The Master Gardener concept was originally created in Washington State (USA) in 1972. Ontario’s first pilot sites began in Brigden, Englehart and London with 39 participants. The next year, Brantford, Stratford, Ottawa, Windsor, Algoma West, Burlington and St. Catharines joined and brought with them another 154 new volunteers.

Now, as then, experienced gardeners are recruited locally. After an orientation session, candidates take an eligibility test. If they pass, they are able to register for on line courses from the University of Guelph or The Nova Scotia Agricultural College.

In return, participants provide horticultural information to the public via garden clinics, telephone, letters, displays, workshops, television, radio and newspaper articles. For example, the Master Gardeners mans a booth at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto to answer horticultural questions form the public.

By the end of 1989 OMAFRA was funding 19 groups with 337 active volunteers. In 1996, funding was discontinued and Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. was incorporated as an independent organization. In 1990 the program held a successful provincial conference at the University of Guelph . Subsequently conferences were held in Waterloo in 1993 and Ridgetown in 1996. A special part of the Ridgetown conference was the presentation of pins to Master Gardeners with 10 years of service.

If you are an experienced gardener and enjoy helping others, Master Gardeners of Ontario wants to hear from you. A group of 15 or more interested and knowledgeable people (10 or more in Northern Ontario ) can form a Master Gardener Group. Master Gardeners are standing by to help you get the results you've always dreamed about. You can contact the Master Gardener Hotlines for help or contact the Master Gardeners Club in your area.