East Hawaiʻi Master Gardener training begins

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Elihu Isele, (808) 969-8209
Assistant Extension Agent, Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences
Noelani Whittington
Master Gardener
Posted: Nov 26, 2018

Master Gardener Ed Olsen Moore provides a tour of his garden. Photo courtesy Becky Settlage.
Master Gardener Ed Olsen Moore provides a tour of his garden. Photo courtesy Becky Settlage.
Extension agent Dr. Ted Radovich (in red) trains Master Gardeners. Photo courtesy Angelica Covington
Extension agent Dr. Ted Radovich (in red) trains Master Gardeners. Photo courtesy Angelica Covington

Anyone with an interest in becoming a resource for home and school gardeners can apply to become a Master Gardener. The East Hawai‘i Master Gardeners are accepting applications for the 2019 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program. Courses begin January 23, 2019, and run through April.

Trained and advised by extension agents from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, East Hawai‘i Master Gardener volunteers will be trained on various course topics including:

  • Basic botany

  • Native Hawaiian plants

  • Invasive plant species

  • Tropical ornamental plants

  • Plant nutrition

  • Soil fertility and nutrient management

  • Insect and plant disease management

  • Plant propagation and pruning

  • Fruit and vegetable crops

  • Natural gardening

  • Diagnosing plant health problems


Upon completion of the program, East Hawai‘i Master Gardeners can provide their knowledge at “plant doctor” booths or information helplines, help schools manage their educational gardens and educate students about the importance of plants, manage invasive pests like Little Fire Ants and other projects. The group is also starting work on a beekeeping initiative in collaboration with the Big Island Beekeepers Association.

Those interested can apply online https://goo.gl/forms/sq4nZKPGIZZmmmi62.  Fee for the course is $200. Applicants will be interviewed on January 9, 2019. Classes meet Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Komohana Research Center, 875 Komohana St., D-202 in Hilo.

Learn more about the East Hawai‘i Master Gardener certification program.