Master Gardener classes begin Feb. 28

The Master Gardeners classes, sponsored by the Elmore County University of Idaho Extension Office, will begin Feb. 28

The first class will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. The program features ten three-hour classes that run until March 22, all held at the Elmore County Service Building, next to the new jail, at 2255 E. 8th North St.

Extension educator Mir Seyedbagheri will be teaching the course, which will cover soils, organic gardening, composting, recognizing nutrient deficiencies, insect and weed control and more. There also will be a few opportunities for field trips: on March 7, when the Idaho Horticulture Society and the Botanical Gardens hold a Spring Horticulture Symposium, and the weekend of March 20-22, when participants can create and enter a container design contest at the Flower and Garden Show at Boise Centre on the Grove.

Earning the title of Master Gardener requires that participants donate 40 hours of community service. Over the years, Elmore County Master Gardeners have completed many community projects, including landscape design, decorating the fairgrounds, helping senior citizens with their gardening needs and contributing to city beautification.

The fee for the course is $60 to cover MG notebooks and supplies.

For more information and to register contact Kim Kovac at 587-2136 ext. 509, or send an email to: elmore@uidaho.edu and put MASTER GARDNER in the subject line.