• Originally published July 26, 2008 at 4:49 p.m., updated July 26, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.

Interested in the latest information on shade trees, lawn grasses, diseases, or SuperStar plants for your back yard? Enjoy the feeling of helping out someone, teaching them something about gardening?

Then the Victoria County Extension organized Master Gardener program may be what you are looking for.

While open to all, men are especially encouraged to sign up to participate in activities that will allow them to learn how to enhance their yard and landscape. In the past 11 years though, 124 of the 175 people or 71 percent who went through the 16 week course became certified master gardeners by completing their 50 hours of volunteerism and are still active in the program today. Speaks pretty highly for a volunteer organization with some members volunteering over 10 years.

What’s on tap for the 2008 training? How about 16 weeks of information. Training sessions will be from 1 to 5 p.m. each Thursday from Aug. 7 to Nov. 20 with graduation on Dec. 16.

Topics? To really know gardening, you must understand plants and how they grow. Once that is accomplished, you’ll learn about diagnosing diseases and identifying insects; the good and the bad - and how to manage them. Then plant propagation or learning how to grow more of your favorite plants from seed, cuttings, roots, buds or grafts will be taught. This will be hands-on training.

We’re just getting started. Next you’ll learn about the recommended trees, shrubs, perennials, roses and SuperStar plants and how to care for these. The same with vegetables and herbs for your garden.

Sampling your own soil and learning what it means will be a great benefit to your gardening success. Topics on the latest recommendations in growing backyard fruits and nuts and learning home landscaping principles and EarthKind gardening practices really are advantageous.

Everyone has a yard, and turfgrasses, varieties and their management is high on their interest and will be discussed.

For all those pests that need controlling, you’ll learn about pesticide safety, organic pest control and application techniques.

And lastly, you’ll receive training to teach youngsters through the Junior Master Gardener program, conduct children’s tours, educate the public with the skills you learned, write news articles such as “The Gardeners’ Dirt” in the Victoria Advocate, and present programs.

Tomorrow is the last day to fill out the form to be evaluated to see if you qualify for the program. The registration fee is $135 plus a $40 optional bus tour of various state gardens. Forms can be obtained at the county extension office, 442 Foster Field Drive or by calling 361-575-4581. If you can commit 16 Thursday afternoons to enhance your knowledge and at least 50 hours of volunteer time donated back in 2009, mostly during the 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. time period, the Victoria County Master Gardener program is an exciting endeavor waiting for you.

Joe Janak is a Victoria County extension agent.

• Master Gardener trainingEvery Thursday, beginning Aug. 7 and ending Nov. 20

  1 to 5 p.m.

  Graduation Dec. 16

  $135 registration fee

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