Want to become a Master Gardener?

Each year staff members of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) conduct a training program for residents of Arlington County and the City of Alexandria who want to become Master Gardeners. Developed by Virginia Tech horticultural specialists and taught by expert instructors in their fields, the program provides more than 60 hours of classroom instruction on topics ranging from basic botany to landscape design and water quality. Its major focus is on practical gardening and landscaping techniques that preserve and protect the environment.

After completing the classroom training, participants must perform 60 hours of volunteer work in approved educationally oriented activities to become certified as VCE Master Gardeners by Virginia Tech. Interns have up to a year to complete their volunteer service requirements. Thereafter they must perform a minimum of 20 hours of volunteer work and attend 8 hours of in-service training annually to maintain their certification.

The training program consists of 23 classes, held twice a week beginning in mid-January and continuing through March. Fees, times, and dates of classes change from year to year. Approximately every third year the class is held in the evenings. Fees cover the cost of study materials and instructor fees. Partial scholarships are available.

If you love gardening and want to learn how to protect the environment and to share what you learn with others, then this course is for you! The VCE Master Gardener program in Arlington and Alexandria is affiliated with a state and national network of Master Gardeners, which provide a vast array of opportunities to learn and grow as gardeners and as volunteers.

Call the Extension Master Gardener Help Desk at 703-228-6414 to be notified when more information about the next training program is available. Also, check the VCE website to view the current Training Class Brochure and Training Class Application.