paradise gardeners

Dates: Tuesday, October 27th OR Thursday, October 29th

Address: 6800 Potomac Street San Diego, CA 92139

Accessible: Sort of - Walking on a gravel path

Walking: This one is outside on garden paths. Please wear appropriate shoes and have sun protection! The tour route is about 1/4 mile on dirt/gravel. There is very little shade (wear caps and sunscreen) with a few seats and boulder seats around the garden. Walkers need to bring their own water and there is a restroom available.

Link:  https://paradisegardeners.org/

This week we are visiting the Paradise Gardeners group.  We will be learning more about the work they do to promote gardening and environmental responsibility in San Diego. You can read more about them here: 

In the meantime, let’s learn a little bit more about gardening here in San Diego!

Whether you are new to gardening or have been doing it for years, the San Diego Master Gardener's Association has so many AMAZING resources to help. Click the link below to access guides on vegetable growing, tomatoes, avocados, citrus, winter vegetables, and other amazing downloadable guides.

You can check out the guides here:

Want to know what to plant when? Check out this month by month guide for growing in San Diego:

Want to take your gardening to the next level? You can look into becoming a Master Gardener! Read on to explore ways to become a Master Gardener!

What is the Master Gardener Program?

The Master Gardener program, part of the American Horticultural Society, is typically offered through universities in the United States and Canada and provides intensive horticultural training to individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities by giving lectures, creating gardens, conducting research, and many other projects.

The idea for the Master Gardener's program came in 1972, when a Washington-state extension advisor felt overworked answering all the questions he received about horticulture and pest management. Since many of the questions were very basic, he realized that he could train volunteers to answer some of the most common questions for the public. The  volunteers received expert training in horticulture and pest management, and in return, they were able to help others.

The idea soon spread across the country. In 1980, UC Cooperative Extension initiated its Master Gardener Program in two counties, Riverside and Sacramento. By 2009, there were Master Gardener Programs in 41 counties throughout California. San Diego’s  MG Program was initiated in 1983.

The program tends to attract volunteers who have a passion for gardening, and it is the extension advisor's responsibility to make sure these trainees are given accurate, up-to-date information on home horticulture issues and taught how to properly research and respond to questions they get on that subject from local residents.

The UC Master Gardener Program is a public service and outreach program under the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, administered locally by participating UC Cooperative Extension county offices.

The UC Master Gardener Program is an example of an effective partnership between the University of California and passionate volunteers. In exchange for training from the University, UC Master Gardeners offer volunteer services and outreach to the general public in more than 1,286 demonstration, community and school gardens across 52 California counties. Last year 6,154 active UC Master Gardener volunteers donated 446,237 hours, and 6.8+ million hours have been donated since the program's inception.

How to become a Master Gardener

In San Diego, the Master Gardener training course is popular - and usually only given once every two years. Each class has a limit of 45 students and there are often 2-3 times as many applicants.  

Not every qualified applicant is accepted for a training class but persistence does pay off. Several of the current members of the local Master Gardeners group had to apply more than once before they were accepted.

For a nominal fee to cover the cost of text books and other class materials.  Master Gardeners in Training embark on a 50-hour program of 16 classes over a five-month period. Each training class is taught by a specialist in that field to ensure that MG’s receive top-quality, expert instruction. Students are certified as a UCCE Master Gardener after they successfully complete the training course and pass the final exam. After graduation, each new MG must volunteer at least 50 hours of time in public education activities during the first year,  helping to educate the public and answering questions on home gardening and pest management.

Once certified, it's not unusual for Master Gardener volunteers to stay in the program for several years, fulfilling the required number of volunteer and education hours they need for recertification each year. MGs can meet their volunteer requirements in numerous ways, including staffing educational exhibits and the Master Gardener hotline (858-822-6910). Public inquiries on home horticulture are answered between 9 a.m. and 3p.m. Monday through Friday.

Inherent in the title "Master Gardener" lies the challenge to continue learning and to help other gardeners grow. It's a challenge that everyone who has graduated from the Master Gardener program is committed to meeting.

The next San Diego class is beginning in January of 2027, but it’s already full! You can check out and keep tabs on the next classes here: https://www.mastergardenersd.org/become-a-master-gardener/

Looking for some garden inspiration? Scroll through this site to see some of the best gardens in San Diego. How many have you visited?

There’s no narration, just lovely scenes of the garden, so it’s pretty soothing! :-) 

Click here to test your garden knowledge! Try out this fun, 10 question quiz to see how much you know!

See you this week - remember to dress for outdoor weather and be ready to walk on a gentle gravel path for about ¼ of a mile! Bring water to stay hydrated and wear appropriate footwear!

https://www.mastergardenersd.org/

https://ahsgardening.org/

http://mg.ucanr.edu/