Except for Alberta, each province has one program. Most master gardeners are organized in local groups that hold monthly meetings and work with local horticultural societies. Though programs differ slightly in their certification training formats, they all cover the full range of horticultural subjects. After certification, gardeners participate regularly in seminars, workshops, courses, field trips and self-directed study. Volunteers are not supposed to use the title outside of their volunteer duties.
Groups differ only slightly in the range of community volunteer services they offer.
Master gardeners benefit from the program in several ways. Being a master gardener expands your horizons immensely, not just in gardening, but also in the kinds of people you meet. It opens your eyes to social and gardening possibilities. She especially enjoys working on the garden hotline because of the stimulating questions and the rapport that develops between her and the callers. Its 334 members live throughout the province, but report to the VanDusen office.