The University of Tennessee and Master Gardeners of Hamilton County (MGHC) announce that registration is open for the 2020 Master Gardener Training Course. Classes run from early January through the end of April and take place at the UT Extension office, 6183 Adamson Circle (off Bonny Oaks Drive) in Chattanooga.
There are two class options: Monday evenings beginning January 6 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday mornings beginning January 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Classes meet for 15 consecutive weeks (40 hours) ending with a graduation ceremony in May.
The UT / Master Gardener Training Course is open to both experienced and beginning gardeners and offers the most current, research-based information available on topics related to home gardening and landscaping. Subjects to be covered in the 15-week course including soil and water management, mulch and fertilizers, controlling pests and plant diseases, basic landscaping, vegetable, flower and herb gardening, understanding native plants, attracting wildlife, beekeeping and other related gardening issues.
The cost of the Master Gardener Training Course is $170 per person which includes a comprehensive information handbook, numerous handouts, and much more. Couples taking the class and sharing materials may enroll for $270. A limited number of scholarships are available. Applications can be obtained at the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County website: www.mghc.org or by phone: (423) 855-6113. For questions, contact Tom Stebbins, Extension Agent at tstebbins@utk.edu.
Extension Agent Tom Stebbins notes, “Each year we offer our Master Gardener Training Classes for an eager group of interested gardeners. Over the 15-week course, they are introduced to the most up-to-date information about gardening and landscaping techniques presented by UT Extension specialists and local experts in horticulture. Our own experienced Master Gardeners serve as mentors and guides into the many volunteer activities undertaken by MGHC members all around Hamilton County. In addition to 40 hours of informative lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on experience, trainees attend MG meetings and earn both volunteer hours and education credits toward becoming Certified Master Gardeners. We look forward to meeting new Master Gardeners at this year’s classes and welcoming them into our community.”
Celebrating 25 years of education and service, the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County is a non-profit, educational, volunteer organization that plays an important role in the civic life of Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Each year, MGHC presents the “Master Your Garden” Garden Expo at Camp Jordan Arena in April, the Spring Garden Tour in June, and an exhibit at the Hamilton County Fair in September. Among the many on-going landscaping and garden partnerships undertaken by MGHC are: Alpine Crest Outdoor Learning Center & Gardens, Aquarium Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, Bachman-McCoy Farm & Garden, Bonny Oaks Arboretum, Brainerd By Grace Community Garden, Brainerd Mission Cemetery, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga Zoo, and St. Albans Community Rose Garden, among others. For more information about MGHC activities, visit www.mghc.org.