Christa Carignan

Christa Carignan is the Coordinator of Digital Horticulture Education for the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Home & Garden Information Center (HGIC). Christa earned a B.S. degree in Plant Science from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in Sociology from Elizabethtown College. She is a Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist and a certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional. Christa also holds a Certificate of Accomplishment in Horticulture from the Graduate School USA in Washington, DC, and a Pesticide Applicator License from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

Christa contributes to the development of the HGIC website, social media marketing, and Maryland Grows blog. The blog was named the Northeast Regional Winner (2022) and Maryland finalist (2020) for online/web content in the Communication Awards hosted by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. From 2017-2022, Christa coordinated HGIC's Ask Extension service and continues to provide subject matter expertise as well as technical and evaluation support for this signature service.

Prior to joining HGIC in 2017, Christa worked in the University of Maryland Entomology Department where she participated in a research project on the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. Her experience also includes work at the University of Maryland’s Plant Diagnostic Lab, Berry Pathology Lab, and Norton-Brown Herbarium. From 2009-2018, she was an active UME Master Gardener in Montgomery County where she served as a volunteer at the Brookside Gardens Plant Clinics. She also was a volunteer at the U.S. Botanic Garden and Pope Farm Nursery.

Christa has grown a variety of edible, ornamental, and Maryland native plants as a home gardener since 2004. Her personal interests include cut flower growing and floristry, natural dyeing with plants, and garden-inspired artwork.

Please visit the Home and Garden Information Center website for answers to your plant and pest management questions.