One of the many Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) programs that is closest to my heart is the Alabama Master Gardener Program.
As someone who took the training and became a Master Gardener, I can attest to the joy of learning research-based reasons behind some of my family’s gardening practices. I also learned ways to correct missteps made when planting vegetables in our back yard.
Registration for the Spring 2026 Master Gardener Class begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 12. Early registration for the 14-week training course is available at $150 if one is registered between Nov. 1-15. Training fees include receiving a Master Gardener handbook/study guide, plant samples, lunches and it covers field trip fees.
Currently, Master Gardener classes are taught at the Cooperative Extension System offices in Montgomery, Elmore and Autauga counties. Horticulture Extension Agent, Mallory Kelley leads the program, and she said each class is based on research about a variety of topics.
“The classes can seem like drinking water out of a fire hydrant as we are sharing in 1-2 hours a condensed semester of information you would get in a college course,” Kelley said.
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