Franklin County, OH Master Gardener Volunteers

Growing vegetables in containers offers many advantages to gardeners particularly those with limited ground space. Container vegetables can be grown on balconies, patios even front door steps. Here are some resources to help you get started! 1) The Old Farmer's Almanac Container Gardener's Handbook: Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers--Simple Success for Every Space and All Levels by The Old Farmer's Almanac 2) Container Gardening Complete--Creative Projects for Growing Vegetables and Flowers in Small Spaces by Jessica Walliser.

Did you know that trees play an important role in attracting pollinators?
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Let's face it--nothing says summer quite like annual flowers. Here's some great tips to help brighten your summer garden.

May is a great time to plant annuals, those garden marvels that will create all-season color, if only for one growing season. Since examples of annuals are too numerous to list, check out this OSU Extension fact sheet: HLA-6425.https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/print-publications/hla/annual-flowers-for-specific-uses-in-oklahoma-hla-6425.pdf

Although it's hard not to love Bambi, most of us don't want our flower gardens to be an evening buffet for Bambi and friends. While no plant is 100% deer proof many beautiful plants are deer resistant. Here's a helpful lists of deer resistant plants: extension.rutgers.edu/deer-resistant-plants

Too cute not to share!

Yellow Flag irises are among the most beautiful spring flowers. Unfortunately in 2025 they were added to the Ohio's invasive plants list. Invasive species may look harmless, but they can spread quickly, outcompeting native plants and animals and changing entire ecosystems. For more information about Ohio's invasive plants go to oipc.com

Here's some fun facts about one of the most highly anticipated migratory birds.

22 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Hummingbirds Discover fun and fascinating hummingbird facts about these tiny fliers.

....Unlike the Jumping Beans that baby boomers loved to play with as children, Asian Jumping Worms are the enemy of your garden. Here's some tips on how to protect your garden from these pests.
https://www.facebook.com/mastergardenersfrederickcountymaryland/posts/pfbid02wf2GDBAio2BpZyMRYKYG7L3VzZw3nVLYukNd1yPdkXXgRULEC8D5MY6h7c7SAomhl

Beware the Asian jumping and crazy snake worms (Amynthas spp.)! These invaders can be transported to your garden in mulch, bagged soil, or potted plants. Populations grow rapidly, and a single worm may be responsible for as many as 14,000 new worms per season. Because of their numbers and large size, the worms quickly break down leaf litter and organic matter in the soil. Seeds have a difficult time germinating. Existing plants may be damaged from the worms feeding on the roots. When the worms reach a forested area, they can destroy the forest floor. Understory seedlings and wildflowers disappear. Erosion increases. Animals such as ground nesting birds, insects and amphibians are
deprived of habitat. The degraded habitat makes it easier for invasive plants to get established.
What can you do? Buy properly composted mulch from a reputable source. Examine potted plants before planting. Do not move soil or plants to other locations, especially to natural areas.
https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/2020/09/15/asian-jumping-worms-featured-video/
http://mdinvasives.org/iotm/nov-2019/
https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets.cce.cornell.edu/attachments/26324/Species_Spotlight_Snakeworm_508_092017.pdf?1508346313

Congratulations to the 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Class. They've completed their classroom experience and are starting their internships. Class of 2026 we're so happy to have you on our team!