Your green thumb can also be a gift to your community, with training from UDC’s Master Gardener program

Since she completed her certification, Master Gardener Kathy Sykes (far left) has been leading volunteers in planting and maintaining tree box gardens along Connecticut Avenue. (April 2022 photo)

What is a Master Gardener? For years in DC, that’s been the title bestowed on anyone who has been trained in sustainable urban gardening practices at UDC, and goes on to volunteer in their communities on garden-based projects.

The university’s Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education, under the umbrella of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences, is accepting applications through February 9th for the spring 2023 Master Gardener program. There will also be a fall session, and the Master Gardener coordinator, Ali Schneiderman, says the center is hoping to start a new course that offers the sustainable gardening training, but without the volunteer work requirement.

Applicants for the spring session will learn if they are accepted by March 1st. The classes will meet once per week, mostly virtually and in the evening, from late March to June. The trainees also 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.