How to Become a Master Gardener

Do your friends and neighbors come to you for help with their garden plans and problems? Do you visit botanical gardens every time you travel? Can you spout off the Latin names of plants without thinking? Then you might be the perfect candidate for becoming a Baltimore County Master Gardener. 

Mission

The stated mission of the Master Gardener program, according to University of Maryland Extension, is to educate residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.

Where and When

Baltimore County has a Master Gardener program at the new Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park on Shawan and Cuba roads in Cockeysville. The program runs every Friday from Sept. 9 to Nov. 11, said Katie Dott, the resident Master Gardener Program Assistant. If you are interested in submitting an application, you can email infobcmj@yahoo.com.

What

The program includes 10 weeks of instruction and training on topics, such as soils and fertilizers, weed identification, plant diseases, vegetable gardening, composting, pruning and propagation. At the conclusion of the classes, students take an open-book summary test. At that time, students become intern Master Gardeners and are required to put in 40 hours of volunteer work with the community to become a certified Master Gardener.

To keep their certification, Master Gardeners are required to put in 20 hours of volunteer work and an additional 10 hours of approved continuing education every year after that.

How Much?

The fee is a non-refundable $250, which includes a Master Gardener training manual, supplemental references and supplies.