Zara Munas's passion for gardening began growing up in Sri Lanka when she used to help her grandmother grow greens, chillies, bananas, okra and more. By the age of 26, she had turned her love of planting into a business growing orchids.
When she moved to Labrador, she brought her love of gardening with her. She began volunteering at a farm in her community and eventually decided to deepen her knowledge by signing up for the Master Gardener Training Program through Extended Learning at Dalhousie's Faculty of Agriculture.
“I realized there was so much I didn’t know about gardening,” she says.
For many people like Zara, gardening is more than just a hobby — it’s a way to connect with nature, learn, and grow. Zara embodies this passion and brings a wealth of experience and her deep love for plants to the program.
Zara first learned about the Atlantic Master Gardener program 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.
Learning by doing
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 as an Atlantic Master Gardener.
The next Master Gardener Field School will be held May 25-29 on the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus.
Zara in her garden.
Zara, whose journey to becoming a Master Gardener began in 2024, has now completed the first two courses in the 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 says.
'Love what you do'
When asked about advice for anyone considering starting the 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 an opportunity to grow. "Experience is what makes you a successful gardener," she says.
If you love gardening, you’ll learn so much.
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.