ID-36: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2024-25

Ric Bessin, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger, Misbah Munir, Rachel Rudolph, Shawn Wright | Jan. 29, 2024 (Major Revision)

Successful vegetable production generally requires the grower to make daily decisions regarding pest management, irrigation, and cultural practices. Would-be growers unwilling to make serious investments of time (and money) should not attempt to expand beyond a space at the farmers' market. It is important for vegetable growers to have a market outlet for their product before they choose to start production.

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HO-102: Annual and Perennial Flowers: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 18

Sharon Bale, Rick Durham | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Can you imagine a world without flowers? Their textures, colors, scents, and forms inspire gardeners, artists, and writers. The desire to grow flowers often motivates novices to take up gardening and moves experienced gardeners to become flower specialists. Annuals, biennials, and herbaceous perennials offer variety and interest to all styles of gardens.

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HO-103: Indoor Plants: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 19

Sharon Bale, Rick Durham | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Cultivating plants inside the home is both a popular hobby and an interior decorating technique. More than 75 percent of all American families use living plants as part of their home decor or cultural expression.

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HO-107: Selecting and Planting Woody Plants: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 16

Rick Durham, Bill Fountain | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Woody ornamental plants are key components of a well-designed landscape. Landscape plantings divide and define areas, add aesthetic and psychological benefits, and increase a property's environmental and economic value.

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HO-96: Basic Botany: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 1

Rick Durham | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Plants are essential to life on earth. Either directly or indirectly, they are the primary food source for humans and other animals. Additionally, they provide fuel, replenish the earth's oxygen supply, prevent soil erosion, slow down wind movement, cool the atmosphere, provide wildlife habitat, supply medicinal compounds, and beautify our surroundings.

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HO-100: Organic Gardening: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 21

Krista Jacobsen | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Organic farming and gardening have grown in popularity in recent years as consumers and producers have sought alternatives to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in favor of biologically based management.

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HO-104: Growing Tree Fruits: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 22

John Strang | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Growing tree fruits or nuts can provide a great deal of satisfaction, but it takes a commitment to care for your trees year-round.

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ID-192: Composting: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 13

Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Gardeners have long made and used compost to improve garden soil.

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ID-201: Your Yard and Water Quality: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 12

Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

We generally view gardening as a wholesome activity that enhances our environment. But pesticides, fertilizers, and erosion from gardens and landscapes can contaminate lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. Since the quality of our water resources affects our quality of life, we must learn how gardening practices can contribute to water contamination and how to reduce the threat to
water quality.

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HO-105: Landscape Design: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 14

Rick Durham | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Landscape designs differ depending on how the landscape will be used. Although the principles are the same, a homeowner who wants an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance landscape will create a design very different than that of an avid gardener whose main purpose in life is to spend time in the garden.