(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – February has been much too cold and wet to think about working in the yard or planting flowering annuals. Luckily, Master Gardeners of North Alabama have a solution for eager gardeners.

To get a head start, Lunch & Learn Gardening Workshops will be held at the Madison County Extension Office, 819 Cook Ave. in Huntsville. The master gardeners and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System are sponsoring the free meetings.

“Why not attend a lunch-and-learn education workshop on some of your favorite topics?” Master Gardener Rose Berry said.

On March 5, Tom Gilbert, a master gardener and award-winning dahlia grower, will present a program on dahlias. Gilbert will explain the optimum planting conditions and summer care for the showy flower bulbs.

On March 19, George Bennett of Bennett’s Nursery will present a program on shade gardening. Bennett will discuss hostas of varying colors, sizes and shapes, ferns, caladiums, astilbe and other perennials and annuals that add color and interest away from the sun.

Both workshops will meet from noon to 1 p.m.

The workshops are free, but participants must pre-register to attend. Visit mginfo.org and click the registration link in the “2014 Workshop Schedule” section. An email will be sent to confirm registrations.

“Bring your lunch or just bring yourself,” Berry said. “Everyone is welcome.”

The Master Gardeners of North Alabama organization supports several service projects that help restore and beautify areas in communities and partner with organizations to nurture and teach sound horticultural practices to residents.

For gardening help, call “Ask a Master Gardener” at 256-532-1578 in Huntsville or the statewide Help line at 877-252-4769. For more information, visit mginfo.org.