Calling all gardeners! Now is the time to apply for the 2009 Master Gardener program, offered through Washington State University’s King County Extension.

The program, founded in 1972, trains volunteers in horticulture basics to become a resource for the public through clinics, classes and demonstration gardens they help run throughout the county.

The 2009 training program will begin next January in Seattle. The training sessions provide an overview of the basics — plant and insect identification, lawncare, soil and pruning. The result is “across-the-board general knowledge” rather than any specialized expertise, according to program coordinator Elaine Anderson.

“You’re not going to leave knowing all the answers. You’re going to leave knowing where to find the answers,” Anderson said.

After the 12-week training, participants must complete a two-year internship before they can be considered veteran Master Gardeners. Interns have to give 90 hours of volunteer time in their two years. After that, the requirement is 25 hours a year and 10 hours of continuing education to maintain the Master Gardener certification.