The Missouri Master Gardeners Program – which exists to provide horticultural information and training to the gardening public based on proven research specific to the local climate, soils, and plants – will be offered in this area.
The 2009 edition is sponsored by University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri State University Fruit Experiment Station. The course is 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the Fruit Experiment Station in Mountain Grove starting Aug. 17. Classes will be each Monday evening through Nov. 2 with the exception of Labor Day.
Master Gardeners is an in-depth study course that will address a broad array of horticultural topics, including an introduction to plants and their environment, soils and fertility, turf grass and maintenance, trees and woody ornamentals, pruning, insect ID and control, vegetable crops, diagnosing plant problems, fruit crops, use of native plants as ornamentals and plant propagation.
The fee is $125 or $205 for two persons from the same household. Each participant or couple will receive the textbook “Grounds for Gardening” as part of the class. To be certified as a Master Gardener, participants must attend 30 hours of classroom training and in turn provide 30 hours of volunteer service. Volunteer service can be obtained through a wide assortment of activities.
Anyone interested in horticultural production is invited. Registration is limited to 30 people. Class members will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons wanting additional information can contact Ted Probert at 417-741-6134, Angie Fletcher at 417-683-4409 or Marilyn Odneal at 417-547-7513.
To register for the class, call 417-683-4409.