City of Watsonville Sponsors Green Gardener Certification Program

First Class of the Green Gardener Certification Program Begins!

Monday, February 25th was the  first class in the Green Gardener Certification-level series in Watsonville, and 42 students showed up, as well as a UC Cooperative Extension adviser who is going to launch a Green Gardener Certification Program in San Joaquin County. The class is 95% landscape maintenance workers.  The program is a bilingual training series and all but 3 students are Spanish-speaking.

Who sponsors this program?

The Program is  sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Water Conservation Coalition that includes:The City of Watsonville Municipal Utilities, Soquel Creek Water District, City of Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities, County of Santa Cruz Public Works/Stormwater, and Scotts Valley Water District.The classes are offered through Watsonville/Aptos Adult Education.

What is a Green Gardener?

Monterey Bay Certified Green Gardeners have completed a minimum of 20 hours of practical instruction in ecological landscape practices that conserve water, reduce waste, and prevent urban storm water pollution. After completing training, Green Gardeners must also pass a qualification exam.

By hiring a Green Gardener, you'll know that you are hiring someone who has been trained and tested in resource efficient landscape management practices. You will be working with a professional who has invested their own time and money to learn from their peers and expert trainers about landscape irrigation efficiency, low-maintenance landscaping, water wise plant selection, watershed health, fertilizer management, less-toxic pest management, and much more.

Here is a list of the Green Gardeners in Santa Cruz County.

Visit the Green Gardener website for more information.