Become a Coconino 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. Coconino 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 others. 

Master Gardener Certification and Home Horticulture Courses

Spring 2026 Master Gardener Volunteer Course

  • Course Dates: January 20 - May 12, 2026
  • Course Day/Time: Weekly on Tuesdays from 9 – 12:30
  • Course Location: 2304 N 3rd St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 - Coconino County Cooperative Extension Office.
  • Tuition: $275.00 non-refundable payment. Includes the AZ Master Gardener Manual.

Track 1: Master Gardener Volunteer Track 

The Master Gardener Volunteer Course is offered once per year. The online course will be offered again in spring 2027.

SPRING 2026 CLICK FOR APPLICATION. Applications close 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2025. Invitations to participate in the course will be emailed in mid-December.

Acceptance Into the Course

  • There may be more qualified applicants for the program than available openings.
  • Selection is not first-come first-served, but on a demonstrated willingness to volunteer in the community by participating in outreach activities related to educating community members about gardening.
  • Agreement to uphold the program mission, its policies, and participation in the University of Arizona's Designated Campus Colleague (DCC) system are all required for acceptance into the program.

Important Skills for Master Gardeners

  • Public speaking, writing, and education delivery
  • Customer service
  • Curiosity and a desire to learn
  • Organization and attention to detail
  • Experience with or strong interest in plants, gardens, and landscapes

Requirements to become a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer

  • Attend each weekly class and complete assignments
  • Pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher
  • Contribute 50 volunteer service hours within 13 months of completion of the online course
  • After certification, commit to 12 volunteer hours and 6 continuing education hours to maintain your Arizona Master Gardener Certification each year

 

Track 2: Home Horticulture Certificate Track

This track is for those who do not wish to volunteer but would like the information available in the course. There is no volunteer service required for this track. You will not earn the title Arizona Certified Master Gardener. Instead, you will earn an Arizona Certificate of Home Horticulture. 

Track 2 might be best for you if you:

  • Have no time or interest in volunteering
  • Need to take the class as a requirement for a job
  • Are interested in learning the science of gardening for your own personal knowledge and projects

CLICK HERE FOR THE HOME HORTICULTURE TRACK WAITLIST – We will be filling any remaining seats in our Master Gardener Training Course with people from this waitlist. Please fill out this form if you are interested in this track.

Requirements to earn an Arizona Certificate of Home Horticulture

  • Attend each weekly class and complete assignments
  • Pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher

Contact Elizabeth Johnson at epjohnson@arizona.edu with any questions about becoming a Master Gardener.