What's a Master Gardener?

and how does one become one, aside from the obvious requirement of being very knowledgable as a gardener?

-Sevidra

http://www.ahs.org/master_gardeners/

Very cool, thank you!

A master gardener is someone who thinks they know everything about gardening but can never answer your question as they are too clever, tee he he, But honestly, they are people who are experts on the growing and production of plants, some stay with one specific type of plant, tree, bulbs, fruit etc, but most are adept at almost all plants, they normally have had rewards for there growing knowledge and are regarded as the best in their field of horticultural growing, they are normally awarded this title by there fellow gardeners, collage or university, I became very friendly with one, and he was so full of knowledge and so interesting, yet he couldn't tie a plant to a garden cane, so I guess they all come in different degrees of mastership. hope this helps you. WeeNel.

I think master gardeners are a little different over here than in the UK--here it's a specific title that's given to someone who's been through a series of training courses that cover a broad range of plant-related subjects, and then they have to volunteer a certain number of hours per year doing things like working at the county extension office. It's not something that fellow gardeners can nominate you for, and while I'm sure each individual person has some areas that they know better than others, you won't find a master gardener who only knows about bulbs, they have to have broad knowledge of a range of subjects.

Thanks Ecrane, your right as far as the qualifications are concerned, however, when I mentioned fellow gardeners, I did in fact mean fellow gardeners that are also trained to degree, they have to sit exams and fellow qualified horticulturalists nominate them for a mastership, if they have achieved the knowledge required. as for the bulbs, trees etc, we do have a lot of Master gardeners here who after qualifying in the horticultural field, then end up specialising in one field like roses, trees, bulbs etc, so I guess there are huge differences with the end result in later life. Maybe we have hit the language thing again Ecrane, different phrases for different things, but I do agree, you have probably put it better than I did, thanks for all your corrections, we are on the same wave length I think, happy gardening. Weenel.

sevidra--if you want more info, there's a Master Gardener forum here, you'll find people there who have been through the program and you can ask them about their experiences with it. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/mg/all/

WeeNel--I don't think it's really a language thing, I think the idea behind master gardeners is the same here as it is for you, just the way you go about getting the title is a little different. Here nobody needs to nominate you, anybody who wants to can sign up for the classes, and if you complete those and put in the volunteer hours then you get to be a Master Gardener. And you don't even have to know too much about plants going into the program, they'll teach you what you need to know.

I'm just completing the Master Gardener program here in Virginia next week. In the USA there are Master Gardener programs in all the states. Normally the program is connected with a land grant college, in our case it's VA Tech. The length of the program varies from state to state. Ours happens to be 66 hours of class time. We have to be willing to do 50 hours of volunteer work to maintain our certification. The class was composed of a variety of gardeners with a wide range of experience. It is probably one of the most interesting and dynamic classes I've taken in many years. We have multiple choices as far as doing volunteer works. Everything from helping in historical gardens to working with the schools, etc. Or you can submit your own project. The classes cost $135 to take. We are provided with a 4" reference binder that covers in detail all the subjects we covered. Some of the subjects include botany, pest management, landscape design, native plants, soil and soil amendments, water management. You have to take and pass 2 tests to get your cert., it's an open book test, but it sure wasn't easy. I went in thinking I knew a lot about gardening and then discovered how much more I have to learn. It's been a wonderful experience and I'm really looking forward to doing the volunteer work. If you're interested in taking the classes contact your local extension office and they can provide details.

It sounds like a lot of fun. I find myself definitely interested - even after completing the course, though, I'll probably still consider myself a beginner. :)

-Sev

i also wondered how one became a "master" gardener--very interesting--i understand wanting to do it for yourself but is there a career motive too? in other words --what jobs does it open up for you?

Well, you could certainly parley the cert into job openings with landscapers, nurseries, even the big box stores that have nurseries or landscaping products for sale.

Doccat

ubetcha

and then you can get the discounts and spend your paycheck on your garden!! at least that is what i would do!!

I have only been gardening since this summer. I thought you had to have a certain amount of experience to become a master gardener. Turns out I was wrong. They did have a list of applicants, but they chose based on a wide variety of reasons. Over 100 people applied and they picked 20 for the winter term. I was lucky enough to get picked, but I think it was because I was at the extension quite often to study natives, invasives and agressives. I have also been told in smaller towns, it is easier to get in the program. One of the main things they told me they were looking for was motivation. Many people in our area try to get in the program for the distinction alone. Not only do you have to complete the volunteer hours, but they are wanting people who will continue with their education in horticulture, teaching classes at the botanical gardens, schools, studying propagation, water management, xeriscaping, etc. I am really looking forward to starting the class in January. You should give it a try.

pupilpropogtr, Congratulations on being accepted to the program! I just got my MG Intern cert and the program was just great! I know you'll learn lots and have a good time. Please d-mail me if you have questions or need anything.

