UDC is preparing to train the next class of Master Gardeners. Will you be in it?

Certified Master Gardener Kathy Sykes (far left) often leads volunteers in planting pollinator friendly native flowers along Connecticut Avenue.

UDC’s Master Gardener program is accepting applications for its spring 2024 program. As we’ve written before, it teaches sustainable gardening techniques to those interested in taking their new skills into their communities and leading garden-based projects.

To be certified as a Master Gardener, participants attend 16 classes from late March through June and complete 40 community service hours.

More details about the tentative course schedule are on the application form, which is due February 4th. Applicants will learn by February 23rd whether they have been accepted into the volunteer program.

And, the program will host a virtual information session on Wednesday, January 17th from 5 to 6 p.m. Register here to receive the Zoom link.

Two other notes on the program, from from DC Master Gardener Coordinator Ali Schneiderman: “If you are interested in learning about gardening, but not volunteering, we recommend you look at and sign up for UDC’s Eventbrite and the DUG newsletter to learn about upcoming gardening workshops.”

Also:

[W]e do expect more applicants than there are spaces in the course. We will be using the essay portion of the application as the main component for determining who is accepted into the program. So please do spend time on that part explaining your commitment to the mission of the Master Gardener Program. We also will be making sure that we have a mix of residents from throughout the city and prioritize applicants who’ve applied previously.