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If this is your first visit to the area, read the instructions, below.
Otherwise go directly to the discussion to converse with others in the Master Gardener training.

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How to use the discussion area

The discussion area is a place to post messages and to develop dialog with the other people studying this material. Use it to ask questions and to help other students. The best learning happens when you are teaching someone or sharing something you've learned. This is a founding principle of the Master Gardener program. We have also found that when students engage with one another online, new vistas of learning open up, making the learning process dynamic, with lots of surprising and interesting twists and turns.

There is a folder for each topic of the course in which to post your questions and comments pertaining to that topic. Open any message listed there, and fill in the boxes under "Post a Followup" and click the "Submit Follow Up" button. To keep the discussion organized, we request that you do not fill out the form on the main page--that would start a new topic. If you have a new topic to suggest, post your suggestion, or e-mail it and we will consider adding it.

One of the best features of the forum is that you do not have to go back to it to get replies that other people post. You "subscribe" to the forum, so you get copies of all other messages posted via e-mail. When you want to respond, go back to the board to post your reply so that others get your response. You can unsubscribe when you finish the course, or at any time you choose.

The instructions for subscribing and using the discussion area are posted in the forum itself. Go to the top or the bottom of the list of messages and read the instructions posted by Rick Eckel. Use those messages to post any questions you have and we'll answer them online.

Please: We expect this area to be used for its intended educational purpose only. Do not post personal information, photos, advertisements or materials intending to shock or offend. We will remove them.

About the search

The search box is designed to search through the messages and bring up a list of messages containing the keyword you entered. Try this by searching on Eckel. This will bring up all the messages written by Rick Eckel containing instructions. It will become more useful as you use the discussion, since more topics will be entered in both the questions and answers.

View today's messages

This option allows you to list the messages that were posted today. It is handiest if you log on every day to check. But when you subscribe, you get all the messages in your e-mail, so when you receive a message, you can use this option to bring up today's messages in order to reply to any that you choose.

How to get help

The titles of each box on the blank forms are linked to specific information about what you should enter in the box. Just click on the word or phrase that's green and underlined to get specific information.