News

Kamryn Allen, Extended Learning

For many, gardening is more than just a hobby - it’s a way to connect with nature, learn, and grow. Zara Munas, a student in the Atlantic Master Gardener program, embodies this passion and brings a wealth of experience and a deep love for plants to the course. From her childhood in Sri Lanka to volunteering at a farm in her community of Labrador, her gardening journey is one of curiosity, dedication, and a desire to share knowledge with others.

Gardening has been a part of Zara’s life since childhood. She fondly recalls growing a variety of plants, from greens and chillies to bananas and okra, with her grandmother. By the age of 26, she turned her passion into a business, growing orchids in Sri Lanka. For four years, she not only ran an orchid business but also grew vegetables for her family’s consumption. This experience, combined with her early love for gardening, shaped her desire to deepen her knowledge and become a certified Atlantic Master Gardener.

Zara first learned about the Atlantic Master Gardener course from a friend who works in agriculture in New Brunswick.  At that time, she was volunteering at the Pye Centre for Northern Boreal Food Systems Farm as Assistant Gardener. Gaining experience in both the greenhouse and field work, she found herself wanting to expand her gardening knowledge. “I realized there was so much I didn’t know about gardening,” she says. As she learned more about the Master Gardener program, she made the decision to pursue the program through Extended Learning at Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture.

The Atlantic Master Gardener Program is a hands-on, volunteer training program for gardening enthusiasts, equipping them to share research-based knowledge within their communities. Participants complete four structured courses, an in-person field school, and contribute volunteer hours to earn their certification. Zara began her journey as a Master Gardener in 2024.           

Zara has now completed the first two courses in the Master Gardener program and is filled with excitement as she begins the third. "The entire course is filled with ‘aha!’ moments," she explains. From learning about soil in the first module to experimenting with various gardening techniques, she finds the learning process deeply engaging and enriching. Zara is aiming to become a Certified Master Gardener by 2027.

One of the most powerful aspects of Zara’s journey is her desire to inspire others in her community. As one of the first people from Labrador to enroll in Master Gardener courses, she hopes her story will encourage more people from the region to pursue this invaluable knowledge. "I’ve already convinced one of my colleagues to enroll in the program," she shares proudly.

When asked about advice for anyone considering starting the Master Gardener program, Zara wholeheartedly recommends it. "If you love gardening, you’ll learn so much, and it’s fun! Don’t be afraid to start, even if you know little about it," she advises. Her belief in the power of experience shines through as she emphasizes that mistakes are part of the learning process, and each mistake offers an opportunity to grow. "Experience is what makes you a successful gardener," she says.

As Zara’s continues her gardening journey, she is not only growing her own knowledge but also laying the groundwork for a future filled with community sharing, a thriving garden, and a deeper connection with nature. With her Master Gardener certification in sight, Zara has clear plans for how she hopes to use the knowledge she’s gaining. Her dream is to create a backyard garden that is not only beautiful but also supportive of local wildlife, through flowers, vegetables, and berries that attract birds and bees. “If you truly love something, do it wholeheartedly. Love what you do - you never know how far it will take you,” she says.

For Zara, gardening is not just about growing plants - it’s about finding a sense of belonging. “When I work in the garden, I feel like I belong to nature. Nature accepts me as one of its own,” she says. “Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow,” she adds, highlighting the sense of hope and continuity that gardening offers.

The next Master Gardener Field School will be held May 25th - May 29 on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus.