Become a Master Gardener--learn by doing and by sharing the love of gardening. Training is the first step. Trainees receive 45 hours of intense training on plant growth, soils, pest management, native plants and other topics. Participants agree to give 30 hours of volunteer service in the year following training. Twenty of the volunteer hours will be working in the on-site demonstration gardens at the MU Extension Center of St. Charles County. The remaining 10 hours are a free choice from a variety of other projects. Subsequent years require a minimum of 20 volunteer hours and six educational hours to remain an active Master Gardener.

Training will be held February 27 through June 5, 2019, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at MU Extension Center, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters MO 63376. The cost is $195, and all major credit cards are accepted. For more information and a sample schedule, visit http://extension.missouri.edu/stcharles/mastergardenertraining.aspx or call MU Extension at 636-970-3000. Registration can be done over the phone.

Master Gardeners volunteer their time to promote and to demonstrate good gardening principles and techniques, as well as participate in projects that enhance the beauty of our community.