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Umatilla County Master Gardeners

Photo: LeAnn Locher and Amanda Woodlee (Cropped from original)
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Become a Master Gardener

Master Gardeners are highly educated volunteers who share their sustainable gardening knowledge with their communities through education and outreach programs. Master Gardener training classes are taught by OSU Extension agents and horticultural experts. The program offers basic, practical courses in plant science and home horticulture.

Master the art and the science of caring for plants

Learn about:

  • Local-climate gardening techniques
  • Basic botany
  • Methods for growing vegetables, lawns, fruit trees, and landscape plants
  • Garden types (e.g., container or vegetable)
  • Soil management and plant nutrition
  • Pest identification and control methods using the least-toxic approach
  • Prevention and diagnosis of plant problems
Photo by Stephen Ward (Cropped from original)

Who can become a Master Gardener?

The Master Gardener program is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the effective and sustainable management of their home horticultural landscape, including professional and hobbyist gardeners. There are no prerequisites to participate in the course, although a basic understanding of plants is helpful.

How do I become a Master Gardener?

Step 1: Complete the Master Gardener training

Training consists of a mixture of online learning modules, in-person workshops, virtual Q&A sessions, and volunteer opportunities.

  • The online learning modules are set up so you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule. They cover the cornerstones of horticulture, from soil science to pest management, and consist of recorded lectures, selected readings, an assignment/activity, further resources, and a quiz.
  • The in-person workshops are designed to reinforce and supplement the course material and will be conducted by OSU faculty, experienced Master Gardener volunteers, and other experts. They are hands-on, generally last a couple of hours, can be indoors or outdoors, and may involve physical activity or prolonged periods of sitting, standing, or walking.
  • The virtual Q&A sessions will be one hour a week on Zoom. These are opportunities to check in, dive deeper, and ask questions concerning the modules, the Master Gardener program, or gardening in general. Guests can include OSU experts and current Master Gardener volunteers.
  • The volunteer opportunities are a vital part of training, as volunteering is at the heart of the Master Gardener volunteer program. They are selected and designed to spread your growing knowledge and love of gardening through community garden work, tables at farmers' markets and other community events, plant sales, educational programming, and more.

Registration for the 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training course is now closed. To request notification when registration opens for 2026, please use this form.

Step 2: Complete volunteer hours

The other half of Master Gardener certification is fulfilling 40 volunteer hours on behalf of the program. There are many ways trainees can do so, including:

  • Answering telephone/email requests for gardening information
  • Helping at one of the community gardens we oversee or support
  • Staffing plant clinics at local garden shows or community events
  • Working on projects with local schools
  • Speaking at local garden clubs
  • Completing an approved project of your own design

The local Master Gardener coordinator and Association will help you schedule volunteer time. For more information see the Master Gardener Volunteer Position Description. This describes the responsibilities, as well as position requirements and supervision.

Step 3: Recertify each year

Current Master Gardeners can maintain their status by participating in 10 continuing-education hours and 20 volunteer hours each year. Contact the local Master Gardener coordinator for more information.

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