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  Register Here

Registration closes 11:59 p.m. June 23, 2025.

 

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.

Fall 2025 Course

July 11, 2025-November 13, 2025

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.