Becoming a Master Gardener takes commitment to your own personal growth in knowledge and to improving your community. Being certified as a Master Gardener in Tennessee requires completion of the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener program, for a fee of $175, which includes the Tennessee Master Gardener Handbook. As an intern you will need to complete 40 hours of volunteerism and 8 CEU’s (continued education units) before the end of the year of your course. Each course is taught over 15 weeks starting in the end of January and continues the first week of May. The course is organized around weekly teachings, hands on activities, some field trips, seminars, and projects. Each year is unique in experiences and shaped by the members. Certified Master Gardeners maintain 25 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of continued education to remain in good standing with the program. In order to accommodate different life schedules. Evening classes are offered on even years (2024, 2026), and day classes are offered on odd years (2025, 2027). Every year there is an opportunity to join Master Gardeners Program training. Registration opens in October and closes the end of the first week of January. In order to register click: https://tiny.utk.edu/gmg. Application forms can be completed online during registration, delivered in-person or mailed to UT TSU Extension 132 S. 2nd. St., Pulaski, TN 38478. Course fee must be paid in full by the close of registration in order to receive the binder needed for the class.
The purpose of the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program is to train citizens as horticulture education volunteers of UT Extension who work with their respective county Extension offices to expand educational outreach by providing residents and consumers with research-based horticultural information and training. Goals include: expanding access of residential/consumer horticulture knowledge to the local community, developing educational outreach programs to support the needs of the community, and creating a skilled and dedicated volunteer network. Giles County Master Gardeners strives to exceed these goals within our local community and is a part of the UT/TSU Giles County Extension Office.
2025: The weekly zoom trainings will be available to watch on your own. If you don’t have reliable access to internet the zoom will be available to watch live in the Extension Conference Building on Tuesday mornings. Weekly activity will be held from 5:30-7:30pm on Thursdays, this will include labs, hands on activities, projects, and field trips.
The Master Gardener Program includes the following topics:
- The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program
- An Overview of the Physical Environment, Flora, and Vegetation of Tennessee
- Basic Botany, Plant Physiology, and Plant Classification
- An Introduction to Stewardship and Water Management in the Landscape
- Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
- Soil Management in Residential Gardens and Landscapes
- Designing the Home Landscape
- Woody Ornamentals
- Herbaceous Ornamentals
- Turfgrass Management in Tennessee
- Growing Vegetables in the Tennessee Home Garden
- Residential Fruit in Tennessee
- Introduction to Entomology and Integrated Pest Management
- Plant Diseases
- Weed Science and Management in Residential Areas
- Wildlife Around the Residence
Register at https://tiny.utk.edu/gmg
To join the local Giles County Master Gardeners, dues are $20/year (May-April).
Questions may be emailed to Madison O’Ferrall at (931)-363-3523 or moferrall@utk.edu
