The Master Gardener Program welcomes enthusiastic gardeners with a willingness to share their interest & experience with the public.

Within the greater Vancouver area a comprehensive training course is offered at VanDusen Gardens during daytime hours on 12 consecutive Tuesdays, starting in January. Here students learn about botany, soils, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, beneficial insects & pests through lectures from experts in the field, readings and hands-on group projects.

After completion of the course, a minimum of 70 volunteer hours over the first two years and 20 hours each subsequent year are required.

The 2008 program is now under way. Dates will be posted later this year for Information Sessions for the 2009 program. At each session we will provide additional information about the Master Gardener Program and the Master Gardeners Association of BC. You will be asked to complete a multiple-choice test on general gardening situations. Selection of students for the future programs will be based on volunteer experience and interest, experience dealing with the public and basic gardening knowledge. An Application Form is available.

Summerland The next training program will start on January 24, 2009 in Kelowna. Contact lorrie@telus.net or call 250-769-3314.

Kamloops A Master Gardener Basic Training Program will be offered through Summerland Master Gardeners and Thompson Rivers University Friends of the Gardens on Saturdays - September 6 to December 2, 2008. To apply call 250-828-2321 or email plants4@telus.net

Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association: a Basic Training Course is given through Malaspina University College. The next course is likely to run in the Fall of 2008, in Parksville, and and a program guide is available on the MalU website. Contact Janet Germann of Malaspina University College at germann@mala.ca or Pam Harrison of VIMGA at polowich@shaw.ca

Information for the Victoria Master Gardeners Association is available at its website.

Information regarding the Master Gardener program to be offered in Prince George will appear here in the near future.