The Monterey Bay Green gardener Program

History of the Green Gardener Program

This program began as the Green Gardener Certification Program in Santa Barbara County on March 2000. The goal of the program was to educate and certify local gardeners in resource efficient and pollution prevention landscape management practices.

Since then, the Monterey Bay and Santa Barbara Programs have collaborated to both standardize and extend the
bi-lingual curriculum. As of August 2006, together both programs have certified over 900 landscapers.

 

Ecology ActionEcology Action

Ecology Action is a nonprofit environmental consultancy, delivering cutting edge education services, technical assistance and program implementation for initiatives that assist individuals, business and government to maximize environmental quality and community well being.


Find a certified Green Gardener in your area now.

Who are the Instructors and What Topics are Covered?

Green Gardener instructors are either landscape contractors or experts in the field. The training consists of two ten-week series and is given in both English and Spanish.

The curriculum covers the following topics:
   
STANDARD Curriculum Topics
ADVANCED Curriculum Topics
Soil Health
Sustainability/ Green Design
Fertilizers
Irrigation Design
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Irrigation Scheduling
Irrigation I
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) I
Irrigation II
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) II
Irrigation III
Advanced Pruning
Pruning
Soil Food Web/ Compost Tea
Mulches & Compost
Soil Fertility
Plant Selection
Abiotic Disorders
Air Quality + Final
Final

Check out a sample of our curriculum

Individual Certification

The Green Gardener Program certifies and promotes individual graduates.  In order to become certified, gardeners attend both series that consist of ten, two-hour sessions for a total of 40 hours of instruction. Gardeners must also obtain a passing score on a final exam that covers all core subjects.

Interested in Implementing this Program in Your Area? For a program resource package please contact:

Kurt Hurley
Program Specialist
Ecology Action
Email
Phone:  831-426-5925 x108
Fax:  831-425-1404

Other Resources and Useful Links

CLCA - http://www.clca.org/clca/about/chapters/cc.php
The California Landscape Contractors Association is a non-profit trade organization of licensed landscape and landscape-related contractors.

ELA - http://www.ela-ecolandscapingassn.org/
The Ecological Landscaping Association is a nonprofit, member-based organization of landscape professionals, homeowners, and community groups who believe in using landscape practices that are environmentally safe and beneficial.

Home Composting - www.compostsantacruzcounty.org 
The Santa Cruz County Public Works Department funds an excellent program with regular training events, including the Certified Master Composter Program where you can learn techniques to convert food and yard waste into a valuable soil amendment.

Monterey Bay Master Gardeners - http://montereybaymg.ucdavis.edu/
This program is an excellent local resource for continuing horticultural education. Check the schedule for trainings and apply online to attend.

The Green Gardener Certification Program for Santa Barbara County - http://www.greengardener.org/

 
Ecology Action
This program is coordinated by Ecology Action
and funded by the State Water Resources Control Board.
 California State Water Resources Control Board