The Master Gardener Basic Training Program has an intensive curriculum combining reading, classroom instruction by local experts, assignments and in-class workshops. The primary text is the Washington/Oregon Master Gardener Handbook.

You will receive up-to-date, relevant information covering gardening basics including:

• botany & scientific names
• soils, compost, water quality & lawns
• herbaceous ornamentals
• pruning & propagation
• woody landscape plants, trees & shrubs, roses , vines, houseplants
• fruit trees, berries & vegetables
• site specific planting
• basic entomology, IPM & weed management
• plant diseases & their diagnosis
• plant identification

The course finishes with a mock clinic to prepare students for volunteering.

Successful completion of the Program requires completion of all homework assignments, a minimum of 85% on the open book final exam and the fulfillment of 70 approved volunteer hours within the 18 month time period following the course.

The Vancouver 2010 Basic Training Program classes run for 12 weeks beginning Tuesday, January 5th every Tuesday from 9:00am to 3:30pm except Feb 16th and 23rd. The last session is April 6th.The Program is held at VanDusen Botanical Gardens and the fee is $550.00 all inclusive.

You must attend one of the following information sessions prior to taking this course; Tuesday, October 27th, 10:00am – 12 noon or Thursday, October 29th, 7:00 - 9:00pm.

To register, or if you would like more information send us an e-mail, leave a message at 604-257-8662 or write to:

Facilitator. Master Gardeners Program
VanDusen Botanical Garden
5251 Oak St.
Vancouver BC V6M 4H1

See examples of projects completed by students in the 2009 basic training program held at VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver.