Want to learn the latest and greatest gardening information?

If you answered, “Yes,” it’s time to join the Tennessee Master Gardener Program. Spring classes are forming now and will begin Thursday, January 31. The class will meet on Thursday evenings from 6 - 8 p.m.

Master Gardeners are horticultural-educated volunteers who help the University of Tennessee Extension Service expand educational outreach by providing home gardeners with researched-based information.

Classes include 40 hours of horticultural-packed training. A tentative schedule of classes are as follows:

January 31: Landscape Design

February 7: Woody Ornamentals

February 14: Utilizing Trees in the Landscape
February 21: Plant Diseases
February 28: Insect Management
March 6: Lawn Management, Weed Control
March 13: Vegetable Production
March 20: Home Pest Management and Backyard Wildlife
March 27: Soil Fertility, Nursery Tour, Ag Chemicals
 

The program’s main goal is to increase the availability of horticultural information and to improve quality of life with community garden/landscape programs. This is possible through the training and utilization of local volunteers.

The Haywood County Master Gardeners Association’s activities include sponsoring the annual Hatchie Fall Fest Scarecrow Contest, hosting plant sales and consulting on landscape projects with the local schools.

To sign up for this year’s Master Gardener program, or for more information, call the UT Extension office at 772-2861. The office is located at 100 South Wilson Street.