Thanks doccat5. You may regret the offer. lol. I am very excited about it. It is for three months and 40 volunteer hours. I like it because we will do most of the on hands class work at the botanical gardens. I know I will really enjoy the class.

I've been a MG for 10 years, it's a great program.
I have met a ton of nice people.

Paul

Thanks Paul. It will be nice to meet people locally with the same interest. DG is an outlet, but none of my friends garden.

What a wonderful opportunity for you, pupilpropogtr. I'm sure it will just terrfic.

I have been awarded the MG tltle and I definitely do not consider myself as knowing everything as stated. I attended biweekly classes for 12 weeks sponsored by the agriculture agency for my state. I then have to complete 40hrs of volunteer work to get my certificate.
The cost for the classes was $75.00. The learning comes by signing up for projects as they come available and depending on who is running the projects and the expertise that such individual comes with, you can then learn from working with the individual. So most of the knowlege gained is from working with gardening projects and sharing and learining.

sounds to me like paying to do volunteer work.

I'd look at it as they're not charging you as much as they could for the classes, and in exchange you're volunteering to share your knowledge. I'm sure if they didn't get the volunteer hours, they'd either not be able to offer the classes at all, or they'd have to charge more for them. And some people also use the master gardener title to help further their non-volunteer career options too, so I think you can get your money's worth.

ecrane3, you are right!
Some people do use the MG title to get ahead and we were told in the class that the MG title is not to be used for such advantage since we are taught basic gardening concepts. I will say I attended the MG course but you won't hear me say that I am a MG.
Volunteering can be real fun depending on the projects. We work along side the garden/landscape experts to put on the State Fair and that was a good learning experience. I landscaped the front of my church, which was newly built, to get my 40hrs and I did organic gardening at the zoo, which was primarily weeding, others worked at the State cemetry. You can do just about anything as long as it is not your own to get your 40hrs.
Yes, it is all about giving up your time to do what you like -gardening!!

I am a Master Gardener Intern until I complete my 50 hours of volunteer work. I've had to wait a very long time to get this opportunity and I'm thrilled to be able to learn and share information with others. Just a matter of your world view I guess.

doccat5, you said exactly what I am saying. It is a learning experience and you can share your ideas, but it is not a bragging tool to be used as a i.e. job reference .

velmansia, very true, but we both know, it takes all kinds........and some of them are not as nice as we are.............LOL

.........lol

I am also going for my Master Gardener certificate. Here it costs $250. Not only do I have to fill out an application, there is an in depth person to person interview that I have to pass. Then it is on to classes and 50 hours of volunteer work.
Wish me luck all :o)

Good luck.!!
That is a heafty fee compare to my $75.00. I had no interviews for the class. Our class is done yearly and average about 150 per class.
The program seems to vary greatly from State to State

Velmansia and doccet, I couldn't agree more. I want to take it to learn and give back. There is a strong focus on invasives (egads, Kudzu) and natives, something I am very much in to as my new yard is covered with invasives and aggressives. I want to be able to educate new gardeners, like me, so they will not hurt the south any more than it already has been. I want to go to schools and teach children about gardening, because sadly it is becoming a lost art I think. I don't look at it for monetary gain, but knowledge and understanding.

Distant, good luck girlfriend. You know I am rooting for you.

distantkin, good luck to you. We too had to fill out an application and I had already chatted with the extension agent several time previously with gardening questions. Evidently, I'm more er, "memorable" than I realized. He remember's me as the "organic lady". Not that I'm rabid about it or anything, (much! LOL) "Please let me explain to you in detail as to what you may do with your pesticides and other nuclear materials" evil grin...........Just joking he is a sweetie, very helpful and great about sharing information. Our classes were $135.00. Most of which went for a huge reference text and other materials. It would not have mattered to me, truely. I've waited almost 20 years to take this class. My next questions was do you take local checks or do you want plastic? It was worth every penny and every moment spent!

