The Germantown Hills Middle School garden was started eight years ago by Master Gardeners Linda Simpson and Cathy Bandeko to be used as an outdoor learning space for students third through eighth grades. (Photo courtesy University of Illinois Extension)

Germantown Hills Middle School garden, now known as the Simpson Bandeko Courtyard Learning and Memory Garden, has been a long-standing effort put forth by the Woodford County Master Gardener program.

“This garden continues to be the picture perfect school garden,” says University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator Kelly Allsup.

The garden was started eight years ago by Master Gardeners Linda Simpson and Cathy Bandeko to be used as an outdoor learning space for students third through eighth grades. Woodford County master gardeners teach the youth how to plant and harvest vegetables, plant seeds and grow flowers.

The garden boasts a gazebo, seating area, pond with fish and a bird garden. The school uses the garden as a sanctuary and source for inspiration.

Volunteers are needed for this project and similar projects throughout Woodford County in an effort to spread the word of horticulture and connect to the community. The master gardener program helps enrich gardening knowledge, make a difference in the community and meet others who share a love of plants and gardening.

Classes will be held in a mixture of learning environments: seven of the classes will be face-to-face and four of the classes can be attended from the comfort of your home computer. Classes will be held every Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Feb. 2 and running through April 12. The online modules will be offered the weeks of Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 8 and March 22. The face-to-face training will be held at the University of Illinois Extension office located in Eureka.

Training topics include botany, herbaceous ornamentals, woody ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, soils, turf, insects, plant pathology, and more. The cost of the 11-week class and the Master Gardener training manual is $150. Registration closes Friday, Jan.  15.

Those interested in the program should contact Brittnay Haag at (309) 663-8306 or email her at bhaag@illinois.edu.

— Volunteers needed for Woodford master gardener program —