HOW TO BECOME A

Tri-County Master Gardener

Tri-County Master Gardeners are members of the Master Gardeners of Ontario, Inc. (MGOI), an independent non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping home gardeners.

If you are passionate about gardening, enjoy interacting with fellow gardeners and would like to expand your horticultural knowledge in a supportive environment, you might be the perfect candidate to join Tri-County Master Gardeners.

Requirements

Master Gardeners are required to:

  • complete the courses outlined below, or write the certification exam
  • complete 30 hours of volunteering each year
  • attend local Master Gardener meetings

First Steps

The first step in becoming a Master Gardener is to attend one of our meetings and meet our members. We cover a large geographic area–Huron, Oxford and Perth counties–so our monthly meetings are usually via Zoom. To get information about attending, use the button below and choose the drop-down for attending meetings.

I’d Like to Attend a Meeting

What’s Next

Once you’ve attended a meeting and introduced yourself to our members, the next step is to complete the application. Once the application is complete, and you’ve read and agreed to our bylaws and policies, you will become a Master Gardener in Training (MGiT). Master Gardeners in Training participate in all activities that regular Master Gardeners do, including plant sales, workshops, advice clinics, seminars and, of course, social get-togethers. We are an active group and there are many opportunities available to complete the required 30 volunteer hours annually.

Education Component

There are three paths toward completing the educational component for certification as a Master Gardener: online study through Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, or by Certification Examination.

MGiTs have three years to complete any one of the options listed below. All costs are the responsibility of the MGiT, although Tri-County Master Gardeners reimburses a portion of the cost after courses are completed and the 30 hours of volunteering have been completed for each year.

To find out more visit Education–MGOI

University of Guelph

Three courses make up this program:

  • Plant Identification
  • Soils and Plant Growth
  • Integrated Pest Management
Dalhousie University Master Gardener Program

Four courses make up this program:

  • The Science of Gardening
  • Maintaining the Garden
  • Plant ID
  • The Art of Gardening
Certification Exam

This option is best suited to motivated individuals who are able to undertake a program of self-directed study or those with prior horticultural experience or education.

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