A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Gardener's Chat Master Gardeners

I found out that my local Cooperative Extension office will be giving out Master Gardener application forms.Should I become a Master Gardener?Anybody have any info about Master Gardeners?

I know a few people who took the MG classes (in the US) and they said it was a waste of money and time. One of them said they've been doing things that the MGs would frown upon. Personally, I'd say go for it, it never hurts to have a certificate. I don't think they have MG courses here, but I'd go for sure if they did. I personally think gardening is one of those things that you need actual hands on experence for, and it's one of those things to you can't really do in a class room, except for the theory and science.

I've never even heard of a MG class...what do they teach? I think I'd call first and ask what all they teach, like Kenny says may be a waste of time. Here the only class the ext office offers is a chemical class and it's free, they teach you about putting out chemicals and anyone planning on useing chemicals has to go to get thier licenes.

ask like what all will the call cover

Emed, to become a master gardener you are required to take several hours of classes for a year or more I think. then yearly you have to donate so much time to community gardening work. and go to seminars a few times a year. the purpose is to learn enough to be well, a 'master' at it, then in turn go out and teach the community so more people can be successful....greener earth, ect. and yes, they are VERY organic in their teaching so they do frown on chemicals and such. I considered it once but then found out there is no pay in it. well, unless I guess it helps you get a job at a nursery or parks and wildlife or something..??? IDK?

I always think that any type of school one takwes cannot be bad. it will not hurt you and it may help you. if you are doing this jsut for you then you can take away from it what you consider good and leave behind what you consider not good for you and your situation. DEFINATELY GO FOR IT.

I had wanted to do this too, but when I found out how much time is required to do community service it turned me off. I'm all for helping others, but there would not be any time left for me to garden in my own gardens. And I've also spoken with a number of people here who took the course and most of them don't know any more about certain plants than I do - I've asked questions about plants that are new to me and the answer is usually that they don't know...

But again... as Carol has said - any learning is a good thing, so that's the other side of the coin.

I volunteer at the community garden here from time to time. one of the ladies there is a master gardener. I've been invited to go with her as a guest to a couple of the seminars. I couldn't go because I wouldn't have been back in time to be here when the kids got off the bus. but, one class was an all day class about blue birds and the other was an all day class about a specific type of butterfly. to me, one hour on blue birds would be all the info I'd want to learn about them and the same with one specific butterfly. I'm not trying to discourage you, just sharing what I know about it. on the plus side, I've started seed for the garden a couple of times. I plant some here and give some to them. their plants always WAY outperform mine! And, I've never gone up there without learning something.

Lynne, I agree. I have thought about this a time or 2 but it does require a lot of community service so you have to be available for the classes then available for the community service too.

On the up side Emed you can get a job at the County Extension Service or Lowes or places like that which would be fun.

If I didn't work full time I'd do it.

i plan on doing it when i retire. the volunteer work is a turn off, except, if you have to volunteer for your school, as many high schools require now, then you could get a "two-for" in that you have the opportunity to volunteer in something you like. also, you can use any pertinent volunteer work on your resume when you are applying for jobs, and/or college. colleges like students who care about others. on a final note, we have several master gardener's on here, and they get a nifty bar, like my hostess bar. no super hostess powers though, they are special and reserved for just hostesses and master gnomes :wink:

I have to do community service for school and I'm looking for a job.I guess I'll give it a shot.