Maricopa County Master Gardener Training

Apply for the 2021 Spring course here.

Spring 2021 Master Gardener volunteer training course.

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension continues to train gardening enthusiasts of Maricopa County as Master Gardener Volunteers who through outreach and education help their fellow citizens grow better gardens and more sustainable landscapes.

Who Should Apply to be a Maricopa County Master Gardener Volunteer?

Anyone with an interest in environmentally responsible landscaping and gardening in the low desert AND a desire to teach those principles and skills in their community from research-based University of Arizona materials is a candidate for the Master Gardener program.

There are routinely more applicants for the program than available positions.

• Selection is not based on application date, but rather a demonstrated willingness to volunteer in the community and an understanding of the program and its goals.
• Gardening skills are desirable but not required for acceptance into the program.
• Agreement to uphold the program mission, its policies and participation in the University of Arizona's Designated Campus Colleague (DCC) system are all required before acceptance into the program.  

Class Format:

The University of Arizona is concerned with your health and the public’s safety; therefore, the Master Gardener training course will be delivered in an online format.

Using University of Arizona’s education resources, the Master Gardener Training Course Spring 2021 will be modified and delivered through Desire 2 Learn, an online classroom. Students will engage in the training material from their home assisted by University of Arizona staff and Master Gardener volunteers. A weekly live Zoom meeting will provide opportunity for questions and personal interaction. Trainees will be organized into small groups of like zip codes to create meaningful online interaction under the guidance of a Certified Master Gardener Mentor. We believe this format and the University of Arizona’s research-based training material will give students a rich educational experience in home gardening and landscaping and prepare them well for volunteering in their community.

A computer or tablet and internet service is required for this course.

Class Dates and Time:

2021 Spring Master Gardener Volunteer training class dates will begin the week of January 11th, 2021 for 17 consecutive weeks ending the week of May 3, 2021.

Class time is controlled by the trainee. The material is available each Monday and can be viewed and studied at the time most convenient to their schedule.

Class location:

Being an online class, the location can be anywhere with an internet connection, usually in the convenience of the home.

 Program Overview

Master Gardener Training classes are taught by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension faculty, industry professionals and other horticulture experts. Program Trainees will learn the fundamentals of selecting, installing, and maintaining healthy, appropriate landscapes and gardens for the Arizona low desert. The class fee is $279.00, this includes books and materials.

Class Topic Presentations will be delivered once a week for 17 consecutive weeks beginning the week of January 11th, 2021.

Class Topics include:

• Botany
• Plant Problem Diagnosis
• Soils and Fertilizers
• Entomology
• Pest Management
• Citrus
• Tree and Shrub Pruning
• Vegetables and Herbs
• Turf
• Desert-Adapted Landscape Plants
• Cacti and Succulents
• Composting
• Landscape Design
• Irrigation and Landscape Watering 

Graduation and Certification

Volunteer requirements for graduation in the following paragraph may be adjusted to fit the current restrictions on person to person contact during the 2021 Spring course.

To successfully complete the training program, participants must attend all classes and perform 20 hours of volunteer service during the 17-week course. To receive the title Certified Master Gardener, participants must have completed the training program and performed an additional 30 hours of volunteer service within 1 year. There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities made available during training. Volunteer opportunities include answering landscaping and gardening questions, planning, and managing events, working with school and community gardens and program administrative support.

To maintain Certified Master Gardener status, a minimum of 25 volunteer hours and 12 continuing education hours are required per calendar year.

Contact Rebecca Senior for further questions at rsenior@arizona.edu  

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as sign language interpreter, by contacting the Master Gardener Program Coordinator, 602-827-8200. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.