Very nice explanation of the program!! Depending on where you live - rural or urban/suburban areas - local extension offices are either focused on assisting home gardeners or farmers. Soil analysis (in some cases), plant disease and pest diagnosis, the issuing of publications dealing with items of horticultural significance or interest and the compiling of lists of suitable plants are all resources one can find through the extension service. And they are usually free (soil testing sometimes comes with a fee, as do services of the plant pathology labs).

The extension service is also the source of the Master Gardener program, which was developed initially to relieve some of the demands on the extension agents and utilizes trained home gardeners volunteers to assist other home gardeners with questions and advice on gardening and horticulture. In fact, the MG program was started here in WA state in the early 70's and is now active in all 50 states and Canada (they operate under a different but similar system).

Thankyou for the detailed explanation Cearbhail &GG,I've been wondering about this for quite some time...I'm quite jealous.To be honest I wouldn't have a clue where to get anything analysed.If it would cost our government anything to set up and run,there's no chance of us getting a similar set up here ha ha.
As you said cearbhail,it sounds like a place worth a visit to anyone,and that Master Gardener scheme seems a great idea GG!

"that Master Gardener scheme seems a great idea GG!"

In theory it is :-) Gardeners helping other gardeners is a wonderful concept and is what's behind the success of these forums. However, the program often attracts personality types that take the title of 'Master Gardener' a bit too literally. Some tend to become a little arrogant with what is just some very basic training - certainly nothing that would qualify them for being a "master" or "expert" at anything!! But there are just as many, if not more, members that are helpful, gracious and quite knowledgeable in their own right and lack the arrogance and condescension of the self-proclaimed know-it-alls.

Yes,a lovely concept.Shame about the big heads though I hope they are few and far between,I wonder why they joined if they're gonna be like that.

Ah well,though we'll never get a similar scheme here I've always got you and this forum :)

Houzi, I live near a small town called Maple Valley. It used to be called Vine Maple Valley. :-) There are a lot of Vine Maples here growing as an understory tree. They have better Fall color growing with more sun than deep shade. No water in the Fall and plant in good draining soil for the best Fall color.

I like the tree a lot and have some planted right up by the house. They rank right up there with most Japanese maples in my opinion.

Here's one showing some Fall color growing over the bluff behind my house. Looking northeast.

Mike

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i283/Botann/IMG_0512.jpg

Thanks for getting back to me Mike.Well it looks a cool tree there,nice and open which is what I like...s'funny...for no reason at all I didn't expect a nice red fall colour,an added bonus.If you rate them that's good enough for me.One of my little fellows will be saved now but it's got a long way to go.
Cheers again Mike :)