Got a green thumb? It can be a gift to your community. The DC Master Gardener training program is accepting applications through July 18.

One of the Connecticut Avenue flower gardens in August 2020, courtesy of Master Gardener Kathy Sykes and her husband Steve Vetzner.

UDC’s popular Master Gardener program will be welcoming its next group of trainees on September 1st, and it’s accepting applications from June 14th to July 18th.

What is a Master Gardener? Someone who has been trained in sustainable urban gardening practices and goes on to volunteer in their communities on garden-based projects. In this neighborhood, we have been enjoying the fruits (or should we say flowers?) of one Master Gardener’s labors.

The training begins with three-hour online classes, once per week, for 16 weeks. After that, the trainees gain hands-on experience through 40 hours of volunteer work. Once that is complete, they are certified as Master Gardeners. Then, in order to maintain active status, the volunteers are required to complete 20 hours of service and 10 hours of continuing education in each calendar year.

Tuition is $300. Financial aid is available.

There’s more to it than we can describe here. You’ll find more information about the program on the DC Master Gardener website. And the program is hosting an online information session on Monday, June 7th at p.m. Register here to receive the Zoom link.