Become a Master Gardener
Being a MG is about service:
Once you graduate from your internship and are a certified Master Gardener, it’s your turn to start sharing your University-backed knowledge with members of your community.
You can do this in a number of ways. Search below to find ways to best match your interests with Master Gardener Program Priorities.
Quick Links
Washington Green School
Master Gardener Training will now be done on the state level with the new WSU Extension Green School.
Green School offers two distinct tracks in its online course:
- Earn a Washington Gardener Certificate – for individuals looking to enhance their gardening skills through research-based horticultural and environmental stewardship.
- Become a Master Gardener and volunteer in your community helping your friends and neighbors with yard and garden problem.
Application Period (for Master Gardener Volunteer): July 2 – September 12, with acceptance/denial by Sept 15.
- 2025 Application-fillable (PDF)
- Registration for Green School classes is August 15 – Sept 30.
- Classes begin Oct 5.
- Visit the Green School website for more information
- For more information or to be added to our email list, please contact Janice at 509-243-2009, ext 1 or janice.reed@wsu.edu
- Complete online training
- Complete quizzes with an average of 80%
- Complete final exam with at least an 80%
- Earn a Washington Gardener Certificate of Completion to list on your resume or use in marketing
- Complete application
- Complete background check
- Sign volunteer commitment
- Complete everything in the Washington Gardener track
- Attend local volunteer training
- Agree to volunteer at least 40 hours in the first year to earn WSU Extension Master Gardener certification. Agree to volunteer at least 25 hours per year and earn at least 10 hours of continuing education per year to maintain certification.
GivePulse:
Once you have found a volunteering opportunity to match your interest, we use a service called GivePulse so that WSU can track your volunteer hours against its program priorities. This is a key activity for WSU to gain and retain Federal funding against certain activities. So please remember to enter all your volunteering activity in GivePulse.