Become a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer or Take our Home Horticulture Course
We are excited to announce that we are transitioning from county-led courses to two statewide courses a year held in the spring and fall. Not all Extension offices will participate, so check the list below to confirm courses are offered for your area. If your area is not listed, please reach out to your local Extension office and ask about when they are holding their next class. Participants can expect a robust, college-level standardized curriculum across the state, with specialized county-level training.
Home Horticulture Course (18-Week Course)
The 18-week Home Horticulture Course provides the same science-based gardening information Master Gardeners receive without the commitment to serve as a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer. Course fees are $500 plus the cost of purchasing your Arizona Master Gardener Manual from the University of Arizona Bookstore.
Certified Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course (20-Week Course)
Master Gardeners are community educators who volunteer to provide information on home gardening and landscaping to their communities. Trained by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners help promote environmentally responsible gardening, water conservation, and healthy communities through expert, science-based information.
What do Master Gardeners do?
- Answer landscape and gardening questions.
- Perform outreach and education in the community, which may include public speaking.
- Depending on the county, they provide maintenance at an approved garden or at a Cooperative Extension Demonstration Garden.
- Support Master Gardener events, fundraising, and other program efforts.
How do I become a certified Master Gardener?
- Complete and submit a course application by December 1st.
- Go through the interview and selection process
- Complete the Certified Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course.
- Complete additional volunteer training and hands-on labs.
- Complete your county’s yearly required volunteer hours within one year after course completion.
Submit training course application
About the training course
- Course dates: Online course opens January 11 and class starts January 14.
- Course delivery location: Online, anywhere with an internet connection, usually in the convenience of the home.
- Required weekly Zoom meetings: Tuesday morning and evening sessions to choose from each week.
- Tuition: $350 non-refundable payment, and it is your responsibility to purchase the AZ Master Gardener Manual. Financial aid is available through your county. Please note on the application if you need it, and your county will send you an application.
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 based on a demonstrated willingness to volunteer in the community.
- Invited applicants will participate in an interview process via in-person or Zoom in May/June with Master Gardener Program staff and select Master Gardener volunteers.
- Agreement to uphold the program mission, its policies, and to participate in the University of Arizona's Designated Campus Colleague (DCC) system is 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
- Love of plants
Course format
Using the University of Arizona’s science and research-based education resources, the Certified Master Gardener Training Course is delivered through Brightspace, an online classroom.
- Students complete the online training portion from home at a time that is convenient for them during the week.
- A weekly live Zoom meeting will provide an opportunity for additional expert training, questions, and personal interaction.
- The University of Arizona’s science- and research-based training materials will provide students with a rich educational experience in home gardening and landscaping.
Course and weekly time requirements
- 6-8 hours of weekly study time, reading, and videos, a weekly quiz, and assignments at your convenience. Including a weekly 1-hour required live Zoom meeting. Meetings will be on Tuesday from 11:00 am -12:00 pm or 6:00 pm -7:00 pm.
Graduate from the Certified Master Gardener Volunteer Course by:
- Attending the weekly Discussion group with no more than 3 absences
- Completing all weekly quizzes and assignments
- Complete Final Exam with at least 70%
Course outline (subject to change and vary by county)
- Foundations of Horticulture- Basic Botany, Plant Growth Environments (air, sun, soil, water relationships to plants)
- Landscaping Principles- Basic Landscapes, Landscape Trees, Landscape Plants, Pruning, Irrigation
- Growing Food- Selection, planting, and care of fruit, herbs & vegetables
- Plant Problems- Pests, Diseases and Abiotic Problems, Plant Problem Analysis, and Integrative Pest Management
County-specific training
- Your county will have specific topics for your region in applicable modules
- Your county will also host workshops and events to help build community with other Master Gardener volunteers and provide additional training that will help you succeed as a volunteer.