We invite you to explore several different offerings for our Master Urban Gardener (MUG) skills courses, including in person or virtual certification courses, Spanish language options, and hands-on practicum sections. Scroll down to see all the options offered in detail.
If you are interested in a private MUG session for your group or organization please email arabiyah@thetrustees.org.
Master Urban Gardener (MUG) Certificate Course
Now in its 30th year, MUG has long been a forum where both novice and experienced gardeners gather to build their skills, sharing innovative and best practices for growing anywhere from the front porch to a community garden plot.
MUG is an intensive, skill-building training for community and home gardeners from Greater Boston and beyond. Whether you’re just getting started or have been gardening for decades, MUG covers everything you need know to thrive in a community garden: soil science, botany for gardeners, organic pest and disease management, edible native perennials, garden planning, starting a community garden, preserving the harvest, composting, and more.
MUG is not an official Master Gardener training—it requires fewer class and volunteer hours and focuses on small-space growing of edible crops. Master Urban Gardener is open to any community and residential gardeners who demonstrate a commitment to sharing skills with others. The program content is tailored to the climate and resources of Greater Boston but is open to gardeners from farther afield.
Master Urban Gardener Practicum
The MUG Practicum is an in person 5 session course at City Natives learning garden. This is the perfect opportunity to hone your gardening skills during the gardening season. We will go through some of the major themes of urban gardening with live demonstrations and opportunities for hands-on learning. Explore what City Natives has to offer as Boston’s only native perennial plant nursery, with two functioning greenhouses, a food forest of native and edible plants, as well as a community vegetable plot. While this course is designed as a complement to the MUG Certificate course, anyone is welcome to apply.
Course Options & Schedule:
2026 Spring Practicum Course (in person, 5 weeks)
City Natives (30 Edgewater Dr.) | Saturdays | May 2nd- June 6th
2026 Fall Practicum Course (in person, 5 weeks)
City Natives (30 Edgewater Dr.) | Saturdays, 9:30-11:30am | September 19 – October 17
2026 Fall Certificate Course (in person, 8 weeks)
Trustees Office (200 High St.) | Saturdays, 10am-3pm | October 24 – December 12
2027 Winter Certificate Course (virtual, 8 weeks)
Zoom | Tuesdays 5:30-7:30pm & Saturdays 10am–12pm | January 16 – March 13
To receive their certificate, students will be expected to complete at least 10 hours of volunteer service for the Trustees Boston Community Gardens–and/or another approved garden/urban farm project over the course of the next year.
Spanish Language Certificate Course:
Zoom | February – March, dates TBD
For more information email vladimirp@greenrootsej.org
Application Information:
The Fall MUG Practicum is accepting applications until September 1st. For more information, see the link below:
MUG Practicum
The Fall Certificate course is accepting applications through October 3rd. Click the link below to apply:
Apply Now
