STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Home gardeners and landscape professionals are invited to the first Mississippi Smart Landscape Symposium at Mississippi State University to learn how to design and manage low-maintenance landscapes.

This full-day training course will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Bost Extension auditorium at MSU. The event is hosted by the MSU Extension Service.

Seven MSU faculty experts will present on a variety of topics, including landscape design techniques, attracting backyard wildlife, improving soils, planting for biodiversity and integrated pest management.

“The most frequent question that we receive from homeowners is how they can create a beautiful landscape that is also affordable, low-maintenance and environmentally friendly,” said Bob Brzuszek, an MSU Extension Service professor of landscape architecture and event organizer. “The MSU Extension Smart Landscapes workshop and website serves to provide answers.”

Registration for the symposium is open until Jan. 15, and the fee is $40. Register online at http://lalc.msstate.edu or contact Doris Smith at 662-325-3012 or dms241@msstate.edu. Find more information on Mississippi Smart Landscapes from MSU Extension at https://extension.msstate.edu/lawn-and-garden/landscape-architecture/smart-landscapes.