Becoming a Master Gardener

HOW TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER

Select the Master Gardener for your county from the menu on the left to get more information on applying to their training program.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MASTER GARDENER?

Contribute to your community -- every year Master Gardeners contribute several thousand hours of volunteer service.
Enjoy working together with a great group of gardening enthusiasts.
Gain excellent knowledge about the life of the garden.
Put what you know into practice for the benefit of others and for our environment.

WHAT TRAINING IS PROVIDED TO THE MASTER GARDENER?

Master Gardeners are given an intensive 4 month, 60+ hour training program in horticulture. Instruction provides practical courses in;

plant science and horticulture
soil and water management
pest identification and management
plant selection and care
environmentally-sound garden practices.

Classes meet weekly, with outside study and training activities in addition to class time. A final examination reviews course materials and prepares the trainee to begin the internship year.

WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS?

Experts in their fields
University of California faculty and staff
Landscape and nursery professionals
Knowledgeable local horticulture educators

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE BECOME MASTER GARDENERS?

Any County resident with an interest in horticulture and public service may apply for the Master Gardener program in their county. Master Gardeners are of all ages and from all walks of life. Some are new to the county, others have lived (and gardened) here for many, many years. They include;

professionals
educators
business people
retirees
homemakers
students

All come with some experience and knowledge of plants and gardening. Master Gardeners must be enthusiastic, willing to learn and help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people.

Training in your community

Training classes to become a Master Gardener are taught in different counties each year throughout the Central Sierra region. Trainees may attend the classes in a different county than their home county. Classes for the four counties are tentatively scheduled as follows:

Amador: 2013 (Amador residents can attend the 2014 training in El Dorado County)
Calaveras: 2013 (Tuolumne residents can attend the 2013 training) - Application Process is closed.
El Dorado: 2014 (El Dorado residents can attend the 2013 training in Amador County)
Lake Tahoe Basin TBD
Tuolumne: 2014 (Calaveras residents can attend the 2014 training)

HOW CAN I RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEXT MASTER GARDENER TRAINING IN MY COUNTY?

Please go to our Master Gardener Training Interest form and enter your contact information. We will contact you when the application process begins for the next training in your county.