The TEMG Master Gardener Program

The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener (TEMG) Program is a volunteer service organization offered by the University of Tennessee Extension. The purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train citizens as horticulture educators and environmental stewards for their communities. All volunteers are trained with 40 hours of horticultural classes and return 40 hours of volunteer community service through their Extension office along with 8 additional continuing education hours.

Recertification is necessary with 25 hours of service and 8 hours of continuing education on a yearly basis to maintain certified status.

Volunteers work in partnership with their counties to expand the educational outreach by providing home gardeners with researched-based information. These volunteers, known as Extension Master Gardeners, support the Extension Service by…

  • running plant clinics
  • answering phone requests for horticultural information
  • establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens
  • working with the disabled, youth, elderly, and other special groups in the community
  • designing and implementing community involvement projects
  • coordinating local Master Gardener training programs
  • assisting with local and state fairs

The certification requirements for a Tennessee Extension Master Gardener are as follows:

  • Attend a minimum of 80% of the scheduled class sessions for the training program.
  • Perform and report 40 hours of service work and 8 hours of continuing education within 12 months of beginning the training program.
  • Certification is renewable annually upon completion of volunteer and educational requirements.

If you live outside Davidson County, to locate your county extension information go to: UT Extension County Offices

TEMG Training Topics include:

  • Local Group Orientation
  • TEMG Orientation/TN Hort Overview
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Soils & Cover Crops
  • Botany & Propagation
  • Landscape Design & Herbaceous Ornamentals
  • Woody Ornamentals & Trees
  • Entomology & IPM
  • Pathology
  • Turf & Weeds
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Pollinators & County Wrap Up
  • Multi-County Capstone Events






2025 Davidson County Master Gardener Classes

Thank you for your interest in joining the Master Gardeners of Davidson County!  The next training session will be held January-April 2025. 

Applications for 2024 classes are now CLOSED. 

Applications for 2024 CLOSED at midnight on September 30th.

Check back in August for more details on 2025 classes.

While there are no prerequisites to join the class, we receive a very high volume of applicants. Due to the volume we receive, informal interviews are conducted. While we try to accommodate all interested, please understand we have limited space. Priority is given to Davidson County residents.

Cost is $200 for the 14 week course and includes a textbook and all training materials.  If you apply as a couple and want to share a textbook, the cost will be $350. 


Thank you for your interest in the Master Gardeners of Davidson County Training program.





©2023 Master Gardeners of Davidson County All Rights Reserved. NOTICE: Trade and brand names are used only for information. Tennessee Extension does not guarantee nor warrant the standard of any product mentioned; neither does it imply approval of any product to the exclusion of others which also may be suitable. Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating. Tennessee Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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