Madison Park

Extension master gardeners in Mecklenburg County are offering free gardening classes once a month this fall and winter. The first class is “How to Get the Lawn Your Neighbors Will Envy,” at 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road. The class will cover maintenance, smart watering and fertilizing. Preregistration required. To preregister, go to www.parkandrec.com, click on Eparks and type in Barcode 1674, or call 311. For information on this or the other classes in the series, go to www.parkandrec.com or call 311.

• How to Get the Lawn Your Neighbors Will Envy:  September 24, 2009 Thursday, 7 p.m. at Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Rd. Learn more about regular maintenance, smart watering and how much fertilizer healthy lawns really need. Once your lawn is healthy, you’ll have a lot more ‘hammock-time’ to watch your neighbors laboring in their yards! Presented by Phyllis Ferguson, Mecklenburg County Extension Master Gardener. Course Barcode #1674
• Designing Outdoor Spaces that Work: October 13, 2009 Tuesday, 7 p.m. at Tom Sykes Recreation Center, 1501 Euclid Ave. Understand different garden styles and use of focal points. Learn how to blend color, texture and form in your outdoor living spaces. You will find that it’s easy to create outdoor ‘rooms’ that serve different functions or suit different moods. Presented by Pam Crown, Mecklenburg County Extension Master Gardener.  Course Barcode #1623
• Backyard Composting:  November 14, 2009 Saturday, 12p.m. at Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky Rover Rd. Learn how recycling your kitchen garbage and lawn waste can save you money and why ‘grass-cycling’ is good for your lawn. See how a well-made compost pile can provide rich, wonderful ‘black gold’ for your yard and garden. Presented by Mary Stauble, Extension Master Gardener, Master Composter and PLANT (Piedmont Landscape and Naturescape Training) instructor for Mecklenburg County. Course Barcode #1676
• Pruning Primer:  January 21, 2010 Thursday, 7p.m. at William R. Davie Park, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Rd. Learn the basics of pruning your landscape shrubs and small trees – what and where to cut, as well as how and when to do it. Also, review the proper use and care of pruning tools, and the importance of planting the right plant in the right place. Presented by Scott Ewers, Mecklenburg County Horticulture Extension Agent. Course Barcode #1655
• Plants that Keep on Giving:  February 25, 2010 Thursday, 7p.m. at Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road. Evergreen, annual or perennial? Do you know the difference? Do you know when to choose one over the other? Come get enlightened! Learn more about perennials, and what kind of growing conditions are required. Presented by Donna Adams, Mecklenburg County Extension Master Gardener.  Course Barcode #1686

The Extension Master Gardeners are part of the NC Cooperative Extension Service which operates in Mecklenburg County as part of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.