If you are in Jackson and Swain counties, it’s time to sign up for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service’s Master Gardener program.

Applications are required no later than Thursday Jan. 26. Classes will be held at the Swain Extension Center every Thursday morning for three months from 8:30 a.m. until noon, tentatively set to begin Feb. 2.  

The course fee is $95, which includes a manual and weekly handouts.

Class participants receive 40 hours of training in subjects including: bulbs, vegetables, fruits, herbs, berries, pruning, grafting, native plants, organic gardening and disease.

The deal with the state is that participants return a like number of hours in volunteer service.

828.586.4009 or 828.488.3848.