Recently, this educational UF/IFAS Hernando County Extension Service volunteer organization graduated its first class of Master Gardeners who participated in the first online course of its kind in the State of Florida. Hernando County now offers the class in a format that is accessible from 
home, with just one 3-hour class a week held at the Extension Service office in Spring Hill in the evening. Designed to allow more participation from those who are still in the work world; this course is intended for anyone with an interest in gardening, conservation and sensible lawn care
for homeowners who want to give back to their community.

Hernando County Extension Service Master Gardeners Go Online

The 11-week course takes one through the basics in plant and insect identification, good management practices for lawn care, plant diseases and other related topics. Once the course is completed, a Master Gardener amplifies the services already available through contact with the Horticultural Agent.
There is a charge for materials, but the university level course is given at no charge with an understanding of a commitment to volunteer following graduation. The function of the Master Gardener is to provide education to the public to promote a healthy respect for Florida’s natural resources and to make certain that homeowners are informed about appropriate fertilization and irrigation techniques.
Volunteers staff a weekly table at Lowe’s on Route 19 in Spring Hill and a phone desk, Monday through Friday at the extension office, to answer questions for callers. In addition, the Master Gardeners operate a local plant nursery specializing in native and Florida-friendly plants and shrubs.

The Master Gardeners will hold an orientation on August 22, 2019, and those interested may come to the Extension Service office on Aviation Loop Drive in Spring Hill to hear more about what they will learn and how to use that knowledge. Orientation attendees will have until August
29 to submit a completed application for the class which begins on September 12th.
More information, and an opportunity to sign up to attend the orientation are available on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ufifas-extension-new-master-gardener-orientation-tickets-66495653289
This is a wonderful opportunity to gain some additional knowledge of how to be successful gardening and living with nature in Florida as well as to perform a much-needed public service as a volunteer.

For more information, please call 352-754-4433, or email Dr. William Lester, Urban Horticultural Agent, at wlester@ufl.edu.