Camden County Certified Gardeners

Are you interested in horticulture and related subjects?

You should get to know Camden County’s Certified Gardeners Program!

Our mission is education, and to that end we…

  • Have scheduled appearances at County libraries, farmer’s markets and events
  • Staff a Helpline in Blackwood where you can call or bring your gardening questions,
  • Offer free speakers to local organizations through our Speakers Bureau,
  • And host a phenomenal Plant Sale every spring with budget-friendly flower, vegetable, and herb plants for sale.

Our Programs and Facilities

Certified Gardeners get an early start on the growing season in our expansive greenhouses, allowing for plenty of hands-on training. Our greenhouses at the Lakeland complex are great places to be in the winter!

The hydroponics greenhouse produces lettuces, microgreens, herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers. On a biweekly basis about 25 pounds of leafy greens are donated to Cathedral Kitchen in Camden and a Veterans program in Blackwood. Approximately 500 pounds of produce are donated every year. We even have a new partnership with the Philadelphia Zoo to provide healthy, freshly picked produce for its wildlife!

Make and Take is a VERY popular program. Adults and sometimes kids are welcomed on Saturday mornings to see a gardening presentation and then make a take-home item. There is a small fee for materials. You’ll find the schedule on our Facebook page, in the Camden County Weekly Update, and in our newsletter, The Savvy Gardener. (links at the bottom of this page.) We have a beautiful Education Garden where Gardeners work and the public is invited to watch and ask questions. It’s open to the public during growing season. Please check our publications for hours.

Are you interested in becoming a Certified Gardener?

County residents must enroll in the Certified Gardeners Horticultural Training Program, which is offered once annually, January through April. Classes cover a wide variety of key horticultural topics and are taught by college professors and industry experts on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9 am-12 pm at the Sustainability Campus. The cost is $250 which covers speakers’ fees and class materials.

To complete initial certification, Interns must give time at Certified Gardener sponsored events and programs: Community Service (20 hours) and Outreach/Helpline (40 hours). Interns have over one year to complete these hours. Applications for the next year’s class will be available in Fall. Find more information on our Facebook page, in the Camden County Weekly Update, and through our newsletter, The Savvy Gardener.


Gardening Questions? 
Call our Helpline at 856 216 7130, send email to njgarden@camdencounty.com, or visit our office every Tuesday and Thursday, 9am-3pm.

Need a free speaker on gardening for your organization?   
Send email toNjgarden@camdencounty.com and put Speaker in the subject line.

Follow us on Facebook for our outreach locations and Make & Take workshops!  

Subscribe to our newsletter The Savvy Gardener for the latest activities and news.

Program Coordinator:
Cali Bledy, caliope.bledy@camdencounty.com

We’re located at the Sustainability Campus at 508 Lakeland Road in Blackwood.