JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener training begins Aug. 15 for mid-Missouri residents.

The training is a collaboration between MU Extension in Cole County and Central Missouri Master Gardeners, says MU Extension horticulturist Dhruba Dhakal. Training includes 30 hours of online sessions and six field visits to flower and vegetable gardens, orchards, greenhouses and more in Cole and Boone Counties.

“The Extension Master Gardener training will help you to gain new horticulture knowledge and become a community resource for science-based information,” says Dhakal. “The training covers the benefits of gardening and provides opportunity to meet fellow gardeners.”

Orientation begins at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at the MU Extension Center in Cole County, 2436 Tanner Bridge Road, Jefferson City. The hybrid training consists of 11 weekly Zoom lectures 9-11 a.m. Thursdays from Aug. 22 to Oct. 31. Participants can join the lectures from home or at the MU Extension Center in Cole County.

Topics include plants and their environments, plant health and diseases, annual and perennial ornamentals, landscape design, introduction to soils, home lawn care, home fruit production, vegetable gardening, woody ornamentals, pruning ornamentals, plant propagation, integrated pest management and environmental stewardship.

Deadline to register is July 31. Register at https://mizzou.us/MidMoMGFall24 or contact Dhakal at dhakald@missouri.edu.