MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Home gardeners have an opportunity to learn a variety of gardening and landscaping lessons at monthly seminars offered by the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona.

Crofton Sloan, a research horticulturist with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said these sessions focus on topics like rose pruning, soil management, composting, growing herbs and basic landscape design. Gardeners from Tupelo, Columbus, Pontotoc, Corinth, Amory and Aberdeen have made the trip to Verona for the hands-on seminars that run from February to October.

"We are bringing the classroom to Verona with this series of seminars that could be called 'Yard Care 101.' The information we provide is suitable for 'freshman' gardeners, as well as the more experienced gardeners," Sloan said. "The information is delivered in a casual, relaxed atmosphere where no question is considered dumb."

Participants are encouraged to bring their gardening gloves for hands-on activities. Seminars are held at 1:30 p.m. Upcoming topics include "Perennial Field Day" July 26, "Growing Herbs" Aug. 30, the North Mississippi Garden Expo Sept. 17, and "Trees for the Landscape" Oct. 25. Mississippi State University horticulture specialists conduct the sessions.

For more information on these monthly gardening seminars, contact Sloan at (662) 566-2201 or by e-mail at rcsloan@ra.msstate.edu.