Applications Due for March Master Gardener Training

Applications are due Feb. 19 for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Program that starts March 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the UMaine Extension Piscataquis County office, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Live video conferencing of the training will be provided at Extension offices in Skowhegan, Fort Kent, Presque Isle and Houlton.

UMaine Extension educators and other experts will provide 48 hours of research-based horticulture training over 16 weeks. Classroom and hands-on instruction will be included. The program will focus on ornamentals, garden vegetables, small fruits and fruit trees. Topics include soil science, composting and fertilizing, botany, growing nightshade vegetables, plant health and other aspects of plant management. After successful program completion, each Master Gardener Volunteer is expected to provide 40 hours of assistance to a community gardening project.

The $220 fee is due the first day of class; limited partial scholarships are available. For more information, or to request an application or disability accommodation, call 207.564.3301, 800.287.1491 (in Maine), TDD 800.287.8957. The application and more information also are available online.