Would you like to join an exciting, dynamic group of Master Gardeners who strive to both
continue their education, but also do good work in the community? Then consider joining the
Victoria Master Gardeners!
Our mission is to promote evidence-based sustainable horticulture through the education of our
members and the public, as well as community service initiatives. We always welcome new
members.
To join the Victoria Master Gardeners, you must first complete the Master Gardener Basic Training
Program offered through the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific (HCP). The course is taught at the HCP
by Pacific Horticulture College instructors, professional horticulturalists, and Master Gardeners.
The Basic Training Program consists of twenty-six 3 hour sessions that combine classroom and online instruction, home study, hands-on practice, assignments and in-class projects.
Details of the program and how to register in mid-September for the following year’s January-May program are here: The Master Gardener Training Program at HCP
Successful completion of the program is the first step towards becoming a Master Gardener. Once you have completed the course, you become an Master Gardener Intern. You will then have up to 2 years* to complete 50 hours of education, mentorship and volunteer work in the community as an intern, after which you will become a Certified Master Gardener. (*under some circumstances, an extension can be granted)
Some of the volunteer gardening advice options (20 hours required) are:
- Clinics, where you provide live gardening advice to the public,
- the provision of written researched answers to questions from the public
- the creation of social media content
- our Speakers Bureau
For the remaining hours, we have a variety of other external projects where we provide community service, for example, at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, the Royal British Columbia Museum Herbarium, the Saanich Pulling Together Program, and more. You can also earn volunteer hours by serving on an internal committee.
When you are fully certified, you will continue to volunteer in the community, and are eligible to take
our Advanced Training program which consists of ongoing education in the areas of botany,
pruning, propagation, soil science, and much more.
To maintain your membership, there is an annual fee. Both Interns and qualified Master Gardeners are expected to commit to at least 5 hours of ongoing Education per year (with the exception of your first year, where there is no requirement). Education opportunities include garden visits and speaker events at our monthly meetings.
Please note: if you have recently relocated to Victoria and are a certified Master Gardener from another region, please contact info@msvmga.org.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Victoria Master Gardener’s Association!
For more information on the annual Master Gardener Basic Training Program, contact communityed@hcp.ca.