If you’re a gardener, but want to take it to the next level by learning more, the Hays County Master Gardener Association might be of interest to you. This fall, from September to November, HCMGA has a lot to offer, just in time for the fall planting season.

“They think we are a garden club, but we are a voluntary organization. We have requirements every year, and we can’t stay certified if we don’t meet them … And every county in the state of Texas has one. Each state in the union has an association of master gardeners and they are all affiliated with a land grant university, ”said Marilyn Love of the Master Gardeners of Hays County. In Texas, the land grant university is Texas A&M, and the volunteer master gardeners are affiliated with and support the Texas A&M Agrilife. “We are more horticultural than agricultural,” she said.

Even though they are all volunteers, there is 50 hours of training required, working on projects to be certified. The projects are spread throughout the department.

“We have a demonstration garden and greenhouse at Jacobs Well Elementary in Wimberley that needs to be taken care of. We have a demonstration garden at the Wimberley Playhouse. We have a demonstration garden in the Precinct 4 building in Dripping Springs and another at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. No part of Hays County is left behind.

“We have one in San Marcos at Discovery Center, and then we have one at Hays Caldwell Women’s Center because we’ve been volunteering there for many, many years,” she said. There are more projects in the county.

August 20 is the deadline to register for classes that take place across the county and through Zoom. With 50 hours of training and literally “in the field” work, you become a master gardener.

Here are some of the classes that will take place this fall on Wednesday and Friday mornings until early afternoon with a lunch break:

• Basic beekeeping,

• Size and propagation of roses,

• Soil health,

• Landscaping with the natives,

• Integrated pest control,

• Rainwater harvesting,

• Planting of perennials,

• Growing grapes and other fruits,

• Growing succulents,… And more.

Their big annual HCMGA plant sale will take place October 3-13, 2021 with more details to come.

To help you become a certified master gardener, the cost is $ 250 for the courses. The revamped website is now live for more details, txmg. org / hays or by phone to the Hays County Extension Office at 512-393-2120.