This message was edited Nov 26, 2007 10:05 PM

:o) I hope mine is that way...I am very nervous about the interview. Seems only 2 people are allowed in UGH!!! Wish we had 175 or even 50 for that matter-LOL

Boy, it sure is different over here in UK, to get your Master Certs here you have to do about four years which includes Biology, Garden Design, Arboretum, plant species etc, etc, then you have to work either in parks or botanical gardens, do exams at the end and then a team of qualified experts have to decide if your able to qualify for your mastership, students come from all corners of the world to do these courses and are usually sponsored by either a company or there government, so there really is a huge difference, so good luck to all you lucky students, I just know you are going to love it. I am not surprised over your way they dont want you to use your certs for you own end, all the students here can go forth and earn a living either designing gardens or branch out into their chosen field of horticulture, be it trees, general gardening or as growers themselves, some go into teaching or over seas to educate on farming, fruit etc. but I think any form of education is a great thing and if you have that local, then you are really very lucky indeed, so best wishes to you all who want to learn more about the horticultural field. WeeNel.

This is not a Masters degree, this is a certificate or title, if you will, of Master Gardener. If you were to get a Masters degree that would be 8 years at University and you would be a Botanist or a Masters in Horticulture. This is more of a community title than a degree.

WeeNel, your's sounds more like our college courses for a degree in horticulture, etc. Most of us are gardeners with practical experience. Our class was a cross section of both neophytes and highly experienced gardeners, include one horticultural grad who was auditing the class for addtionial credits. It was extremely interesting and exciting to be able to tap into that kind of information.

I'm agreeing with all of you guys, I was even saying how lucky you are to have such courses to be able to attend and gain such knowledge, so can I say good luck to all those lucky people once again, I am envious as we dont have these courses anywhere near here, maybe in somewhere like London England UK, but cant say I have seen or heard of anything up in Scotland. Best wishes to all. WeeNel.

I lived in Dunoon, Scotland for some time and the gardens there were wonderful....that was my first taste of gardening and I have been trying to make my yard like the fairy Glen ever since...sad thing is Ivy doesn't grow well here and I don't have the water falls!! Thanks for the well wishes WeeNel :o)...isn't it way past your bedtime if you are in the UK :o) (pssst can ya send me a chippy???)

Oh sorry, the chippy is now closed, I look over the water to Dunoon from my home, from my side, the view is just so wonderful and at times quite breathtaking, I live on top of the hills and have just the Clyde water for view and all the islands, but I love it, we have had a really bad summer here this year and my garden is now mud, fallen leaves that we try to lift each day, but I also have a large greenhouse and husband rigged me up a heater so some things in winter are good. yes it is way past bedtime here, come winter time, I seem to turn into a night hawk and cant sleep as well as summer, probably because I cant get out into the garden now, I also have damaged my back and laying in bed ain't helping one bit, old age dont come without a price eh. I can only assume you were living at the navel base on Dunnon, since that closed, the island had went into ghost town, really sad, there is so many properties for sale, you can practically get a mansion for the cost of a large garden shed, the Island needs some tourists to help the economy I here, so get yourself back over for your own chippy, salt and vinegar please, OOOOOOOH now I'm hungry just thinking about it. Sorry about your Ivy, I have to keep ripping it out from my garden or it soon takes over, especially in the woods where it gets shade, I need to send you some of the good old Scottish stuff. best wishes. WeeNel.

Wish I could afford to come for a visit WeeNel have always wanted to see the UK. Unless I hit the lottery, (LOL) don't look I'm going to make it.

WeeNel...where are you from??? I thought you were in London for some reason (and if you are a true Scot-I am so sorry I thought that-LOL)
So sorry your back is out!! The damp weather must not make for faster mending either! I hope you get better soon!!
My family comes from Old Kilpatrick...you must be near Greenoch?
I so miss Dunoon, we left in 1998 right after the YES YES vote-at the time, I wouldn't let anyone in my door unless they proved to me that they voted yes-LOL

Ok-no politics-LOL

No, I am not from the Naval Base, my husband is a born and raised Dunoon boy, and his father from Glasgow. we met in Houston, TX go figure!!! We left because the economy was struggling and it was hard to get work. I would go back tomorrow to live if I could convince my husband. He is afraid the job market is still bad...it does sound like it is picking up though. DH wants to retire there so now I am starting a business of my own so it happens sooner rather than later. I miss the wonder pace that life took there. It would be a great place to raise my little ones (who are not that little anymore).
My husband's family is still there so if you run into any Hoy's say hello for me :o) and if you ever want to trade, I would love to. It would be wonderful knowing at least my flowers made it home. :o)
I would also love it if I could find someone to send me the little daisies that grown in the yard, I know they are Bellis, but I can't find the right species-I have looked and planted every bellis seed I could buy-LOL

Well I am so pleased to have met you, maybe we could meet some Cowal Games. I am certain it won't be much longer before we come home again!
~Robbi