Colorado Master Gardener℠ (CMG) volunteers are a dedicated group of individuals who are knowledgeable and passionate about sharing gardening, landscape and horticulture education. This month we are highlighting JoAnne Hoffman.

When did you join the Colorado Master Gardener program and why did you join?  

I joined the Master Gardener program in 2008. I had met some Master Gardeners at the Boulder Farmer’s Market the summer before and talked about the program with them. I also found out that one of my patients was a Master Gardener and she filled me in on the program. I have always liked to grow flowers and veggies and have found Colorado’s climate somewhat difficult, so I thought I should learn about it. I had no idea that the program involved volunteer work until I went for an interview, but I was so happy that volunteering is the main focus.

What is your favorite CMG activity and why?

My favorite activity is working at the Colorado Center for the Blind Legacy Garden. It is very rewarding to help the students garden and teach them about growing plants.

What is your favorite part of the CMG program and why?

One of my favorite things about the CMG program is the other CMGs that I work with. We help each other and we learn from each other.

Might you have a funny story or something of humor to share?

During one office shift a woman came in with a lawn sample for me to diagnose. In the middle of this nice green sample was a “spikey” thing growing out of the grass. I tried not to laugh and told her that here grass was simply producing seed. I said, “Your lawn is happy, but make sure to mow all the seed heads down as you really don’t want it to go to seed.”

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned that you did not know before becoming an MG?

One of the major things I have learned about is that we have microclimates in our own yards. This is a very important factor to consider when deciding what to plant where.