Home BDO Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners

What is a Master Gardener?

The program is open to any adult with an interest in plants and a desire to share that with others. Master Gardeners are a dedicated group, and many choose to return year after year to share their knowledge with others. The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program is for enthusiastic individuals who have completed training and agree to volunteer at least 40 hours within two years at their local University of Illinois Extension office. 

Certified Master Gardeners educate the public on topics such as improving landscapes, choosing plant varieties, water-saving tips, gardening tips, proper pest identification and management, growing their own produce, optimal mulching strategies, and composting. The only guideline is that the projects be educational and concern horticulture. You will work with the local Extension Unit Leaders to determine how best to spend your volunteer time.

Contact one of our Program Coordinators listed below with any questions.

 

Master Gardener Seed Libraries

About Seed Libraries

A Seed Library is a place where community members can get seeds for free.  Sharing seeds and resources helps promote biodiversity, food security, and sustainable gardening practices in our community. 

Library Organization 

The library is organized by vegetables, herbs, natives, and flowers, both annual and perennial. The collection of seeds varies greatly and is constantly changing due to donations and borrows. 

How to borrow and donate seeds

  1. Review the seeds that the library has available and make your selection.  You can ask for help from a Master Gardener if they are in the office, or the Office Support Staff.
  2. Fill out the checkout form and write down what seeds you are taking. This helps us keep track of inventory so we can restock.
  3. Please let someone know if you can't find a particular seed or variety.
  4. We only accept seed donations in unopened packages. We are currently not accepting donations of native seeds gathered in the wild.

You can also view the following video from the University of Illinois Extension for tips on saving seeds.

This video from The Land Conservancy of McHenry County covers the topic "How to Collect and Sow Native Plant Seeds."

If you are interested in collecting native seeds, you can read more about collecting native seeds here. 

 

Seed Libraries in Your Local Community

Our Master Gardeners partner with local libraries to create Seed Libraries in our communities. 

Boone County Seed Libraries

Ida Public Library 

DeKalb County Seed Libraries

DeKalb Public Library

Ogle County Seed Libraries

Flagg-Rochelle Public Library

Oregon Public Library

 

Good Growing podcast episodes

Listen to the podcast episodes about horticulture, ecology, and design with Horticulture Educators Christopher Enroth and Ken Johnson.

Listen here
red and orange leaves on tree and ground

Let us help you grow.

Let local staff help you grow:

2026

Master Gardener Meeting Dates

February
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
10- DeKalb Master Gardener Meeting
17- DeKalb Garden Walk Committee Meeting
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

March
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
10- DeKalb Master Gardener Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom & the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
17- DeKalb Garden Walk Committee Meeting (cancelled)
18- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom & the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

April
2- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM on Zoom and at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

May
7- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting (revised location), 
5:00 PM at Ogle County Extension office, 421 W Pines Rd, #10, Oregon, IL 61061
12- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM on Zoom and at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
19- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
20- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
21- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

June
4- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
5:00 PM at the Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
16- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
17- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
18- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

July
9- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting,
10:00 AM at DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178, and over Zoom
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

August
6- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
20- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
25- Garden Walk Committee Meeting
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

September
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
8- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
10:00 AM 
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

October
1- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
13- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
10:00 AM
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting 
9:00 AM via Zoom & in-person, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178
21- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting
10:00 AM via Zoom and the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 West Prairie Dr, Sycamore, IL 60178

November
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
10- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting
10:00 AM
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
6:00 PM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

December
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting
Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W Pines Rd, Ste 10, Oregon, IL 61061
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
5:00 PM TBD
 

Read Agendas & Minutes

October
1- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
1- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
13- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
13- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
21- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda

September
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
8- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
8- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
17- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
22- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
22- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Minutes

August
6- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
6- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
20- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
20- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
25- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
25- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Minutes
26- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
26- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes

July
9- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
9- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
16- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Minutes
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes

"Per 5 ILCS 120/2.06, historical minutes not displayed on this site remain permanently preserved as physical public records. They are available for public inspection or via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request at our Administrative Office."

Announcements and highlights from Boone, DeKalb and Ogle Counties

Explore upcoming events and recent achievements here.

Explore now!