NEXT TSMG BASIC TRAINING:
JANUARY to MARCH 2026
MASTER GARDENERS deal with all aspects of gardening including basic plant physiology, soil
improvement, pest management, and information on local growing environments. We aim to provide the most
current scientific information on local pests and diseases, and the use of environmentally-friendly solutions
to plant problems.
MASTER GARDENERS ARE VOLUNTEERS who participate in clinics at local garden centres, public
garden events including farmers’ markets and fall fairs, seedy Saturdays/Sundays. In addition to clinics, Master Gardeners assist with plant sales, lead garden tours, provide presentations for community groups as well as research and write articles for newsletters, websites, social media, pamphlets and brochures. They lead and/or participate in Citizen Science research projects as well as implement or assist with school and community group projects.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER?
– Be a keen gardener, willing to share knowledge and enthusiasm with the gardening public.
– Attend an information session and complete a qualifying quiz on basic gardening knowledge (this course is designed for experienced gardeners).
– Cost: TBD
– Complete Basic Training (78 hours).
– After completing Basic Training participants transition to Master Gardeners-in-Training and are required to complete 50 volunteer hours over a two-year period.
BASIC TRAINING
– Sessions are delivered virtually / in-person (Kamloops), January to March 2026
– Required readings and research assignments that may require an additional 10 hours per week
BASIC TRAINING TOPICS:
– Botany
– Plant Nomenclature and ID
– Soil & Amendments
– Plant Nutrition & Fertilizers
– Vegetable Gardening
– Tree Fruits
– Berries & Grapes
– Native Plants
– Herbaceous & Woody Landscape Plants
– Basic Entomology
– Insect & Vertebrate Pest Management
– Plant Pathology
– Plant Problem Diagnosis
– Plant Health Care & IPM
– Pruning Principles
– Plant Propagation
– Composting
– Fire-Smart Landscaping
– Waterwise Landscaping
– Invasive Species
– Pollinators
**Once qualified, Master Gardeners are required to fulfill 15 volunteer hours and 10 continuing education hours per year to maintain Master Gardener status.
FOR MORE INFORMATION — email tsmgbasictraining@gmail.com