MADISON COUNTY – Individuals can make a personalized decoration to brighten a lawn, patio or balcony at an upcoming class by Master Gardeners of North Alabama Inc.

Master Gardeners will host a “Make a Garden Whimsy” class on July 13 at 10 a.m. at the Madison County Farmers Market, 1022 Cook Ave. in Huntsville.

“Anyone can make a garden whimsy with dishes from a thrift shop, bowls and cups,” Master Gardener Sue Khoury said.

“Then, you can add embellishments, such as glass pebbles. Thrift-shop spoons are flattened, bent and glued to the back of the whimsy. The handle fits into the pole or can be screwed to any wooden structure, like a fence or deck,” Khoury said. Master Gardeners will furnish a pole for hanging the decoration.

The cost for the class is $5, which includes all materials and step-by-step instructions. “We are hoping to have enough materials so everyone can make two whimsies,” Khoury said.

Anyone who plans to attend the class must register and pre-pay. Visit https://form.jotform.com/91823209031954. Class size is limited strictly to 25 participants.

Each Saturday through October, members of Master Gardeners of North Alabama will be available at the Madison County Farmers Market in Huntsville. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they will answer questions about gardening, talk about upcoming courses, conduct “Make and Take” classes, give presentations and perform free testing of soil pH, Khoury said.

“Master Gardeners were generously granted the use of the east end of the farmers’ market,” Khoury said. “Because we get so many requests for weekend workshops from people who work, the project chair and I decided to host monthly make-and-take classes on the second Saturday of each month.” 

On the fourth Saturday of each month, Master Gardeners will test soil pH from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. “On all other Saturdays, we’ll be at the farmers market to answer gardening questions or hand out information about the upcoming Master Gardener course,” Khoury said.

For more information, visit mginfo.org.