Home Horticulture Course

The Home Horticulture Course brings science-based information on home gardening and landscaping to the public. This course is for personal enrichment and does not lead to becoming a Master Gardener volunteer. 
 

Fall 2025 Home Horticulture Course Registration is now closed. 

If you are interested in the Spring 2026 course, please provide your contact information on the form. Click Here for form.

 

If you are interested in becoming a Maricopa County Master Gardener volunteer instead, please visit https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/maricopa-county-master-gardeners/join for more information.

Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Home Horticulture Courses are offered twice a year

  • Spring session: January – May
  • Fall Session: July – November

Tuition: $375.00 non-refundable. 

Course Materials: Additional $55 (plus shipping and tax) to purchase AZ Master Gardener Manual ordered through University of Arizona Bookstore. Order online here.

Spring 2026 Course

Tentative Dates January 8-May 15, 2026

Online 

  •  anywhere with an internet connection, usually in the convenience of the home
  • delivered through University of Arizona Desire 2 Learn (D2L), an online classroom
  • access to computer or tablet connected to the internet, and use of the Zoom platform are required

This Course Provides

  • Arizona Master Gardener manual and online lecture series used during training of Master Gardener volunteers.
  • Gardening and general horticulture topics and practices to prepare graduates to meet gardening challenges specific to the desert environment of Maricopa County.
  • Information on environmentally responsible gardening and landscaping practices.
  • Training for finding the most authoritative sources to answer questions about gardening and landscape topics.            

Weekly Time Requirements

  • 5-7 hours weekly engaging with course readings, videos, activity assignments, and quizzes
  • 1-hour weekly group discussion Thursdays 6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Certificate of Completion Requirements

  • Weekly assignments
  • Weekly quizzes
  • Final exam with at least 70%

For further information about the Home Horticulture training course, see our Frequently Asked Question doc.

Course Outline

Week 1: Orientation, Practice Week
Week 2: Botany – Part 1
Week 3: Botany – Part 2
Week 4: Soil, Water & Plant Relationships
Week 5: Soil, Fertilizer & Composting
Week 6: Vegetable Gardening
Week 7: Irrigation
Week 8: Entomology
Week 9: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Week 10: Plant Problem Diagnosis
Week 11: Plant Selection, Planting and Care
Week 12: Landscape Design
Week 13: Turf and Weed Management
Week 14: Pruning Tree and Shrubs
Week 15: Citrus
Week 16: Cacti & Succulents
Week 17: Wrap up, Final

We look forward to seeing you!

Contact Program Coordinator: MCCE-MasterGardenerProgram@arizona.edu 

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as sign language interpreter, by contacting the Master Gardener Program Coordinator, 602-827-8211. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.