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Coronavirus COVID-19

COVID-19 Advisory: WSU Extension is working to keep our communities safe. All Extension programming is being provided virtually, postponed, or canceled. Effective March 16, 2020, WSU Extension county offices and WSU Research & Extension Centers will be closed to the public. We are available via email, phone, and webconference.

Master Gardener Training

(425) 338-2400

Updated August 7, 2020

Covid-19 Impact

As a minimum in 2021, we expect to offer the same Horticulture Training that Master Gardeners receive without the volunteer commitment of becoming a Master Gardener. Details are still being worked out, but the plan is for the classes to be held online Saturday mornings January through April. Those whose goal is to become a WSU Certified Master Gardener Volunteer may need to wait until Covid-19 restrictions allow for in-person training, which may not be until 2022. Additional details will be announced on this page as they are decided. To be notified when applications become available, please send an e-mail to Master Gardener Coordinator Howard Voland (email).

Become a Volunteer Master Gardener

Subject to change because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Join over 350 WSU-Snohomish County Extension Master Gardener (MG) volunteers in teaching good gardening and related horticulture and environmental stewardship practices to Snohomish County residents while at the same time learning and and having fun working with other like-minded volunteers.

Cost and Application

Subject to change because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Tuition for this extensive training program (pdf) is $295 plus a minimum volunteer commitment of 40 hours each year for two years working on designated MG projects within Snohomish County. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and should generally be a resident of Snohomish County. Applications for the 2021 MG Training Class should be available this Fall.

Cost of the training without the volunteer commitment is $795 for a limited number of full-tuition students, which are usually, but not limited to, horticultural professionals who don’t have the time for volunteering. Full-tuition application information is available on the Horticulture Professionals webpage.

Training

Subject to change because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Training focuses on familiarization and learning how to use resources to research, educate, mentor, and answer horticulture questions for the general public in a collaborative environment. With that in mind, all quizzes and exams are open book and can be re-taken. No memorization is required.

Training includes approximately 80 hours of college-level classroom and workshop instruction held once a week on Thursdays, starting the second week of January through March. Classes are held at the Extension Education Center at 600 – 128th Street in South Everett from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Homework averages 4-6 hours a week during training, which includes all quizzes and the final exam. It is done using the WSU Master Gardener Online Training Program, which requires personal computer, internet, and e-mail access.

Additional information

Washington State University