The Master Gardener volunteer program is currently accepting applications for the class beginning January 9, 2013, at the Extension Office in Clanton.

The course is designed for non-professionals with an interest in increasing their gardening skills and helping others with the knowledge they’ve gained.

The course will last 13 weeks and will be conducted each Wednesday (January 9–April 3) from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. After completing the course, Master Gardener interns will be expected to give 50 hours of volunteer service to their communities through garden projects, diagnosing plant problems or assisting the local Cooperative Extension Office in some way.

Specialists from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the local County Extension office will be the instructors for the course.

The topics to be covered include:

• Soils and plant nutrition

• Plant physiology

• Entomology

• Plant pathology

• Care of landscape plants

• Landscape design

• Plant selection

• Lawn care

• Weed identification

• Houseplants

• Vegetable gardening

• Home orchards

• Plant propagation

The registration fee has increased this year and is $150 per person (or $225 per couple, which includes one book) for registration prior to December 5. After December 5, the fee is $175 per person (or $275 per couple).

Space in the class is reserved once a completed application and registration fee is received. The class is limited to 20 people.

For more information, contact the Chilton County Extension office at (205) 280-6268.