I love my plants and having a beautiful yard each summer. Lilacs are my absolute favorite and many years after planting three in my own yard, I finally get some beautiful vases full of flowers each year. Suddenly, however, by early July my lilac bushes looked sick with brown leaves throughout.

I thought they were history.

But alas, a trip to my TOG Farmers Market saved the day. What I didn’t realize is that this summer with its super wet and then hot conditions, led to a major fungal disease for trees and bushes in this region. After a talk, followed by a few pictures sent through email to a Master Gardener of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County (CCE-Saratoga), and I learned all about this and was assured there was no need to dig up and toss my lovely lilacs. They gave me some pruning tips too. It was much easier than a trip to Hewitt’s and at a landscape store, you have to seek out the salesperson with the true knowledge. 

The CCE-Saratoga County has set up a stand at the market multiple times this year, but it is dependent on its Master Gardener volunteer staff. Community Horticulture Educator Madison Blodgett is a resident of Greenfield and she said the group will be an even more regular vendor at the TOG market next year. They currently attend the Saratoga, Ballston Spa, and Clifton Park Farmers Markets and added Greenfield as a test this year, with plans to expand presence next year.

At markets, the Master Gardeners answer questions, talk with you about gardening, and will even collect your soil samples for pH testing. They also have kids’ activities and crafts to help grow their interest in gardening. The CCE-Saratoga County is reachable any time for advice on indoor or outdoor plants, flowers, lawns, pests and more.

“Markets give us the chance to reach our communities,” Blodgett said. “It’s a great way to connect with the public and let everyone know we are here to help.”

They recently did a container planting seminar with the Greenfield seniors. Public workshops are all listed on the agency’s website.

Blodgett’s family, which includes two daughters, moved to Greenfield in 2020. Her oldest daughter will begin at Greenfield Elementary School this year.

“I love how quiet and rural it is, while being close to downtown Saratoga,” she said. “I love to escape into nature in the woods at home.” Blodgett joined the CCE-Saratoga County in January of this year and is thrilled to be building awareness for it in her own town.

Are you a plant lover who might be interested in combining community service and your passion by becoming a Master Gardener? There are dozens of Master Gardeners in the area and the program starts in January. It requires coursework, testing and annual volunteer hours. If this sounds exciting to you, apply and you can join the team that works at the TOG Farmers Market next year. Call the CCE-Saratoga County at 518-885-8995 to inquire.

If you are questioning what is happening with your own attempts at horticulture, dive in and let the specialists help you.

What is the Cornell Cooperative Extension?
All states have a cooperative extension for agriculture advice and to link that state’s land-grant university and the federal Cooperative Extension. However, New York’s program is unique involving: Cornell University, the State of New York, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and New York residents. It is a governmental agency with an education mission to provide agricultural advice and resources to farms and the communities.