Master Gardeners
Virginia Master Gardeners are volunteer educators who work within their communities to encourage and promote environmentally sound horticulture practices though sustainable landscape management education and training. Learn more on the Virginia Master Gardner Facebook.
As an educational program of Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), Virginia Master Gardener's bring the resource of Virginia's land grant universities, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University to the people of the commonwealth. Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners work specifically toward enhancing the environment through sustainable landscape practices, producing food in public and private gardens to improve human nutrition and food security, and using horticulture and landscaping to positively impact youth and improve the overall quality of life for Virginia citizens.
Become a Master Gardener
If you are interested in being added to our waitlist, please read the Master Gardener Class 2022 Fact Sheet (PDF) and then complete the waitlist form.
Extension Master Gardeners assist Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) in delivering horticulture education programs to the community. Services include staffing the Master Gardener help desk, maintaining the demonstration gardens and presenting educational material in a variety of channels.
While COVID-19 has changed much about the daily activities of Master Gardeners, their dedication to educating and serving the citizens of Chesterfield County remains the same. Training includes lessons on basic plant growth and development; fruits, tree, and shrub identification; vegetables; weeds; diseases; insects; and related horticulture subjects. The class fee includes a kit of materials that will allow trainees to participate in hands-on activities guided by instructors in the virtual classes.
Master Gardeners in training receive a minimum of 50 hours of horticultural training before volunteering 50 hours for completion of the classroom and volunteer requirements. Master Gardeners maintain their status with continuing education and volunteer time requirements each subsequent year.
The Master Gardener program is open to all Chesterfield residents and to Virginia residents outside of the county who choose to give their volunteer hours within Chesterfield. Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or any other basis protected by law.
Questions? Call the Extension Office at 804-751-4401 or email the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Training Details
- There is a $200 fee to cover costs of training materials. (Price subject to change.)
- Classes will be held from January to March.
After completing classroom training, participants serve a 50-hour internship with the Extension Office and help conduct educational programs for the general public.
Horticulture Aspects Covered
The Master Gardener volunteer training program includes all aspects of horticulture, including the following:
- Annuals, Bulbs, and Perennials
- Attracting Beneficial Wildlife
- Botany and Propagation
- Home Fruit and Indoor Plants
- IPM and Pesticide Safety
- Landscape Design
- Plant Disease
- Pruning
- Soils and Composting
- Vegetable Gardening
- Water Quality
- Weeds
Volunteer Projects
Volunteer projects provide guidance on sustainable landscapes. Volunteers can conduct plant clinics at local nurseries, farmer’s markets and garden centers. They can also oversee teaching and demonstration gardens and staff the VCE Master Gardener Help Desk.
Special Projects
Locally, Chesterfield Extension Master Gardeners make a difference by participating in specific projects including:
- Gardening Classes: Short seminars on numerous gardening topics either for local organizations or to the public at local libraries
- Grass Roots Lawn Care Program: Personalized lawn care recommendations based on a site evaluation and soil test.
- Landscape for Life Program: A six-week series on landscape design, sustainability and maintenance.
- Learn your Landscape Program: Site evaluation and information about residents' back yards.
Demonstration Garden
Master Gardeners are developing gardens to teach homeowners, Master Gardeners, youth, green industry professionals and others about a range of issues including water conservation, pollinator preservation, food production, sustainable maintenance practices and locally adapted plants.