Gardening is a journey, and there are many possible routes to take. Some of us are happiest with a few container plants on a patio or in an indoor garden, some of us run large veggie patches, and some of us have elaborate flower beds or other landscaping. Some of us get degrees in agriculture or horticulture and go pro. Today we’ll focus on one possible path on our gardening journeys: becoming a Master Gardener. You’ve likely heard of or encountered Master Gardeners at cooperative extension events, farmer’s markets or in community gardens. But what’s Master Gardener exactly—and what are the benefits of becoming one? Let’s dig in and learn more about becoming a master gardener and how it can shape your journey in gardening!
What is a Master Gardener?
Master Gardeners are folks who have been certified through the cooperative extension system as part of a nationwide program to train volunteers who then help spread gardening knowledge and skills in their communities. Master Gardeners—sometimes called Extension Master Gardeners or EMGs—receive between 40 and 60 hours of training classes. These classes provide information and experience on a variety of topics including botany, vegetable and houseplant care, composting, horticulture, wildlife and native plant management, and soil amendments and fertilizer. Classes may be taught by other volunteers or area experts depending on the individual program in question.
In addition to classes, aspiring Master Gardeners generally have to fulfill a volunteer requirement, putting in a set number of hours working with a community garden or gardener education program. This requirement is in place because the reason for becoming a Master Gardener is to volunteer and work with the community in any of a variety of capacities in order to help promote gardening, landscaping, and plant care knowledge. This can entail teaching classes or seminars, answering questions from community gardeners, handing out information at a farmer’s market or other community event, or helping with community gardening or landscaping projects. It’s rich, rewarding work that helps spread the joy of gardening and plant care!
How Do I Become a Master Gardener?
If you’re interested in becoming a Master Gardener, the first step is generally contacting your local cooperative extension office and finding out what their process looks like. Master Gardeners are supported by nationwide programs, as we’ve said, but the exact steps involved may vary a bit from place to place. Generally your local cooperative extension office will provide you with an application to fill out and if you’re accepted they’ll let you know the class and volunteer schedule. Some classes are in person, some may be online, and some may involve a fair amount of outside reading and study. Once you complete the course requirements, you’ll likely move on to the volunteer component which will generally involve putting in around 150 hours of volunteering to complete your Master Gardener certification, and an additional 50 volunteer hours a year thereafter to maintain it.
What Are The Benefits of Becoming a Master Gardner?
This is a big question, and the answer is generally personal. However, we can tell you that many Master Gardeners enjoy the learning and training opportunities that this kind of volunteering offers. You’ll have the chance to meet experienced gardeners and experts who want to share their knowledge and skills, and then in turn you can pass those on to others. Some folks really enjoy the community aspect via volunteering and meeting others who share their love of gardening. On a related note, for many of us it’s a way to give back to the community and help share something we love and thereby make life a little brighter. Most Master Gardeners enjoy a combination of these, along with their own personal reasons. It all depends on you and to a great degree being a Master Gardener is what you make of it.
We hope this blog helps you understand what Master Gardeners are and what they do in their communities. If you start that journey, please let us know how it goes either in the comments or via email. Gardzen is all about community and we love to hear from you!
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