By MARIA RAKOCZY
maria@themadisonrecord.com

MADISON – Master Gardeners of North Alabama (MGNA) is preparing gardeners for the upcoming spring and summer season with free, public workshops. With topics ranging from “Native Plants” to “Perennials, Annuals, and Companion Plants”, MGNA’s Newcomers and Beginners Brown Bag Garden series in the month of February instruct and educate the public on starting and caring for a garden in North Alabama.

“Among the topics we cover in our workshops are things homeowners can use in their daily lives such as correct pruning, water conservation, right plant in the right place, proper care and needs of plants, soil amendments, integrated pest control and many more topics,” Janet Boothe, MGNA Education Workshop Chair, explained.

Last week’s workshop, “Soil, Grass, Water Management” lead by MGNA Regional Extension Agent Rhonda Britton, explained maintenance measures for warm season and cool season grasses in North Alabama lawns along with water conservation techniques. Britton shared vital information on the unique characteristics of the North Alabama landscape to residents and offered tips on yielding healthy grass and soil according to type and pH levels.

MGNA has been dedicated to educating gardeners about the local, native environment since 1981 and commenced annual series of workshops in 2010. For forty-two years the MGNA has adhered to its threefold mission: “To enhance and supplement the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Horticulture Program (Master Gardener Program). To extend the Master Gardener’s knowledge of and interests in horticulture and related activities. To disseminate to North Alabama residents information on horticultural practices and techniques in accordance with standards approved by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.”

This year MGNA is rotating venues of their workshops between the Madison Library, South Huntsville Library, and Main Branch to increase accessibility for all parts of the community.

There are two more workshops in February for the Newcomers and Beginners Brown Bag Garden Series that will be held at 11:30 a.m. on the last two Tuesdays of the month at the Madison Library. Workshops will start again March 21 and continue once a month, excepting July, through November. In addition to these workshops, MGNA also plays host to their large annual plant sale.

For information and a schedule of upcoming events, visit mg.aves.edu.