About:

Now in its twenty-fifth year, MUG has long been a forum where both novice and experienced gardeners come to build their skills, sharing innovative and best practices for growing anywhere from the front porch to the 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 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. 

Winter 2023 Course Schedule:

MUG consists of weekly sessions for 8 weeks, followed by at least 10 hours of volunteer service for the Trustees Boston Community Gardens–and/or another approved food access/open space project–over the course of the next year. The course will take place in downtown Boston on Saturdays, 10am-3pm, from January 21 through March 11.   

Application Information: 

Applications are due by January 5. Early applications are encouraged. The course fee is on an income-based sliding scale, ranging from $0 – $350. Apply here or email mdelima@thetrustees.org to learn more.