By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

Registration for the fall semester of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) Master Gardener training program in Moapa Valley will be held next Wednesday, June 8, at 9 a.m. in the extension office, 1897 N. Moapa Valley Blvd.

The volunteer program is open to anyone with an interest in gardening and a desire to share the learned material with the community, according to Denise Stoesser, UNCE horticulturist. Students will learn sustainable desert gardening practices including plant selection and care, disease and pest management and water-efficient gardening.

Class topics include introduction to plants; desert bioscape; soil amendments, mulches and compost; propagation; vegetables and other annuals; integrated pest management; fruit trees; insects, and plant pathology.

“In order to become a Master Gardener, a person must complete 80 hours of horticultural instruction and volunteer 50 hours on community projects each year,” Stoesser said. “At the June 8 registration/informational meeting staff will detail the training program requirements, volunteer commitment and Master Gardener community projects.”

Fall classes are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from Sept. 12 to Oct. 31. The cost for the 20 scheduled classes is $150 which covers all class materials including three textbooks, MG badge, shirt, tote and weekly refreshments.

Enrollment is limited but completed registrations that include cash or a check payable to Board of Regents will secure it. Registrations will be accepted on a first come basis at the registration session next week.

Reservations for the meeting can be made by calling Stoesser at 702-397-260 or email at stoessard@unce.unr.edu.

The UNCE is an outreach arm that extends unbiased, research-based knowledge to local communities. Education programs are developed based on local needs, sometimes in partnership with other agencies and volunteers. For more UNCE information please visit www.unce.unr.edu.