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Coweta County Extension Service gears up for

Master Gardener Training Program

Are you interested in learning more about gardening?

The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train

volunteers to provide educational horticulture information and

programs through the local county extension service. Participants in

the Master Gardener program will improve their knowledge

of horticulture and gardening skills as they help others

solve horticulture problems in the landscape and garden.

Coweta County Extension Service is working jointly

with extension services in Carroll, Douglas, Haralson and

Paulding counties to provide the 1999 Master Gardening

Training Program. The sessions will be held at the Carroll County

Ag-Ed Center each Tuesday and Thursday, Jan. 26-April 1

from 10 a.m.-noon.

Specialists from The University of Georgia,

extension agents, and other landscaping and horticulture specialists

will be conducting the program. Topics for the 1999

session include: Soils and Plant Nutrition; Plant Physiology;

Basic Entomology; Basic Pathology; Planting and

Maintaining Ornamentals; Plant Selection and Use; Vegetable

Gardening, Insects; Diseases and Weeds of Vegetables; Organic

Gardening and Composting; Small Fruit Production; Turf

Selection and Establishment; Turf Maintenance; Diagnosing

Turf Problems; Homeowner, Woody Ornamental and Turf

Insect Control; Ornamental and Turf Insect Control; Ornamental

and Turf Disease Lab; Annual and Perennials; Specialty

Gardens; Tree Care and Maintenance; Extension Office Procedures

and available resources; and "Getting Started."

The intent of the program is to provide training in

subjects that will prepare you to assist your local county

extension agent. Fifty hours of volunteer time are required for

Master Gardener initial certification. The tuition of $85 includes

40 hours of training, materials, and a 541-page Georgia

Master Gardener Handbook.

A limited number of applicants will be accepted into

the program. Selection is based on individual ability and

compatibility with the Coweta County Extension Program.

Applications are available at the Coweta County Cooperative

Extension Service, 21 East Washington Street, Newnan.

The deadline for application is Dec. 4. For more information,

call 770-254-2620.

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