Young pepper plants grow in Jan Marshall's greenhouse in Onalaska on Wednesday, April 24.
Anyone who wants to become a Master Gardener and hone his or her gardening skills is encouraged to enroll in the 11-month Gardener Volunteer Training course.
The Washington State University Lewis County Extension office offers year-round enrollment. The program includes online access segments and videos, as well as once a month face-to-face meetings and topic related field trips.
The course is held on the third Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the exception of December.
The 11-month course includes classes one day per month including indoor and outdoor classroom time and online and hands-on activities, stated a press release.
Trainees are also required to complete 20 hours of volunteer time at one of four demonstration gardens, and 20 hours of volunteer time at the Extension Office in-house plant/insect clinic to complete their certification.
During the course, instructors will provide research based overviews and practices on over 25 topics that include basic botany, soils, nutrition, fertilizer, vegetable gardening, home orchards, berries, small fruits, lawns, herbaceous plants, trees, houseplants, entomology, plant pathology, weeds, vertebrate pests, IPM, pruning, composting, fire-resistant and waterwise landscaping and greenhouse construction.
Trainees must complete the 11 classroom lessons and their volunteer hours before receiving a certified WSU Master Gardener title.
Applicants must apply and attend a pre-orientation before starting the course.
Registration can be completed at the Lewis County WSU Extension Office, 351 NW North St., Chehalis, Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at any time during the year.
Tuition is $200 — $75 for the WSU online access fee and $125 for training supplies.
For more information, contact Art Fuller at 360-740-1216 or email art.fuller@lewiscountywa.gov.
