Newport News Master Gardeners

What is a Master Gardener?

Master Gardeners serve as volunteer educators in partnership with VCE (Virginia Cooperative Extension) to promote, inform, and work with communities, leaders, industry, and individuals, presenting horticulture programs to protect and enhance the environment.  The information provided draws on the horticultural research and experience of Virginia Tech and Virginia State Universities.

What does a Master Gardener do?

A Newport News MG may provide one or more of the following services to the city:

  • Educate the public about sound landscape management practices.
  • Promote the conservation of natural resources.
  • Provide answers to homeowner questions via the Hort Line.
  • Provide horticultural therapy to residents of a local convelescent center.
  • Plan and deliver school age educational programs.
  • Host plant clinics and sales at various locations within Newport News.
  • Map to our office

How do you become a Master Gardener?

Contact the Newport News Extension office 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mon-Fri, at 591-4838.  The application for up-coming classes will be posted before April, 2012.  Listed below are documents describing course description and trainee responsibilities for 2011.  All are subject to change.

Master Gardener Training Promo Flyer
2011 Master Gardener Training Schedule
Trainee Responsibilities (Please ignore the dates in this document.  An updated document will be available soon.)

Training is usually held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, September through November, in conjunction with York County, Hampton, Newport News and Gloucester.

Topics of instruction include:

Botany Soils and Fertilizers Basics of Entomology
Pesticide use and safety Pruning Landscape Design
Protecting Water Quality Lawns And more!

Once you have completed your training, fifty hours of volunteering is required within one year.  Thereafter, a total of 28 hours annually is required to maintain your title of Certified Master Gardener.

What are the benefits of becoming a Newport News Master Gardener?

You:

  • meet people who share a love of gardening.
  • make a contribution...and a difference...to your city.
  • grow in your knowledge of horticulture.
  • can participate in state and national hortucultural events.
 

Class of 2006!  Click on picture for a larger image.