Lake Tahoe residents can learn to become master gardeners

The UC Cooperative Extension – Central Sierra in partnership with the Tahoe Resource Conservation District is offering the inaugural Lake Tahoe Master Gardener volunteer training beginning in September in South Lake Tahoe.

Upon completion of the 50-hour training course, certified Lake Tahoe Master Gardeners will provide the community with research-based information about home horticulture and gardening.

The training will consist of core programs in horticulture, native plants, soils, irrigation, pest management, plant nutrition, diseases, forest health, wildfire defensible space considerations plus additional topics specific to the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Once certified, Master Gardeners volunteer 50 hours during their first year of service and 25 hours in subsequent years. Volunteer activities include providing one-on-one consultations, answering questions from phone and email hotlines, offering workshops and classes, writing articles in the local paper or online media, as well as many other outreach and educational opportunities.

If you reside in the Lake Tahoe Basin and are interested in becoming a Master Gardener, go online gardener info or call (530) 621.5528 for more information. Applications for the fall training sessions are due Aug. 7.