The Monmouth County Master Gardener Program is accepting applications for 2009; the deadline to apply is Jan. 1.

Classroom sessions will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings, February through May at the Monmouth County Agriculture Building, 400 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Topics covered include plant biology, propagation, soil science, and disease and pest control. Following classes, master gardener trainees are required to give 60 hours of hands-on volunteer time in horticultural projects and answering calls on the county's "horticulture helpline." Successful graduates of the training become certified master gardeners. The fee is $250 to cover material and program costs.

For an application, visit www.visitmonmouth. com. For more information, call Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service at 732-431-7260.