These Master Gardeners proudly show vegetables gathered from a community garden. Local residents can train to become a Master Gardener with the Winter Tri-County Master Gardener Course that starts Feb. 5. (CONTRIBUTED)

BELLE MINA – The world of flowers, grasses, vegetables and trees becomes vividly alive for a Master Gardener. Offered twice each year, the Winter Tri-County Master Gardener Course will start Feb. 5.

“You can learn how to grow a healthy landscape or your own vegetable garden and serve the community,” Master Gardener Andria Cummings said. “Become a certified Master Gardener volunteer under the Alabama Master Gardener volunteer program, affiliated with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.”

The winter course is open to individuals in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Application deadline is Jan. 23.

The Master Gardener educational program “trains and certifies individuals who, in turn, volunteer their expertise and time in support of the Cooperative Extension System effort, along with organizations that foster horticultural science and best practices in local communities,” Cummings said.

The 13-week class runs from Feb. 5 to April 30. The class meets on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Belle Mina Research Station on Mooresville Road in western Limestone County. The course fee is $140, which includes all study materials. (aces.edu/counties/Limestone/TriCounty)

During the course, lectures and study will include plant pathology, weed science, basic botany, sustainable gardening, lawns, landscape design, soils, plant nutrition, vegetable gardening and herbs. For plant propagation, students will gain hands-on experience in planting seeds and pruning plant segments to generate new plants.

Master Gardeners in Madison, Huntsville and across Madison County frequently conduct workshops for varied lawn and garden studies, conduct classes on campus for local students in elementary schools and work diligently on area beautification projects.

For an application, visit mginfo.org, scroll and click the “Become A Certified Master Gardener” tab. Individuals can mail or deliver applications to Ken Creel, Madison County Cooperative Extension Office, 819 Cook Ave., in Huntsville.

For questions, contact Creel by calling 256-532-1578, emailing to creelkw@aces.edu or visiting tricountymastergardener@gmail.com.