Master Gardener Program

I just filled out the application to become a Master Gardener. All I have to do is pay up $90, attend 50 hours of classroom training, pass a 50 question test at the end, and perform 50 hours of volunteer time within one year for the county extension agent's office. The program is active in 45 states and in over half of the counties of Florida. If I'm one of 20 people selected I will learn about plant physiology, insects, plant diseases, care of landscape plants, vegetable gardening, fruit gardening, lawn management, landscape design, irrigation, and communications. What I am particularly interested in is how all this relates to my piece of ground located in my zone of plant hardiness, and what are the native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. If I'm selected I'll attend my first class on 13 January.

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