The Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program is open to everyone with an interest in sustainable research-based gardening practices and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.
Program volunteers expand their gardening knowledge and serve communities throughout Clallam County. We hope you will consider joining this premier WSU program.
Master Gardener Training Course
WSU Clallam County Master Gardeners offer a training course in alternate years.
Applications are available now for 2026/27 training
To become a Clallam County Master Gardener volunteer, students complete online and in-person training. The online portion of the class is called the Washington Gardeners Certificate course (WGC) *. The WGC course offers flexible, remote and hybrid learning. This includes self-paced online reading and lectures and live online review sessions with subject matter experts from WSU. In person training includes 40 hours of hands-on local volunteer training, you’ll have the flexibility to learn at home and practice with fellow volunteers. The WGS is also available as a stand alone course for folks that do not wish to become a volunteer.
The 2026/27 training starts the first week of October and runs through the middle of February. The Washington Gardener’s Certificate content is arranged in modules, with assignments and activities the first three weeks of each month and the fourth week off. View the Washington Gardener’s Certificate content here. The course textbook, The Pacific Northwest Gardeners Handbook, is available for free.
In-person content will be scheduled differently depending on the location. In Port Angeles, 4-hour sessions are scheduled the first and third week of each month at Peninsula College. We’re currently considering Mondays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and hope to have a confirmation from PC by mid-August on the availability of classroom space. In-person Sessions for the Neah Bay Master Gardener training class will likely occur on Saturdays, but the final dates and schedule will be based on the feedback from students who enroll.
The Master Gardner training is a big commitment and includes reading, homework, quizzes, in-class activities, lectures, and a final exam. Students should expect to spend about 10 hours per week on these activities. An 80% is required on all quizzes and the final exam to pass the training. The training structure includes a mentor program that fosters a welcoming learning environment with the goal of supporting students in growing their sustainable gardening knowledge, feeling confident in accessing research-based, locally relevant garden information, and ultimately becoming community educators.
After completion of classes, Master Gardener Interns complete 100 hours of approved volunteer service over a period of two years to earn their Master Gardener Certification. Volunteer service hours include participating in sustainable gardening public education activities, diagnosing plant problems through the Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinic, working in demonstration gardens and community gardens, and serving on Master Gardener committees and projects. Volunteers may work with children or vulnerable adults and therefore must complete an industry standard background check.
Scholarships are available!
Tuition for the training is $275 plus the cost of a background check and an optional soil test (for use in class activities). The Master Gardener Program is open to all who desire to become a volunteer community educator in sustainable gardening, regardless of ability to pay for training. Please email laurel.moulton@wsu.edu for a scholarship application.
Information sessions are scheduled:
- Friday, July 10th, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Port Angeles Library
- Saturday, July 11th, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Neah Bay Marina conference room
- Thursday, August 6, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. online on Zoom
- Saturday, August 8, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Neah Bay Marina conference room
- Friday, August 14, 4:30-5:30 at Sequim Library
If you missed the application period for the 2026/27 class you may join the list to be notified applications are available for the next training in October 2028:
Master Gardener Training Interest
Sign-up here to be notified about the next WSU Clallam County Master Gardener Training. We look forward to growing with you!What Do Master Gardeners Do?
- Serve the community and enjoy the camaraderie of great people who love gardening, learning, and serving.
- Assist the public diagnosing their plant problems, and learning sustainable garden practices through Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinics (in person and online).
- Conduct classes, workshops, and demonstrations for the general public about a wide variety of horticulture topics.
- Develop and present fun and stimulating plant and gardening related educational programs for school children across Clallam County.
- Staff Master Gardener information booths at the Clallam County Fair, the Sequim Garden Gala, and other events.
- Participate in the design, development, and maintenance of demonstration gardens such as the Woodcock Demonstration Garden and Arboretum in Sequim and the Fifth Street Community Garden in Port Angeles. Participation in these gardens includes donating vegetables, herbs and fruit produced to local food banks and soup kitchens. Master Gardeners located in Forks, Clallam Bay or Neah Bay are encouraged to support community gardens, food sovereignty and sustainable gardening in their home communities.
- Assist with new Master Gardener training classes and provide mentorship to new Master Gardener through the training and internship process.
- Participate in continuing education to further develop personal gardening knowledge and skills.
- Conduct or participate in fundraising events through the Master Gardener Foundation of Clallam County to support the educational mission of the Master Gardener Program, including maintaining demonstration gardens. Fundraising efforts include an annual plant sale, the Petals and Pathways Garden Tour and more.