MONROE — Those interested in learning how to better manage lawns, trees, shrubs or gardens can register for the UW-Extension, Master Gardener Level One training offered in Monroe beginning Jan. 14.
Classes to learn more about horticulture and to become an Extension Certified Master Gardener Volunteer are being offered on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. from Jan. 14 to March 17 at the Green County UW-Extension Office, 2841 6th Street, Monroe. One Saturday session, March 7, will also be part of the training to be offered in 2020.
UW-Extension specialists and Green County Master Gardener volunteers will help class participants learn more about soils, plant nutrition and composting, botany, plant growth and propagation, lawn care, trees and shrubs, entomology, plant diseases, weed identification and invasive plants, integrated pest management, vegetables, fruits and general gardening, backyard wildlife, landscaping with herbaceous plants and perennials, and houseplants. Participants will receive a training manual and various other materials during the course.
In exchange for this instruction, participants are required to volunteer a minimum of 24 hours of service as a resource for horticulture inquiries in their community. This can be done through the UW-Extension Office in Green County or through many of the community projects done by the Green County Master Gardeners Association.
The fee to attend the 11-week program includes a Master Gardener training manual, a soil test for your own garden or lawn and admission to the Green County Master Gardeners Gardening Symposium on March 7. A limited number of scholarships are available to help pay a portion of the cost for those that qualify.
The program is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Registrations must be received by Dec. 18 at the Green County UW-Extension Office. A minimum number of participants is required to run the classes. For more information or to register, contact Jackie McCarville, Agriculture Educator at 608-328-9440, or visit the Green County UW-Extension website at green.extension.wisc.edu to print out an informational brochure and registration form.
