How to Become a Master Gardener

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (7 Ratings)

Do you say "echinacea purpurea" instead of "purple coneflower," or "nicotiana" instead of "flowering tobacco"? Do you know the best methods for ridding a garden of Colorado potato beetles or aphids? If you're a master gardener at heart, find out about a program near you.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Garden Hand Tools
Gardening Gloves
Gardening Magazines

Step1

Locate a master gardener program near you and submit an application. These programs are usually offered by county extension agents, colleges and universities.

Step2

Check out the program to determine whether you can commit to the time involved. Most programs require 40 to 60 hours of basic classroom training, plus mandatory "volunteer" requirements.

Step3

Free up approximately 10 to 12 weeks in January, February and March. Most master gardener programs begin during these months.

Step4

Be prepared to delve into subjects like plant diseases, botany and turf, soils and weeds, plant insects, and fertilizers and chemicals, to name a few.

Step5

Pay special attention to the fees involved in the master gardener program you choose. Fees vary widely, from approximately $65 to almost $400, depending on the program and whether the books are included or not.

Step6

Reflect on past horticulture, agriculture, earth science and biology classes for help in this program.

Step7

Look forward to becoming a local expert in the gardening field. You may be called on by schools, newspapers or even TV stations for expert opinions from time to time.

Tips & Warnings

Be certain you are comfortable with the ongoing volunteer requirements involved. You may find yourself judging science fairs, answering telephones and diagnosing houseplants.
Don't take this on lightly. Achieving master gardener status will take copious amounts of hard work, study and volunteering time.