National Garden Clubs, Inc. established a series of four

courses on gardening in order to develop a

greater appreciation of the environment, both natural

and manmade, for its members.  Course content is

established by National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC).

 

The Gardening Schools (GS) are designed to:

​​

• Stimulate interest in the growth of plants.

​​

• Provide and understanding of how and why a plant grows.

​​

• Teach soil structure and how to make soil more productive.

​​

• Provide an understanding of plants' reactions to their environment and how to encourage optimum growth.

​

• Provide an understanding of chemicals used in general horticultural procedures.

 

• Illustrate methods for rapid propagation.

​

• Offer plant identification instruction.

​​

• Explore growing techniques for garden plants, vegetables, fruits, houseplants, trees, shrubs and specialized styles of gardening.

​

​​

Courses may be taken in any order.  Each course

consists of ten hours of instruction.  Open

book/open note exams are offered for those wishing to

become NGC Accredited Consultants.  Garden club members who complete all four courses with a passing grade on every exam within seven years become Gardening Consultants, which is recognized as a special achievement among NGC members... but does not convey professional status.

 

To remain in Good Standing, every five years

Gardening Consultants must continue their

education by attending a Refresher or a Gardening School

Course – no exam is required.  After a Consultant’s

fourth refresher, the Consultant becomes a Master

Consultant.  Consultants or Master Consultants may

earn refresher credit only once within a calendar year.