The Okanagan (formerly Summerland) Master Gardeners Chapter was formed in 2004. They provide horticultural advice to the gardening public in the Southern Interior, from Osoyoos to Enderby.

What do Okanagan Master Gardeners do?

Master Gardeners are volunteers who:
> hold information clinics for the gardening public at local nurseries and garden centres during the growing season.
> make presentations on gardening issues to garden clubs and similar organizations
> write garden advice columns for newspapers and newsletters in the Southern Interior region
> are involved in horticultural therapy activities at extended care facilities and hospices
> can be found at garden tours, Communities in Bloom judging, and other gardening events.

How can I find out more about the Master Gardeners program?

Many gardening enthusiasts have taken the Master Gardener Basic Training program to improve their knowledge of botany, soil health, diagnosis of plant problems, propagation and pruning techniques, vegetable gardening, and the principles of xeriscaping, which is a “natural” for the Southern Interior garden.

The objective of the Master Gardeners is to educate the gardening public on environmentally responsible gardening practices. To this end, they are trained to use least-toxic pesticides—for when a chemical appears to be the only solution to a problem—and they advocate the principles of “right plant, right place”, which is what is required to have a balanced and healthy garden.

The Basic Training Program for the Okanagan Master Gardeners is currently being held in Kelowna. For information on course content and contact information, please select Basic Training from the left menu.