ROCHELLE — What types of flowers grow best in shady areas? What planting zone are we in? How often should tomato plants be watered? Community members can ask these and any other gardening questions at any of the three “Ask a Master Gardener” sessions coming to Rochelle on May 6 at Big R, May 13 at Sullivan’s Foods, and at Wal-Mart on May 20. All sessions are from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For many, gardening brings a sense of accomplishment but it also can pose challenges or raise questions. Sue Paulin, Master Gardener through the University of Illinois Extension, will be on hand to answer those questions and provide insight into the world of gardening. Paulin is one of 22 active Master Gardeners in Ogle County and is trained in a variety of topics from soils, vegetables, and fruits to flowers, landscaping, insects, and diseases.

Since becoming a Master Gardener 12 years ago, Paulin has spoken to nearly every group in the Rochelle area, including young students in the Hub Project’s after school program. What she describes as a “traveling classroom,” Paulin discusses topics such as pollinators, butterflies, and worms during her presentations to the students.

Paulin has also volunteered in the garden at the Rochelle Child Care Center, working with the young kids.

Paulin said people ask a variety of questions during “Ask A Gardener” sessions and most often they can be answered immediately. There have been occasions people bring in samples of bugs or diseased foliage, seeking identification or ways to manage it. Any samples must be brought in a Ziploc-type bag.

“We get questions about specific plants and vegetable gardening especially at this time of year. Questions about tomatoes…everybody wants to grow tomatoes and have them really tasty and good from their yard,” Paulin said. “If we can’t answer the question on the spot we will do the research and get back to them.”

Paulin and the team of Master Gardeners have access to entomologists, researchers, and multiple resources at the University of Illinois.

“Sue is one of the top volunteers year after year in the Master Gardener program volunteering thousands of hours in the county,” said Liz Sosa, program coordinator at Univ. of Ill. Extension. “Rochelle and the county are very fortunate to have her educating our youth, teens, adults, and seniors. She is impressively involved and giving of her time, experience, and knowledge.”

Master Gardeners

Becoming a Master Gardener does not require a degree in horticulture; however, applicants must have a sincere desire to learn and share some horticulture information. Along with being able to communicate effectively and devote time to training sessions and volunteering, they must also be willing to follow the university’s pest control recommendations and home horticulture information.

“The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program teaches adult volunteers to help disseminate up-to-date, research based horticulture information to home gardeners,” Sosa said. “Ogle County’s next training session will be held in the Fall of 2018. Boone County has a Master Gardener training scheduled to run on Fridays, Sept. 8, 2017 through Nov. 17, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Belvidere.”

Sosa added that Ogle County residents have the option to do their training in Belvidere. Upon completion they can join the Ogle County group for their volunteer hours and monthly meetings.

“If you are unable to visit with a Master Gardener during this fantastic opportunity you can contact Bobbi Burke and Stephanie Wascher, two additional Master Gardeners which are taking the lead on the Master Gardener Hotline Help Desk. Stop in or call the office to speak with one of Ogle’s awesome Master Gardeners,” Sosa said.

The University of Illinois Extension office is located at 421 W. Pines Rd., Oregon.

The Hotline Help Desk is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., April through September and can be reached at 815-732-2191.

“What we are about at Extension is giving research-based information to folks, not grandma’s wise tales. We tell you the true thing,” Paulin said.