ESCANABA — The Master Gardener program will be offered again this winter starting Feb. 6 and running on Tuesday nights at the MSU Extension Office of Delta County in Escanaba. Classes run from 6:30 TO 9:30 p.m. with 10 classes being held between Feb. 6 and ending April 10. The cost is $190 per person and includes the course notebook.

The Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension. An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism, and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application.

Applicants attend a 10-week series of classes, learning basic horticulture principles and environmentally sound gardening practices. Topics include plant science, soils for plant growth, flower gardening, woody ornamentals, integrated pest management, growing small fruits, growing fruit trees, vegetable gardening, indoor plants, lawn care, managing wildlife and indoor pests. After completing the coursework, participants then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community to obtain their certification. The purpose of the volunteer requirement is to extend MSUE‚s educational programs in the areas of horticulture, gardening and small-scale food production.

In order to become a certified Michigan Master Gardener, a participant must complete all scheduled classes, pass a take home open book final examination, and complete 40 hours of approved horticulture-related volunteer community service. Fifteen volunteer hours and FIVE education hours yearly maintains active status.

For more information or a registration brochure, contact the MSU Extension office at 786-3032, or 2840 College Avenue, Escanaba, MI 49829.

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YARD AND GARDEN GUIDE — Q. I planted rhododendrons last spring. Do they need any special care to help them get through the winter in good shape?

A. The first step in preparing them for winter is to keep watering until the soil freezes. Make sure to soak the soil to a depth of about 2 feet. After the last watering, apply a thick layer of mulch to protect shallow roots against alternate freezing and thawing and prevent the soil from deep freezing. Bark or wood chips, oak leaves and pine needles are good mulch materials.

These steps are important because rhododendrons lose moisture from their foliage all winter, especially on windy or warm, sunny days. Sending them into winter well watered and keeping the soil from freezing will enable the roots to keep taking up moisture to replace what is lost. Spraying the foliage with an antidesiccant and making a windbreak (burlap fastened to three or four stakes around the plant works fine) help prevent water loss, especially on sunny, windy days. Plastic is not recommended for a windbreak because it cuts off needed air circulation and can cause plants to overheat on sunny days.