About Master Urban Gardener Certificate Class Applications Due

Now in its twenty-third year, the Master Urban Gardener (MUG) Certificate Class 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. Whether you’re just getting started or have been gardening for decades, MUG covers everything you need to 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 all gardeners from Massachusetts and New England.

Fall 2026 Course Schedule:

The Fall 2026 course will take place in The Trustees Boston Office on Saturdays 10am-3pm from October 24 to December 12 with one Saturday off. Please note that these dates and times are subject to change. MUG students are asked to perform 10 hours of volunteer service before receiving their certificate.

Application Information:

Applications are due by October 3. Early applications are encouraged. The course fee is on an income-based sliding scale, ranging from $0 – $300.