County residents who want to learn and share environmentally sound gardening practices can apply to join the 2012 Master Gardener training program. The course is scheduled to run from Jan. 24 through March 9. Classes meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Maryland Extension office,18410 Muncaster Road, Derwood.
The $300 fee includes a training manual and other materials. Extension faculty and staff, as well as other experts, present horticulture lectures that cover ornamental plants, fruits, vegetables and herbs; identifying common pests and diseases; and proper fertilization and watering practices.
To become a Master Gardener, participants must attend a two-hour orientation, complete the course work and a final exam, and volunteer for 45 service hours in the first year. Participants should have access to the Internet. Registration deadline is Dec. 30. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.