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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.

Registration is currently open for the ONLINE hybrid Master Gardener Training starting June 30! Scroll to see more information. Or contact one of our Program Coordinators listed below.

 
buckets of flowers

Let us help you grow.

Good Growing podcast episodes

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

Listen here

Have questions about gardening? We can help.

The Master Gardener Help Desk is a community service provided by Master Gardener programs across the nation. Our Master Gardener Help Desks are open from April to October in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties.

To reach a Master Gardener, individuals can call or stop by a local Extension office during Help Desk hours. Feel free to send them an question via email at any time. Volunteers will assess your question and reply with a research-based answer. 

Each growing season, trained volunteers field questions from fellow residents on trees, shrubs, lawns, flowers, vegetables, and other plant-related topics. 

Boone County Help Desk Info

Hours: Monday through Thursday | 1 to 4 p.m.

 

DeKalb County Help Desk Info

Hours: Vary

Ogle County Help Desk Info

Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4 p.m.

Follow our new Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Facebook page!

Grow, learn, and give back with Illinois Extension in Boone, DeKalb, and Ogle counties. Master Gardeners support community gardens and share research‑based gardening knowledge, while Master Naturalists help restore and protect local natural areas. This page will keep you up to date on the latest programming, workshops, and educational materials in our communities.

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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
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

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

September
3- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
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
15- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting
9:00 AM at the Boone County Extension Meeting Room, 205 Cadillac Ct, Ste 5, Belvidere, IL 61008

November
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting, 
5:00 PM at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library, 619 4th Ave, Rochelle, IL 61068
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

May
7- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
7- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
12- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
20- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
20- Gaderner's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes
21- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda

April
2- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda/Minutes (Volunteer Recognition Night)
14- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
21- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
22- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes

March
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
10- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
10- DeKalb County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
18- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Agenda
18- Gardener's Pathway Committee Meeting Minutes
19-Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes

February
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
5- Ogle County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes
10-DeKalb Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
17- Garden Walk Committee Meeting Agenda
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Agenda
19- Boone County Master Gardener Meeting Minutes

 

Announcements and highlights from Boone, DeKalb and Ogle Counties

Explore upcoming events and recent achievements here.

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