KINGMAN — The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension office at Beale and First Streets is home to the Master Gardener Program, a course that draws a wide range of residents who share one thing in common: a love of growing things.
What surprises many newcomers is that most participants aren’t pursuing a career in agriculture or landscaping. Instead, they’re everyday gardeners looking to deepen their knowledge.
“It’s incredibly fun, plus I bleed green,” said Master Gardener Pat Hargis, who frequently is present at public presentations from his knowledge gained in the program. “Most of us are just folks that love to garden for the love of gardening, and the ability to learn more about gardening.”
While the program isn’t designed strictly as a professional pipeline, the information taught can certainly support those who want to work in horticulture. But Mohave County’s unique environment presents challenges even seasoned growers must learn to navigate.
“We have a lack of organic matter in the soil. We have a lack of moisture,” Hargis said. “We have an overabundance of vicious, nasty little four- and six-legged creatures that run in each garden — and so how do you take care of those?”
For residents facing those challenges at home, help is only a phone call away. The Extension office maintains a rotating on call Master Gardener who fields questions and, when needed, makes site visits.
“You give us a call,” Hargis said. “Whichever one of us happens to be on call that week, we discuss your problem. We are all willing to come out and see your garden and see what your problem is, if we can’t solve it on the phone.”
The number for the University of Arizona Extension Office in Kingman is 928-753-3788.
The Master Gardener Program is just one part of the Extension’s work in Mohave County. The office also supports a wide range of health and wellness programs and plays a major role in local 4-H activities. Recent offerings have included a hands on class teaching youth how to properly show small animals for judging at the county fair.
Master Gardeners remain highly visible throughout the community. They host public talks, staff booths at local events, and share research-based advice with residents. At this year’s Home & Garden Show, volunteers answered questions from homeowners and new gardeners. Earlier in the year, the popular Tomato Quest at Locomotive Park distributed seeds for tomato varieties proven to perform well in the region’s climate.
Most recently, Master Gardener Nancy Lea led another public workshop at the Kingman Community Gardens, surrounded by thriving plots — many tended with techniques learned through the program.
