Master Gardener Training Program

This course is a prerequisite for joining the Victoria Master Gardener Association. It is also a great program for the home gardener or hobbyist to learn current, reliable home gardening basics.

Lifelong learning is at the heart of the Victoria Master Gardener Association, where it is accepted that no one can possibly know it all and that there is no shame in saying, “I don’t know but I know who to ask.” Amazing gardeners here at the HCP say it all the time. The thing is you have to start somewhere and the Master Gardener Program is the place. Learn current, reliable home gardening basics – the framework to pin everything else to. You will also learn how to look it up, who to ask, and how to share that knowledge of sound, environmentally responsible gardening practices with the community.

The course is taught at the HCP by a Pacific Horticulture College (PCH) instructors and Master Gardeners and consists of 26 x 3-hour sessions that combine classroom and online instruction, home study, hands-on practice, assignments and in-class projects. Guest lecturers add their knowledge, contributing immeasurably to the experience. There are a small number of homework assignments to help build your plant identification and culture knowledge.

To read more about the program and decide if it’s for you, download last year’s Master Gardener Program Guide.

2025 Master Gardener Training Schedule

2025 Master Gardener Program Guide (1)Updated)

Program Delivery

This program has a blended delivery and is partly in person in the HCP classroom (Saturdays 9am-noon) and online via Zoom (Thursday evenings). Participants will need to be comfortable with using Zoom and have a computer and Wifi that meets the requirements.

There will also be some practical components in the gardens at HCP, and field trips.

Note that each instructor will have their own style of teaching and sharing resources. Contact information will be provided if you have any questions.

If you have questions, would like more information about the program or registration, please contact [email protected].
Sign up for the MG Interest List Here

Important: Please supply an accurate email address when you sign up as all registration communications will be via email.

Registration Dates for 2025

Please sign up for the Master Gardener Interest List for updates and early registration.

September 11, 2024, 9:30 AM – Registration for those on the interest list

Please Note: The 2025 MG Program is currently FULL (as of Sept 11 at noon), with a short waiting list. Contact [email protected] if you would like to join the waiting list.

2025 Program Pricing

Application Fee: $75 (due on registration, non-refundable for cancellations after Nov. 21)
Program Fee: $795.00 (includes tuition, books and handouts)

Cancelations & Conditions

Payment deadline for Program Fee is December 1, 2024.
Program fees are fully refundable for cancellations up until December 15, 2024
Cancellations after the start of the course are not refundable.

Schedule

Classes take place twice weekly from late January until early May (TBC Dates January 26-May 8, 2025 )

  • Sundays from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
  • Thursdays from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Most Sunday afternoon classes are delivered in person, in the classroom at HCP (505 Quayle Road). Most Thursday evening classes take place online via Zoom.

For an example of the schedule and material covered, download the schedule for 2024 below:

SAMPLE SCHEDULE(Spring 2024 dates)

Becoming a Master Gardener

Once you complete the course, you have the option to go on and become a Master Gardener. Note that this is optional and not a requirement when you complete the course.

What is a Master Gardener and what do they do?
Master Gardeners combine a passion for gardening and the dedication to share their knowledge with the community. As part of an international, non-profit organization, all Master Gardeners are volunteers and offer their knowledge in many venues. To become a Master Gardener, you first qualify to be a Master Gardener in Training (MGIT) and then become qualified as a Master Gardener, following a period of further education and volunteering.

Qualification as a Master Gardener in Training (MGIT)

  • Attendance (80% of classes)
  • Assignments (complete a minimum of 80%)
  • Final open book exam (minimum grade of 80%)

Qualifications to become a certified Master Gardener
Volunteer hours are the cornerstone of certification. In the first 24 months after completing the basic training course, MGITs complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer hours in such activities as gardening events, seminars, fairs, plant sales, nursery clinics, workshops, demonstrations, community projects, research and writing and fundraising events. Once certification has been obtained, the number of clinic hours /year is reduced. In addition to volunteer hours, members attend regular meetings and commit to on-going education.

Visit the Victoria Master Gardener Association website for more information – www.mgabc.org/victoria

Upcoming Events

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19

Willow Chair Workshop with Andrew Kent

January 19, 2025 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pmHorticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this full day workshop. In one day, with Andrew's expert instruction, you can make and take home your own Bent Willow […]

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23

HCP Kids – Garden Nature Academy Jan 2025

January 23, 2025 @ 9:30 am - 12:00 pm$300.00 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

The Garden Nature Academy is a half day program that runs on Thursday's. The outdoors offers safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore through play, games, songs, and […]

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23

How to Compose a Painting: Watercolour Talk and Class with Richard Wong

January 23, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pmHorticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Start the new year with this artist talk and watercolour painting class, where Richard will offer tips on composing a painting, and you'll learn to paint early spring blossoms, perfect for Valentine's Day.

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25

HCP Kids – Terrariums

January 25, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am$35.00 - Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific

Gardening with tropicals and succulents is an easy way for children to use their creativity to make these miniature gardens. We will learn about the individual needs of these interesting […]

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Questions? We would love to hear from you!

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Territory Acknowledgement

We at HCP gratefully acknowledge that the Gardens are located on the ancestral territories of the lək’ʷəŋən peoples, represented by the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, represented by the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations. With gratitude, we work and learn where people come together in appreciation of plants and stewardship of the Gardens.

505 Quayle Rd. Victoria, BC V9E 2J7

Phone: 250-479-6162

Email: [email protected]

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