In person or online options available
Master Gardeners are volunteers who assist their local Cooperative Extension offices in educating the public in general gardening practices as well as the proper use of pesticides and fertilizers. In order to become a Master Gardener, an individual must complete 50 hours of horticulture instruction and return an equal number of hours (50) as a Master Gardener volunteer.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension is offering two different master gardener classes, one in-person and one virtual hybrid course (a portion of the class is completed online and a portion of the class is completed in-person). The in-person course runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 5 through November 15 from 9 a.m. until noon in addition to three Saturday sessions. The classes are held at the VT/UVA HR Center in Oyster Point, 600 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite 210 in Newport News.
A virtual hybrid course is being offered August 16 – November 15. Lessons are online in addition to in-person Wednesday evenings sessions and three Saturday sessions. The in-person sessions for this hybrid course are held at Yorktown Library, 8500 George Washington Memorial Highway.
The fee for either course is $130 and covers the handbook, other materials, and a background screening. The course workload is equivalent to 50-60 class hours plus preparation.
Classes will cover topics such as basic botany, propagation, insects, trees & shrubs, pruning, lawns and more.
The application deadline is July 10. Downloadable applications are available through the
York County Extension Office. For more information about becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer contact your local extension Newport News 757-591-4838, Hampton 757-727-1401, York/Poquoson 757-890-4940, or Gloucester County at 804-693-2602.