About Us

The 50-hour (minimum) required training program provides research-based information on a variety of horticultural and environmental topics. Training sessions are offered as often as annually. Pre-registration is required. Contact us for more information.

Extension Master Gardener training involves a variety of topics, including:

• Botany

• Soils & fertilizer

• Entomology (insects)

• Propagation

• Vegetables

• Fruits

• Turf

• Woody plants

• Herbaceous plants

• Water quality

• Pruning

• Plant pathology (diseases)

• Plant damage (diagnosis)

• Pesticides

• Landscape design

By completing the classroom instruction, you become a Master Gardener Intern. The title of VCE Master Gardener is granted after you complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer service conducting horticultural education projects.

To complete annual recertification, you must:

• Contribute at least 20 hours of volunteer service each year.

• Participate in at least 8 hours of continuing education.

*This information was taken from the Virginia Cooperative Extension website.