The State Botanical Garden of Georgia sponsors and hosts the Athens Area Master Gardener training program. This twenty-two session Master Gardener Program provides gardeners an intensive educational experience in horticultural principles, practices, and pest management. Topics range from soils and nutrition to vegetable gardening and landscaping.

Space is limited and students will be selected through an application process. Participants must pass a final exam and agree to return 50 hours of volunteer service during the same calendar year of their class. Service may consist of answering questions in a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service office, helping to conduct gardening clinics, working on community beautification projects, or assisting with a variety of horticulture activities and education classes at the State Botanical Garden. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service administers the statewide Master Gardener Program. For more information on the Master Gardener Program, please visit the CAES Master Gardener site.

Classes are held at the Garden on an annual basis. Class fees are $130 for individuals or $220 for couples (only one manual per couple). Click here to download a Master Gardener Application.

Upcoming Class Calendar

2007 Master Gardener Class
January 4-March 27
Tuesdays and Thursdays
5:45 pm to 8:15 pm

2008 Master Gardener Class
January 3-March 27
Tuesdays and Thursdays
8:45 am to 11:15 am

To learn more about SBG volunteer opportunities, including the Master Gardener Program, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 706-542-6195 or sbgvol@uga.edu.

CAES Master Gardener site >>
Master Gardener application >>