Would you like to learn how to transform your yard into a garden? Or perhaps you want to grow some of your own vegetables and herbs. Perhaps you’ve relocated to this region from elsewhere and would like to adapt your gardening to this region.

Whether you’re a novice, intermediate or advanced gardener, Adams County Master Gardeners training course can help you take the next step in your gardening goals. The annual training course begins Feb. 21 and continues each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon through March 29. Class meets at the headquarters building on Carthage Point Road from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Delicious refreshments made by current Master Gardeners are served during a mid-afternoon break.

Topics include how to improve soils (the foundation for any good garden), how to identify and combat weeds, how to grow ornamentals, how to grow vegetables, planting and caring for fruit and nut trees, identifying and combating insect pests and caring for lawns. Instructors are members of Mississippi State University’s staff.

The fee for the course is $105, and includes all course material, supplies, a one-year membership in the state Master Gardener Association and a nifty Master Gardener vest. After course completion, new Master Gardeners are asked to volunteer 40 hours in a year for community service. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds. There are many existing projects, including pruning crape myrtle trees around town, planting trees and ornamentals in downtown Natchez, helping at educational workshops and forums and assisting with children’s projects. Some are hands-on events, providing the opportunity to work alongside experienced Master Gardeners; others are no sweat educational events.

Subsequent years of membership require just 20 hours a year of community service and 12 hours a year of education.

This isn’t much of a time commitment, especially considering all the fun and educational learning opportunities Master Gardener provides.

Registration must be completed by Tuesday.

For more information, contact David Carter, Master Gardener advisor, 601-445-8201 or his cell, 601-597-4717.

Come join a group of enthusiastic, friendly and helpful people who are beautifying Adams County garden by garden, tree by tree.

 

Karen Dardick joined Master Gardeners five years ago when she moved to Natchez from California.