In 2008, the Home Horticulture Working Group voted on and approved curricular standards for annual Master Gardener training for new volunteers. As you start to put your schedule of classes together for 2020, please take a moment to review the standards, and be sure that your class content aligns with current guidance.
Training must consist of at least 40 hours of training time. This time can include time in class, time spent on online course modules, and time spent on practical or hands-on activities.
More detail on the suggested content of each class can be found in the Master Gardener Coordinators Manual section on Course Content.
OSU Faculty and Staff who teach classes: please take a moment to update your information and preferences for the 2020 teaching season in the Instructor Database in Box. You might also want to check out the Basic Training Resources folder in Box. Both of these are in our shared Master Gardener Program folder in Box. You need to have an OSU email in order to access these resources. If you can not access these resources, please contact Gail.
Required Courses: In order to be certified as an OSU Master Gardener volunteer, all trainees must complete each of these three classes.
- The OSU Master Gardener Program
- Understanding Pesticides
- Basic Botany
Plant Problem Diagnosis: Choose at least 2 of the following classes.
- Diagnostics
- Insect ID
- Plant Pathology
- Weed ID and Management
- Vertebrate pest management
- Resources for Master Gardeners
Sustainable Gardening: Choose at least 2 of the following classes.
- Soils and Fertilizers
- Compost
- Integrated Pest Management
- Sustainable Landscape Design
- Organic Gardening
- Gardening for Wildlife
- Rain Gardens
- Water Quality
- Waterwise Gardening
- Native Plants
- Invasive Species
Backyard and Community Food Production: Choose at least 2 of the following classes
- Organic Gardening
- Vegetable Gardening
- Small Fruits
- Home Orchards
- Herbs
- Container Gardening
- Compost
Elective Classes: Choose as many classes as are necessary to round out curricular content.
- Herbaceous Ornamental Plants
- Houseplants
- Lawns
- Localized Gardening (Coastal, Valley, High Desert, etc.)
- Pruning
- Woody Ornamental Plants