How to Become a Texas Master Gardener
Learn Gardening and Serve a Community as a Horticulture Expert
Sep 11, 2009
The beauty that Master Gardeners bring to their communities benefits everyone. Through projects and education, Master Gardeners share their knowledge and love of nature. Anyone in Texas who wants to learn and contribute through gardening is eligible for training by their county agricultural extension office.
The Texas Master Gardener program began in 1978 and now serves 88 counties in Texas according to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas Master Gardener 2008 Annual Report.
Texas Master Gardeners are certified using the State Master Gardener Guidelines. Initial certification requires a minimum of 50 hours of classroom training, successfully passing an examination, and at least 50 hours of supervised volunteer work. Some counties, for example Denton County in North Texas, require 70 hours of instruction and 70 volunteer hours. Each county extension office sets up the training and requirements for that county.
In addition to initial requirements, each Master Gardener completes a minimum number of training and volunteer hours per year to maintain their certification. Master Gardeners have access to the resources of Texas A&M Horticultural adult education information on the latest findings and recommendations, newsletters, publications, fact sheets and many local training activities.
What Does a Master Gardener Learn
The classes offered by each county extension office may vary slightly. However at the end of the training each attendee will have been offered educational materials sufficient to pass the mandatory examination. Topics typically covered include:
- Fruit, nut, vegetable and herb gardening
- Plant pathology
- Lawn care
- Ornamental trees and shrubs
- Insects, disease, and pest management
- Weed control
- Soils and plant nutrition
- Propagation
- Garden flowers
- Water conservation
Depending on location, trainees may also have field trips to local Master Gardener projects, botanical gardens, or special horticultural education programs. Each trainee will also receive a copy of The Texas Master Gardener Handbook.
Volunteer Projects for Texas Master Gardeners
There are 100s of projects sponsored by country Master Gardener’s Associations. Some projects focus on education and others on active gardening. According to the Master Gardener’s 2008 Annual Report, “volunteers answered 72,519 phone calls that come in to the county office, helped establish and maintain 208 youth gardens, 339 demonstration gardens, and provide a local resource on 50 county websites.”
Master Gardeners gave over 2000 presentations to schools and community groups in 2008. They worked with Habitat for Humanity to add gardens and landscape to homes being constructed by Habitat for citizens of the State. Special programs that use the volunteer labor of Master Gardener Associations include: grassland savanna restoration, city beautification projects, creating community gardens, arboretum and botanical garden tours, and assisting county residents to identify and solve gardening questions.
Becoming a Master Gardener is personally enriching and benefits one’s community. People who love gardening will appreciate the educational opportunities they receive as Master Gardeners and members of their local Master Gardener’s Associations. And, giving back to one’s community is rewarding for givers and receivers.
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