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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

The Alabama Master Gardeners program is hosting an in-person class from Aug. 11-Nov. 18 at the Chilton County Extension Office.

The early bird registration for the class was extended until July 8, and the cost is $150. The class fee goes up to $200 after July 8.

The 50-hour horticulture training program will include courses on maintaining home lawns, trees, scrubs, annual and perennial flowers and gardening. The classes will on Thursdays and will have a classroom lesson in the morning and a hands-on lab in the afternoon. The class will also collaborate together on a project to design and implement a landscape at the extension center.

“We are trying as hard as we can to make it more interactive,” County Extension coordinator Lucy Edwards said. “Things they can work on throughout the week at home, but also when we meet in person.”

Applicants must submit and pass a background check prior to their selection to participate. Participants will do the course materials over the 14-week period and will receive their Master Gardener intern certificate. Participants will get the schedule of classes after they have registered and been approved for the program.

From there, those interns will need to complete 50 volunteer hours in their communities by the end of the next calendar year. Those who complete the required hours will be named certified Master Gardeners. Those certified will remain active members of the program by completing 25 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education hours each year.