Become a Pinal County Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are highly trained volunteers that invest their time and talents in local Arizona communities to grow food, support pollinators, sustain resilient home gardens and share their knowledge with others. Pinal County is always looking for those with an interest in environmentally responsible landscaping and gardening and who have a desire to teach those skills to other. Contact Anne LeSenne with any questions about becoming a Master Gardener

Master Gardener Certification and Home Horticulture Courses

Master Gardener Training classes are taught by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension faculty, industry professionals and other horticulture experts. Students will learn the fundamentals of selecting, installing, and maintaining healthy, appropriate landscapes and gardens for Pinal County.

  • Training for Pinal County Master Gardeners are open all year and available online.
  • The course costs $200 and the cost of the Arizona Master Gardener manual which is available through the University of Arizona Bookstore.
  • You can expect about 5 hours of study time per week and 25 hours of volunteer service during the first year to become certified.

The Home Horticulture Course is an option for those wanting the knowledge of Master Gardener training but do not want to become certified Master Gardeners. The cost for the course is $200 and does not require a volunteer commitment.

Topics Covered

  • Botany**
  • Cacti and Succulents**
  • Citrus
  • Desert-Adapted and Native Plants**
  • Xeriscape, Herbaceous Ornamentals
  • Entomology**
  • Irrigation and Landscape Watering**
  • Landscape Design
  • Integrated Pest Management**
  • Soils and Fertilizers
  • Tree and Shrub Pruning**
  • Turf**
  • Vegetable and Herbs**
  • Plant Propagation

**Topics covered during the Home Horticulture Course

Graduation Requirements

  • Complete the course and quizzes
  • Complete a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours of approved volunteer service within Pinal County during the year of the training course and submit these hours to the Volunteer Tracking System.
  • Complete registration as a University of Arizona Designated Campus Colleague (DCC)
  • To maintain Certified Master Gardener status, a minimum of 25 volunteer hours and 6 continuing education hours are required per calendar year.