A Typical MG
Course Syllabus

This is a sample course syllabus for the Tri-County Master Gardener training course. The actual sequence of classes may vary depending on availability of the guest speakers. Each weeks training class is four hours plus a supper break. An updated and accurate syllabus will be provided during the orientation class.

•  WEEK #0  •
    ORIENTATION (2-3 hours)

Objectives:
  •  Welcome to the program
  •  Review schedules and program requirements
  •  Understand rights and responsibilities as a student in the program
  •  Meet the program staff and students
  •  Review the AMG Handbook and Index

    • •  WEEK #1  •
        PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Review basic plant parts/structures and their functions in plant growth
  •  Understand relationship of photosynthesis and respiration in plant growth
  •  Identify the basic requirements for plant growth
  •  Recognize the process by which plants absorb essential elements

    •     HERBS (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Learn the basics of herb gardening including varieties appropriate for our area
  •  Gain an awareness of growing, harvesting, and storage and use techniques

    • •  WEEK #2  •
        ENTOMOLOGY (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Learn to identify and control various types of common insects
  •  Become familiar with the principles of pesticide safety

    •     VEGETABLES (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Understand the basics of small scale vegetable gardening
  •  Understand planting schedules and fertilization
  •  Review methods of insect and disease control
  •  Learn harvesting and storage techniques

    • •  WEEK #3  •
        SOILS AND FERTILIZERS (4 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Identify the five factors of soil formation
  •  Recognize the physical components of soil
  •  Identify and explain the function of the elements essential to plant growth
  •  Recognize types of fertilizer and their appropriate uses

    • •  WEEK #4  •
        ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Learn about the selection and care of annuals and perennials
  •  Become familiar with their growth habits and best cultural practices
  •  Gain first–hand knowledge of ways to use annuals and perennials in a home landscape

    •     DESIGNING WITH PLANT MATERIALS (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Gain first–hand knowledge of ways to use annuals and perennials in a home landscape

    • •  WEEK #5  •
        PLANT SELECTION AND CARE (4 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Learn what to look for in a plant, i.e. growth habit and cultural requirements
  •  Obtain an overview of plants that perform well in our growing zone

    • •  WEEK #6  •
        PLANT PATHOLOGY (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Learn to identify the major diseases of ornamental flowers, shrubs, and trees
  •  Acquire a knowledge of techniques for diagnosing growth problems of ornamentals

    •     WEED SCIENCE (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Learn to identify and classify weeds
  •  Become familiar with the four general methods of weed control
  •  Understand the importance of proper selection of herbicides and safety procedures for their uses

    • •  WEEK #7  •
        HOUSE PLANTS AND WATER GARDENING (4 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Review basic house plant selection and care techniques
  •  Learn basics of planning and establishing water gardens

    • •  WEEK #8  •
        PLANT PROPAGATION (4 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Be able to categorize methods of propagation as sexual or asexual
  •  Learn techniques and methods of vegetative propagation
  •  Learn techniques and methods of propagation by seeds

    • •  WEEK #9  •
        LANDSCAPE DESIGN (4 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Gain an awareness of the basic principles of “good” landscape design
  •  Understand the process of analyzing a site to be landscaped
  •  Become familiar with the steps involved in developing a landscape design

    • •  WEEK #10  •
        TREES AND PRUNING TECHNIQUES (4 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Become familiar basic cultural practices relating to the planting and care of trees
  •  Understand the importance of proper site analysis and selection
  •  Learn to identify and control major diseases of trees
  •  Recognize types of trees successfully grown in this area
  •  Learn appropriate basic pruning techniques

    • •  WEEK #11  •
        HORTICULTURAL THERAPY (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Define horticultural therapy and brief history
  •  Learn the five benefits of horticultural therapy
  •  Understand the research supporting the practice
  •  Become familiar with possibilities for MG involvement
  •  Learn how to practice adaptive gardening for specific situations
  •  Learn to choose plants and plant projects to meet specific needs

    •     HOME LAWNS (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Identify the varieties of lawn grasses recommended for our area
  •  Learn to evaluate them based on temperature tolerance, resilience, and amount of care required
  •  Learn basic techniques involved in establishing lawn grass
  •  Become familiar with the basic requirements for proper lawn maintenance

    • •  WEEK #12  •
        Home Orchards (2 hours)

    Objectives:
  •  Identify the recommended varieties of fruit trees for our growing zone
  •  Gain an awareness of the basic cultural practices for home orchards and small fruits
  •  Become familiar with methods to identify and control insects and diseases in home orchards and on small fruits
  •  Learn the basic pruning techniques for home orchards
  •  Understand the importance of site and cultivar selection for small fruits in the home garden

    •     COMPOSTING & ENVIRONMENTAL GARDENING (2 hours)

    Objectives
  •  Learn the major elements of environmental gardening
  •  Become familiar with the benefits of environmental gardening
  •  Understand the steps in developing a healthy garden
  •  Recognize the basic principles of composting

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