Become a Master Gardener

The Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course is offered twice a year, the Spring session starts in January and a Fall session starts in July, yearly. The Fall 2024 master gardener volunteer application is now closed. If you would like to be notified when the Maricopa County Spring 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course application opens Click Here. Please check back in August for spring 2025.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Maricopa County trains Master Gardener Volunteers. Master Gardeners are active volunteers providing education on the best practices in home landscape and gardening to their communities.

Using research and science-based information from the University of Arizona, Master Gardeners help create more sustainable gardens and more livable cities better prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

Spring 2025 Volunteer Training Course

January- May,2025

Tuition: $375.00 non-refundable payment. Limited scholarships funds may be available.

If you are interested in taking a course without the volunteer component, please check out our Home Horticulture course. Click here for the Home Horticulture course webpage.

Master Gardener Volunteers provide:

  • Answers to landscape and gardening questions
  • Outreach and education in the community
  • Mentorship for Master Gardeners in training
  • Maintenance of the Demo Garden and landscape at the Cooperative Extension Office
  • Event planning and other program support
  • Master Gardener certification requires graduation from the 17-week training course and logging 50 volunteer hours (20 hours minimum during training course +30 additional hours completed within one year of graduation). Ongoing volunteering is required for recertification. Master Gardeners recertification requires volunteers to log a minimum of 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each calendar year after the initial certification. 
  • Location: Course location is online anywhere with an internet connection, usually in the convenience of the home.
  • A computer or tablet connected to the internet, and use of the Zoom platform are required for this online course.

Acceptance into the Course

There are routinely more qualified applicants for the program than available openings. Many successful applicants have applied more than once.

  • Selection is not first-come first-served, but on a demonstrated willingness to volunteer in the community.
  • Invited applicants will participate in an interview process with Master Gardener Program staff and select Master Gardener volunteers.
  • 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 and education delivery
  • Customer service
  • Curiosity and a desire to learn
  • Organization and attention to detail
  • Experience or strong interest in plants, gardens and landscapes

Asynchronous Course Format:

Using University of Arizona’s education resources, the Master Gardener Training Course is delivered through Desire 2 Learn (D2L), an online classroom.

  • Students engage in the online training portion from their home at a time that is convenient for them during the week.
  • A weekly live Zoom meeting will provide an opportunity for questions and personal interaction. Trainees will be organized into small groups of 6-9 people to create meaningful online interaction preparing them for volunteering in their community.
  • The University of Arizona’s research-based training material will give students rich educational experience in home gardening and landscaping.

Course and Weekly Time Requirements:

  • 5-6 hours of weekly study time, reading and videos, weekly quiz, and assignments at the convenience of your schedule.
  • 1 hour required weekly live Zoom meetings with your assigned small group and Master Gardener Mentor. Trainees may not miss more than 3 weekly meetings and absences must be made up during the 17-week course to be considered for graduation.
  • 20 hours minimum of approved volunteer hours are required during the 17-week course to graduate.

Trainees in the Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course must complete the following to graduate:

  • Complete the University of Arizona Designated Campus Colleague
  • Attend the weekly Discussion group with no more than 3 missed and made up absences
  • Complete all weekly quizzes and assignments
  • Complete and turn-in course Wrap-Up
  • Volunteer and log a minimum of 20 volunteer hours during the 17-week training course to graduate as an Associate. Associates have one year from the date of graduation to complete a total of 50 volunteer hours (20 hours minimum during training course +30 additional hours) to become a Certified Master Gardener.                                                        

Course Outline:

Orientation, Practice Week
Botany – Part 1
Botany – Part 2
Soil, Water & Plant Relationships
Soil, Fertilizer & Composting
Vegetable Gardening
Irrigation
Entomology
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Plant Problem Diagnosis
Plant Selection, Planting and Care
Landscape Design
Turf and Weed Management
Pruning Tree and Shrubs
Citrus
Cacti & Succulents
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.