Rutgers Extension offers Master Gardener class

Do you know someone who loves to garden and keeps gloves and a trowel ready all the time? If so, Rutgers Cooperative Extension has a suggestion. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County is offering a 12-week Master Gardener class that is the perfect holiday gift solution for that someone.

To meet the requirements, the applicant must live in Ocean County, be able to attend classes held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., must have a desire to learn and a commitment to the community. The 75 hours of classroom instruction covers a broad spectrum of horticultural topics including lawn and garden care, wildlife issues, insect and disease identification, composting and drought gardening. Instructors are Rutgers Cooperative Extension educators and area specialists.

In return for the 75 hours of training the Master Gardener must return 75 hours of volunteer commitment to become a certified Master Gardener. Some of the volunteer time is returned by answering gardening questions from county residents at the Cooperative Extension office.

Other volunteer opportunities include the speakers bureau, tick lab, beautification projects and the Ocean County Park greenhouse and garden. Applications are available from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County office by calling (732) 349-1246. Classroom size is limited and is filled on a first-come basis.

The first class will be held on Jan. 28. The course fee is $200, which covers textbooks, speaker fees and materials.