To be considered for the Master Gardener Training you must attend an information session. The next information session is on May 21, 2015 at 6:30pm to 8pm at the Western Municipal Water District, 14205 Meridian Parkway, Riverside, CA 92518.
For more information or to RSVP, contact 951-683-6491 x230 or rmolaiz@ucanr.edu.
The following is from http://ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/How_To_Become_A_Master_Gardener:
How does someone become a Riverside County Master Gardener?
You must be a resident of Riverside County, California.
New Master Gardeners in Training are chosen from a pool of applicants for each Master Gardener Trainee year.
The Master Gardeners in Training attend 50+ hours of classes consisting of lectures and demonstrations conducted by experts in their fields.
Master Gardeners in Training must complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service to the community. To retain their certification Master Gardeners must complete at least 25 hours of volunteer service to the community and participate in at least 12 hours of continuing education each year.
Who are Master Gardener candidates?
Master Gardener candidates are all ages and come from all walks of life. They:
- Have a basic knowledge of landscape and food gardening
- Have an interest in increasing their horticultural knowledge and skills
- Have a desire to volunteer in their community to share what they have learned and teach gardening skills
- Live in Riverside County, California
What do Master Gardeners do?
Master Gardeners are trained to help residents of Riverside County become better gardeners. Using a variety of activities such as workshops, lectures, and a garden hotline, these volunteers answer questions about home horticulture, sustainable landscaping, and integrated pest management using University of California research-based information.
After their training Master Gardeners are qualified to help the public with problems in areas such as:
- Weed control
- Plant problem diagnosis
- Integrated Pest Management (insect and pest control)
- Soils, fertilizers and irrigation
- Selecting and caring for fruit and landscape trees
- Growing annuals, perennials and food crops
- Lawn care
- Vegetable gardening
- Plant pathology
- Soils and composting
Master Gardeners work in their community by volunteering for activities and projects such as:
- Designing, planting and maintaining demonstration gardens
- Using mass media to disseminate gardening information
- Teaching workshops, or lecturing on gardening practices
- Participating in research activities with academics within UC
- Answering gardeners’ questions via email or helpline
- Speaking to the public on horticultural/gardening topics
- Manning county fair information booths
- Consulting with gardeners with the goal of improving their landscape practices
- Educating and guiding parents and teachers in gardening practices in support of school gardens
Hemet Sunshine 