Published: September 23, 2008 06:00 pm            

Sign up for Master Gardener training

Q: Is there a Master Gardener training class nearby this fall?

P. T., Zionsville



A: The Purdue Extension Office is accepting registrations for the 2008 Boone County Master Gardener class. Classes will be from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday and Wednesday, Oct. 6 through Nov. 19, 4-H Fairgrounds Community Building Dining Room, Lebanon.

The Master Gardener class is a Purdue Cooperative Extension program designed to expand horticultural knowledge to citizens in the community through the use of trained volunteers. The program is open to anyone interested in learning more about horticulture and who is willing to volunteer a portion of his time to natural resource-related programs and activities.

The Master Gardener class is appropriate for anyone with an interest in gardening, whether a beginner or long-time gardener. With the wide variety of classes, even experienced gardeners will be novices in some of the topics.

The Master Gardener Program is a training program for volunteers who then help the Extension Service extend information to others. After completing the class, interns must complete at least 35 volunteer hours in order to become certified Master Gardeners through Purdue University. Volunteer work can be done evenings and weekends; however, the class in Boone County is daytime only.

Some counties have night classes. Some are one per week, others are two per week. Participants can take the class in one county but volunteer in another. For example, if the Boone class schedule doesn’t work for you, it might be possible for you to take a night class in Marion County (classes held on northwest side of Indianapolis, just off 71st Street between Interstate-65 and I-465, about 15 minutes from Lebanon), but do the volunteer time with our Boone County Master Gardener Association.

For info and contacts for other Master Gardener classes in Indiana, see the state Master Gardener Web site at http://www.hort.purdue.edu/mg/, click on “training opportunities” then on “intern training.”

Upon passing a final examination and fulfilling the volunteer requirements, participants become certified Master Gardeners. Certified Master Gardeners receive several privileges from Purdue University, including yearly advanced training workshops, a statewide Master Gardener Conference, as well as Tri-State training conferences with Purdue University, Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky.

The Boone County Master Gardener Association helps interns fulfill their volunteer requirement and coordinates several educational activities.

Class topics are as follows: Insects; Botany/Plant Science Basics; Pesticides, Safety and Use; Plant Problem Diagnosis; Soils and Plant Nutrition, Vegetable Gardening; Native Plants; Weeds, Identification and Control; Home Lawns and Care; Trees and Shrubs (two classes); Landscaping, Principles of Design; Herbaceous Ornamentals; Home Fruit Growing, and Vegetable Gardening.

Applications are available by request from dakers@purdue.edu or the Extension Office (765) 482-0750. Checks payable: “Purdue CES Education Fund – Boone County.” Cost is $95. Deadline is Sept. 29 and enrollment is limited. For further information about the upcoming Master Gardener program, contact me at the Extension Office, office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Doug Akers is an Extension Educator for the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Agriculture & Natural Resources department. He can be reached at (765) 482-0750.

        

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