"Dirty Rascals" Go High-Tech

The "Dirty Rascals Junior" Master Gardener (JMG) 4-H Club met this week to plan for their upcoming fundraiser. They also took the opportunity to go high tech and plant the AeroGarden that they helped purchase, along with the Master Gardeners for the Robeson County Office.

As part of the planting project they planted all three AeroGardens. The top one will grow cherry tomatoes, two red and one gold heirloom. The middle one will grow a variety of herbs including mint, basil, dill, oregano and thyme. The bottom AeroGarden is loaded with basil. All the herbs and tomatoes can be used as part of the the nutrition cooking programs that take place at the Extension office. The youth did a great job planting and covering the pods with their greenhouse caps. They also put nutrients in each planting system and made sure each was full of water. In just a few days we should be seeing sprouts and taking off the caps to let our herbs and tomatoes grow.

The members are also getting ready for their annual plant sale in partnership with the Master Gardeners. This is the clubs big fundraiser every year. The money they raise will be used for their fair booth and for their annual field trip. The Master Gardener Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, April 24, in the North State Optics parking lot. The sale begins at 7 a.m. All of the plants are sold for $2 each. The Master Gardeners raise and donate the plants for the sale. In past years buyers have gotten Azaleas, blackberry bushes, Japanese Red Maples, Dogwoods and much much more. The Junior Master Gardeners will be selling herbs and grow cards. With each sale of their herbs will come a recipe card to allow participants use the herbs as part of their culinary lifestyles. If you have a chance and are looking for some great deals come out and see us next Saturday. The youth will be happy to tell you all about their herbs and will be more than happy to sell you some in support of their club and club activities.

For more information about the plant sale please contact Kerrie Roach, Horticulture Extension Agent at (910) 671-3276 or Kerrie_Roach@ncsu.edu.