McHenry County Master Gardeners

Take Your Love of Gardening to the Next Level

The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program open to anyone with the desire to learn and to share information with others about research-based landscape and gardening practices.

Master Gardeners connect with communities through a variety of projects in partnership with local organizations,  and they also staff the Master Gardener Help Desk by assisting residents with garden and landscape questions.

Volunteers participate in extensive training sessions conducted by University of Illinois Extension specialists and educators in horticulture, insects, diseases, grasses, woody and herbaceous ornamentals, and fruits and vegetables.

 

Join us for upcoming events near you

  • 2026 Seed Expo
  • 2026 Master Gardener Plant Sale
  • 2026 Farm Stroll

Let us help you grow

Become a Master Gardener

Interested in volunteering? You do not need to be an experienced gardener to qualify. If you are looking for a way to give back and to grow your knowledge of horticulture, this may be the opportunity for you.

If you are a Lake County resident and would like to receive information about the next Master Gardener training (tentatively scheduled for Winter/Spring 2026), please complete this Master Gardener Training Interest Form. You will be placed on our email list to receive information about the next informational meeting and the application process.

To become a Master Gardener, you must attend the orientation meeting to learn about our program and how to apply. The horticulture staff reviews all applications and will conduct interviews.  

The Master Gardener training includes 40 hours of horticultural training in a wide variety of topics. In return, trainees are required to volunteer 40 hours to the program, and staffing the Master Gardener Help Desk is required for the first 24 of those volunteer hours.

 

Learn more about Illinois Master Gardeners

Ask a Master Gardener
Help Desk Schedule

April-May and September-October                                                                         Monday & Wednesday | 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.|                                                                                                                                                                                     

June-August                 

 Monday, Wednesday & Thursday  | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. |                                                                                            

November-March

 Wedneday | 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  |                                                                                                                                                           

Other Local Resources  

 

 

McHenry County News and Events

A pollinator garden at the McHenry College Demo Garden

McHenry County College Demonstration Garden

The Demo Garden is a hidden gem in McHenry County! The garden is a continual work in progress co-sponsored with McHenry County College and maintained by University of Illinois Master Gardeners.
Various seeds coming out of their packets

McHenry County Master Gardener Seed Library

Now open! The library is organized by vegetables and flowers, both annual and perennial. "Your next favorite bloom is waiting—check out the seed library today!
Piscasaw Gardens in McHenry Illinois

2025 McHenry County Farm Stroll

Farm Stroll is a self-guided tour of McHenry County’s diversified family farms. There is no beginning or end of the tour, just choose the farms you wish to visit and go during the stroll’s time frame.