The Mississippi State University Extension Service and University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture are offering a two-day short course on basic landscape design in February.

The course will be Feb. 18-19 at the Desoto County Board of Education Building, 5 E. South St. in Hernando.

Topics will include planting, pruning and fertilizing; disease and insect problems; landscape and pesticide calculations; weed control; pesticide safety; and tree and shrub identification.

Speakers are Dr. Mengmeng Gu of MSU and James Robbins of the UA.

Registration before Feb. 10 is $80 for one day or $120 for both days, and includes lunch, breaks and handouts. Otherwise, the fee is $100 for one day or $150 for both days.

Recertification for Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee will be available.

To register, contact Gu at 662-325-1682 or mgu@pss.msstate.edu, or visit msucares.com/crops/comhort/green/2010shortcourse.pdf.