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Become a Master Gardener

Become a Master Gardener


Thank you for your interest in becoming an Islington Master Gardener

We’re looking for people with a passion to inspire others to have a go at growing their own food.

Master Gardeners vary hugely, from a couple of years growing experience to many decades. They’re welcome from all sections of the community. They don’t need to be experts on organic growing as this is part of training and support.

Volunteer role

Master Gardeners choose how they want to volunteer in their communities. Some work with schools, or community gardens or local centres,  and some are passionate about growing in small spaces and they support neighbours growing on tiny balconies, where even a windowsill can grow a tomato plant or become a herb garden.

  • Master Gardeners help bring together growing groups and initiatives unique to the area, especially through Edible Islington sites.
  • Each has their own innovate ways of promoting the benefits of growing your own, such as events, talks, articles, and through community groups and schools.
  • Each Master Gardener also supports 10 householders just beginning to grow their own food, offering seasonal advice and support for 12 months.
  • Volunteers ‘graduate’ as Master Gardeners after 30 hours a year volunteering (about half a day a month). Most continue beyond.
  • They feedback their hours, activities, successes and problems to their Islington volunteer co-ordinator, Susan Holtom.

Read latest case studies here

We are very proud of our volunteers. Read last news about Islington Master Gardeners


Support

  • Full Master Gardener training (two-day course) supported by dedicated manual and interactive website.
  • Active support from the Islington volunteer co-ordinator Susan Holtom, including one-to-one guidance, horticultural training, newsletters, and factsheets.
  • Part of a network and community of Master Gardeners promoting food growing around the UK.
  • Free resources, badge, clothing, safe working policies, insurance, expenses, awards, Garden Organic membership and discounted Grow Your Own magazine subscription

Click here to read about our latest Islington training for existing Master Gardeners to get a flavour of the ongoing support you would receive.

For a report on the last training event for new Master Gardeners in October 2011 click here

Questions and application

Please get in touch with volunteer co-ordinator Susan Holtom to find out more and for application details…. click here

Since Master Gardeners work with the public, we carry out reference checks.

Islington training dates (two day foundation course)

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 May 2012 (postponed from 24 & 25 March).

Contact volunteer co-ordinator, Susan Holtom

Not in Islington?

In addition to Islington, our next training dates are open to applications from keen food growers in Camden, Hackney and Haringey.  We have Master Gardeners supporting food growing in neighbouring boroughs and in South London (Wandsworth, Lambeth and Southwark).  See the A-Z directory of volunteers to find out who’s nearby. If you’re further afield, see our other areas, or contact us to help us start a Master Gardener programme near you.

Other ways to get involved

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Photos on flickr