Master gardener classes taking applications

Monday, August 12, 2013

A new master gardener class will be starting on Wednesday, Aug. 21. The purpose of the Purdue Master Gardener Program is to teach people more about growing plants and to more effectively extend information related to plants to the community.

The program's specific aim is to provide information and technical assistance in the areas of gardening and home horticulture through the use of trained and certified volunteers.

I want to invite all the people that are interested in becoming master gardeners to contact me soon so I can set aside a place for you in the class. The class has limited space.

After acceptance into the Master Gardener Program, participants receive training in the following areas: plant science, plant nutrition, soil science, plant disease, insect pests, weeds, pesticide safety and pesticide alternatives, woody ornamentals, vegetable gardening, herbaceous ornamentals, home lawns, animal pests, home fruit production, indoor gardening and yard waste management.

To be part of the next series of master gardener classes, contact the Putnam County Extension Office and say that you are interested in the Master Gardner Class for the fall of 2013. You will have to complete an application form and return it to the Putnam County Extension Office.

The classes meet every Wednesday night from 6-9 p.m. Classes meet at the Purdue Extension office in Greencastle. The program lasts 12 weeks from Aug. 21 to Nov. 6.

To become a full-fledged master gardener, the program requires volunteer your services for a minimum of 35 hours. Throughout the class, there are opportunities to gain hours even before you have finished your class work.

So join our next class and bring a friend. Currently, we are taking applications for the class.

Contact the extension office for the application. There are a limited number of spaces in the class. The cost is $110. Family rates apply. We will be taking applications until Thursday, Aug. 15.

If you have any questions, contact Ann Delchambre at 653-8411, email adelchambre@purdue.edu, Facebook: Putnam County Agriculture and Twitter: AgAgent

Events:

Today through Aug. 18: Indiana State Fair.

Aug. 21: Start of the Master Gardener Classes, 6-9 p.m. in Greencastle.

Aug. 24: Gardening - Timeless -- Hamilton County Fairgrounds.

Sept. 2: Labor Day, office closed.

Sept. 27: Entry deadline for Indiana Beef Evaluation Program Winter Test.

Sept. 28: Adventures in Gardening, Hendricks County Fairgrounds.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: