About Us
Mission Statement
Pima County Master Gardener volunteers, directed and supported by University of Arizona faculty and staff, educate residents by providing unbiased research-based horticulture practices and information that promote the development of healthy, sustainable communities.
Who we are
Pima County "Master Gardeners" are university-trained volunteers who serve as community educators. We work with the University of Arizona and help expand the reach of the Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program. With the support of program staff Master Gardeners provide research-based information on environmentally responsible gardening and landscaping to the public through a wide variety of educational and outreach activities.
Plant Clinic
While our office and popular "walk in" plant clinic remain closed due to Covid-19, our dedicated and knowledgeable volunteers are still available to support your home gardening interests. We've even developed a new submittal form to better serve you. Please reach out to the Master Gardener Plant Clinic with your home horticulture questions, by using our submittal form and one of our amazing, University-trained, extension Master Gardener volunteers will get back to you with relevant, locally appropriate advice and resources.
If including photos with you inquiry, please make sure your photos are in focus and the plant/symptoms you want reviewed are clear and obvious, not obscured by glaring sunlight or shade. Including a ruler, pencil or coin in your picture may be helpful for scale.
Services
- Free Plant Clinics to answer plant and gardening questions by phone, walk-in or email
- Presentations and Classes on gardening, landscaping, and water use. Classes are conducted in Tucson at the Extension Office, 4210 N. Campbell
- Information Booths at various farmers markets and community events
- Bi-Annual Plant Sales held in April and October
- Annual Home Garden Tour – demonstrating the home gardens of Master Gardener Extension Volunteers and conducting appropriate garden topic lectures/demonstrations at those homes
- Public Demonstration Gardens – maintaining themed gardens, providing educational material for visitors, and leading free tours
- Technical Assistance to educational organizations and institutions
- Community Outreach such as working with Juvenile Court Gardens, the Haven and La Amigas treatment centers for women
There are currently approximately 180 active University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers here in Pima County.
One of the many functions of the Master Gardener Volunteers is to staff the Plant Clinic. They answer landscape and gardening questions over the phone or examine plant samples brought into the clinics.
Persons qualify to become Master Gardener Volunteers by completing a 50-hour training course and giving 50 hours of service to one or more of the approved Master Gardener Projects. The classes, which are held in Tucson at the Extension Office, 4210 N. Campbell, are specifically designed to train people to be University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Volunteers. This is not just a gardening class.
Following the course, graduates enter an intern period for up to one year during which the initial minimum 50 hours volunteer service is given (including 30 hours working at the Demonstration Gardens, 20 hours in the Plant Clinic, and helping with one library garden talk). When the internship has been completed the intern receives full Master Gardener Volunteer status.
Each year after that, to maintain Master Gardener Volunteer status, a volunteer must participate in at least 50 hours of approved service activities and complete 10 hours of continuing training annually.
Master Gardener Volunteers also present landscape and gardening programs throughout the city. Demonstrations and "Ask a Master Gardener" sessions are held from October through April at various public libraries. Master Gardener Extension Volunteers are also guest speakers at civic groups, help with community gardens, and lead a wide variety of gardening-related educational programs.
For more information contact the Pima County Cooperative Extension Center in Tucson at 520-626-5161, or the Pima County Cooperative Extension Satellite Office in Green Valley at 520-648-0808.