The Colorado Master Gardener Program: Planting Gardens, Growing People


The Colorado Master Gardener Program
in Gilpin County


In Gilpin County, the Colorado Master Gardener Program is small under ten active volunteers who help county residents find success with gardening activities in this high altitude community.

Gilpin County Demonstration GardenCommunity Outreach


  • Gardening Classes - We have a series of mountain gardening classes in the spring  (topics include mountain gardening basics, critters in the garden, native plants, no-water gardening, flowers for the mountains, trees and shrubs for the mountains, and more).

  • Demonstration Garden - We maintain demonstration gardens, including a Plant Select garden, a bird and butterfly garden, a “High and Dry” garden, and a no-water vegetable garden.

Weed Management Education
  • Weed Management Education - We hold a weed ID and education class, often accompanied by a weed trade-in program of some sort. We host a weed booth at our county fair (over 300 people stop by each year).

  • Community Gardening - We work with community groups on gardening projects.

  • Mountain Gardening Web Site - We maintain a mountain gardening web site to help all mountain gardeners.

  • Plant Sale - We have an annual plant sale which focuses in on low-water mountain-hardy plants.

  • Garden tours and wildflower walks


Gilpin County Plant SaleEducation for CMG Volunteers


  • In January through March, Basic Training for CMG volunteers is provided in a multi-county partnership with Jefferson, Denver and Broomfield Counties. Classes are held in Golden and Denver.

  • Gilpin County Extension offers CMG volunteers a variety of continuing education opportunities
  • Gardening classes held in Gilpin County.
  • Multi-county and regional educational opportunities include CMG Plus Classes, ProGreen, CSU Short Course and CSU Field Days.
  • Field trips to the Betty Ford Alpine Garden or other mountain gardens.

Summary


  • CMG volunteers: 10
  • Annual volunteer hours: 250
  • Annual value of volunteer time: $5,400

Contact Us

CSU Extension, Gilpin County Office
     230 Norton Drive
     Black Hawk, CO 80422
     Phone: 303-582-9106
     Fax: 303-582-5062

     Staff: Irene Shonle, PhD, Director/Agent