Idaho Master Gardener Program

Idaho Master Gardener Program

University of Idaho Extension’s Idaho Master Gardener Program provides gardeners with opportunities to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills as well as serve their communities. The program is a valuable resource in helping educate Idaho’s citizens about the art and science of growing and caring for plants and landscapes in a scientifically sustainable way.

Today, nearly 80% of households in the U.S. participate in gardening. From small balcony gardens to large community gardens, many citizens today learn how to garden from information gleaned off the internet. Although the internet is full of useful information about gardening, it can be difficult to discern between good information and bad information — even for the expert gardener.

That is where the Idaho Master Gardener Program can assist. Our certified Idaho Master Gardeners provide residents of their community with answers to gardening questions and solve gardening problems by providing them with reliable, relevant and research-based information.

Idaho master gardeners not only learn important gardening skills, but they also develop a deeper understanding of important life skills such as conflict resolution, resource utilization, communication, leadership, goal setting, critical thinking and problem-solving, marketing, healthy lifestyle choices, stress and disease management, lifelong learning skills and more.

The program is open to anyone who is interested in becoming a certified Idaho Master Gardener to share gardening knowledge with the public through community outreach and education. Master gardeners bring a diverse background of knowledge and experience and enrich the program in their community by:

• Operating free plant diagnostic clinics in their local UI Extension office
• Mentoring youth in youth community and school gardens
• Writing for newspapers
• Teaching community gardening classes and workshops
• Maintaining websites, blogs and actively sharing information through social media outlets
• Maintaining demonstration and mentoring at community gardens
• Leading 4-H clubs, after-school programs and Junior Master Gardener classes
• Writing books and brochures for the public

Course schedules

Learn more about the requirements to become an Idaho Master Gardener and where programs are offered near you.  

Handbook

The Idaho Master Gardener Program Handbook is a valuable resource for any gardener. View or download a copy.

History of master gardeners

In 1970, David Gibby, Ph.D., then the Washington State University Extension agent in King County, was busy delivering research-based gardening information to the public through mass media. This approach only served to increase the public’s demand for reliable horticulture information. Demand made it difficult for Gibby to respond to calls his Extension office was receiving.

As a result, Gibby decided to create a program where he would recruit and train residents to respond to gardeners’ questions. In 1973, the first training was offered to approximately 200 residents and thus marked the birth of Extension’s Master Gardener program. The Master Gardener program became an instant success. In 1976, the first UI Extension Idaho Master Gardener Program was offered in Ada and Canyon counties. Today, there are 32 counties in Idaho, all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and South Korea that have the Master Gardener program.