All gardeners can become worthy horticulturists. To assist its members in achieving this goal, NGC has created the Gardening Study Course series. The program consists of a series of four courses, held about six months apart, scheduled usually for two days of instruction, followed by a general examination on the morning of the third day. Topics include basic botany, soils, growing annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, fruits and vegetables, lawns, pests and diseases of plants, plant classification, pruning and selected topics of local interest.

These courses are designed to:
● stimulate interest in the growth of plant materials to their peak of perfections
● give the student an understanding of how and why a plant grows.
● teach soil structure and methods for making the soil more productive
● Lend an understanding as to why plants react to certain weather conditions and how to modify these conditions to encourage optimum growth.
● Provide an understanding of commercial and natural fungicides and pesticides, growth regulators and other chemicals used in general horticultural procedures.
● Illustrate methods for rapid propagation
● Offer methods and instruction in plant identification
● Explore specialized styles of gardening.

After taking the four courses, passing the examination with a score of 70 or better and complying with all requirements, the student will become a Nationally Accredited Gardening Consultant. The required textbook is “Living with Plants” and a subscription to The National Gardener magazine.

Garden club members completing the series of four courses are awarded the designation of Gardening Consultant.