1.03 Become a Master Gardener

The Vancouver Master Gardeners welcome enthusiastic gardeners with a willingness to share their interest and experience with the public. To become a Vancouver Master Gardener you must take our Master Gardener Basic Training Program. This Program is divided into two components: Classroom (Theory) and Master Gardener in Training (Volunteer Service).

Classroom – Theory

This portion of Basic Training has an intensive curriculum combining reading, classroom instruction by local experts, assignments and in-class workshops. The classroom training provides an overview of environmentally responsible gardening practices. You will receive up-to-date, relevant information covering gardening basics including:

• botany & scientific names
• soils, compost, water quality & lawns
• herbaceous ornamentals
• pruning & propagation
• woody landscape plants, trees & shrubs, roses , vines, houseplants
• fruit trees, berries & vegetables
• site specific planting
• basic entomology, IPM & weed management
• plant diseases & their diagnosis
• plant identification
• the course finishes with a mock clinic to prepare students for volunteering.

Students must do their homework, complete their assignments and pass a final exam before proceeding on to the second component of the training.

Master Gardener in Training – Volunteer Service

Students’ volunteer hours are completed over a two year period. Hours can be completed in a variety of ways including providing gardening advice to the public at nurseries and garden centres, and participating in community projects, plant information hotlines, and writers’ and speakers’ groups.

Successful completion of the Program requires completion of all homework assignments, a minimum of 85% on the open book final exam and the fulfillment of 70 approved volunteer hours within the 18 month time period following the course.

Once students have successfully completed both the Classroom and the Volunteer Service components of the Program, they will earn their Master Gardener Certificate.

After the Training

Master Gardeners remain active in the program by completing at least 15 hours of volunteer service each year, plus 5 hours of continuing gardening education. Continuing education hours can be accumulated by attending the speaker portion of Chapter meetings, field trips, the MGABC sponsored Spring Seminar, an Advanced MG Training Program, or other approved workshops and horticultural courses.

Contact Us for More Information

The 2012 Vancouver Master Gardener Basic Training Program began January 10, 2012 and is fully subscribed. 

Our first Information Session for the 2013 Basic Training Program will be May 1st at 7:30.  The 2013 Course will start January 8th

Please send us an email  for more information if you are interested in the 2013 program.

The pictures on this page show just a few of the 2012 students with their assignments,,,