youth Garden Resources and Education (YGRE) team leader in 2023 and has enlarged the program by involving more DCMGA members in the project and utilizing the knowledge, skills, and interests to develop more gardening subjects.
Immediately after earning MGV certification, Karen began volunteering at the Ohio Heritage Gardens (OHG), where she logged over 100 volunteer hours in 2023 alone. She was chose by Hope Taft to serve as a formal OHG Tour Guide during the 2024 growing season.
We all congratulate Karen on her well-earned accolade and are sincerely grateful that she is part of DCMGA!
Therapeutic Gardening Team
November 2024
We had such a great time with our friends at the Avalon of Lewis Center this month! Delaware County Master Gardener Marlene Suter shared with all of us her love for spring flowers. Marlene demonstrated for the residents how to plant bulbs in pots using the lasagna method. Our gardening friends said no to gloves and proceeded to dig into the soil with their bare hands!
The residents planted a mixture of Barcelona/Triumph, Princely Mix, Single Late Pastel, and Jimmy Mix Triumph Tulips, with Sunlight and Thalia daffodils and Grape Hyacinths. Pumpkin muffins and pumpkin spice meringues were enjoyed by all.
A total of 10 large pots will be stored in the greenhouse until next spring when we look forward to the grand display. The tulips represent the Love, Friendship and Joy we share with our friends. The Daffodils symbolize the rebirth and hope of Spring, and the grape hyacinths embody sincerity. We are sincerely grateful to the Avalon of Lewis Center for welcoming us each and every month and wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving!
Here are the steps for the lasagna method of planting tulips:
Place 3 to 4 inches of soil In eh bottom of a pot
Add daffodil and tulip bulbs with taller bulbs in the center
Add more soil until only the tips of the bulbs show
Place hyacinths around the outer rim of the pot
Add soil to 1" below the tip of the pot
Water well