Master Gardener Volunteers training starts in early March

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — Applications are due Feb. 19 for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Program that starts Thursday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the UMaine Extension Piscataquis County office, 165 East Main Street.

    UMaine Extension educators and other experts will provide 48 hours of research-based horticulture training over 16 weeks. Classroom and hands-on instruction will be included. The program will focus on ornamentals, garden vegetables, small fruits and fruit trees. Topics include soil science, composting and fertilizing, botany, growing nightshade vegetables, plant health and other aspects of plant management. After successful program completion, each Master Gardener Volunteer is expected to provide 40 hours of assistance to a community gardening project.
    The fee is due the first day of class; limited partial scholarships are available. For more information, or to request an application or disability accommodation, call 564-3301 or 800-287-1491.
    The application and more information also are available at umaine.edu/piscataquis/programs/master-gardener.