Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Master Gardeners are inviting gardeners and those interested in learning about gardening to join them by taking the 2020 Master Gardeners course.

Master Gardener Pat Farmer said the course is designed to help beginners as well as experienced gardeners who want to take their skills to the next level.

Classes in the course cover everything from soil and woody ornamental to vegetable gardening and landscape design. Continued maintenance is also addressed.

Farmer said the classes are lecture style with some hands-on activities taught by Alabama Cooperative Extension Office personnel, Auburn University professors and Master Gardeners.

“I particularly liked landscape design because I had kind of a blank canvas … and vegetable gardening because I had never done it,” Farmer said.

Now, she enjoys having container gardens of vegetables she can pick from her back porch.

Farmer said one does not need to have a large space to garden.

Space is limited. Those interested in taking the course can sign up at the Chilton County Extension Office, 504 First Avenue North in Clanton.

Cost is $150 and includes all of the classes, extensive manual and activity supplies.

Classes will be held in Wednesdays from Jan. 22-April 15 at the Chilton County Extension Office from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Farmer said she still uses her manual even nine years after taking the course.

Although many retirees have taken the class, it is open to adults of all ages.

No prior experience is required. Farmer said her only experience with plants before taking the course was house plants.

“Never outside gardening,” Farmer said.

Her husband had heard a lot about the class and when they were both retired, they signed up.

“We have made wonderful friends, lifelong friends, and we have learned so much about gardening,” Farmer said.

For more information, contact the Chilton County Extension Office at 205-280-6268.

The Chilton County Master Gardeners meet at the Jemison Municipal Complex auditorium on the second Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. Farmer said anyone wanting to learn more about the group was welcome to attend.