The Extension Master Gardener program was established in Missouri in 1983 and provides in-depth horticultural training for Missourians who wish to share their knowledge of gardening. The mission of the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener program is to support MU Extension by providing trained volunteers to assist in public horticulture education.
This course prepares Extension Master Gardeners in topics related to soils, plant nutrition, vegetables, fruits, ornamental woody plants, herbaceous plants, plant propagation, disease and insect control, lawn care, residential landscape, environmental stewardship, and safe use of pest management strategies.
Extension Master Gardener volunteers assist MU Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate, answer frequently asked gardening questions, teach through demonstration gardens, donate produce, present as speakers' bureaus, and share information.
To become trained as an Extension Master Gardener, an individual must attend a 36-hour training and provide 30 hours of volunteer service back to their community.
Locations with Boone County will be provided throughout the course. Lectures will be held at the Boone County Extension Office from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Two hands-on activities will occur on Saturday from 10 am to Noon at Jefferson Farm and Garden.
Schedule includes:
- January 23 - Program Orientation
- January 30 - Plants and Their Environment
- February 6 - Soils, Plant Nutrition and Nutrient Management
- February 8 - Pruning Trees
- February 13 - Preventing and Managing Plant Diseases
- February 20 - Insects
- February 27 - Turf and Lawn Maintenance
- March 6 - Plant Propagation
- March 13 - Vegetables
- March 15 - All American Select Plug Planting (Optional hands on at Jefferson Farm and Garden from 10 am to Noon with weather date March 22)
- Mar 20 - Fruits
- Mar 27 - Establishment and Care of Woody Ornamentals
- April 3 - Establishment and Care of Herbaceous Ornamentals
- April 5 - Using Pesticides Safely in the Home and Garden (hands-on at Jefferson Farm and Garden from 10 am to Noon with weather date April 12)
- April 10 - Residential Landscape and Graduation
Registration deadline: 1/21/2025
Cost: $200
Contact: Debi Kelly, kellyd@missouri.edu; 573-445-9792.
