Marion County Master Gardeners plant and maintain the All-America Selections Demonstration Garden at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Photo courtesy Steve Mayer
The Purdue Master Gardener Program in Marion County offers 50 hours of classroom instruction on gardening related topics in exchange for a donation of 50 volunteer hours to help teach others what you have learned.
The Marion County classes consist of 18 three-hour sessions on: plant science; soils and fertilizers; pests and pest management (insects, diseases, animals, weeds); plant problem diagnosis; pesticide use and safety; home lawn care; growing vegetables; trees and shrubs; annual and perennial flowers; flowering bulbs and ornamental grasses; home landscape design; growing fruit; landscape planting and maintenance; pruning trees and shrubs; indoor plant care, and information on potential volunteer opportunities.
Participants also learn how to find reliable answers to gardening questions using the Internet and other resources. Most class sessions are in a lecture format with the opportunity to ask questions. The volunteer activities after the program provide additional hands-on learning.
Purdue Master Gardener Class
Daytime classes: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 17 through Nov. 21, 2013.
Nighttime classes: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sept. 17 through Nov. 21, 2013.
Location: Purdue Extension-Marion County Office, 1202 E. 38th St., Discovery Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds Purdue Master Gardener Class
Registration deadline: Sept. 12.
Cost: $150 materials fee
For more info: (317) 275-9286 or dschelsk@purdue.edu Complete schedules and registration information for both classes are online [1].