Each plant in your garden needs the right nutrients and care, at the right time. Knowing the preferences of each plant can be overwhelming. Tending a garden for fun shouldn't feel like work. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are trained to help your garden goals succeed. Master Gardeners have research-based solutions to solve your garden problems. Their straight-forward solutions will help you weed, feed, or treat your way to a bountiful garden.
The Master Gardener training is approximately 60 hours of classroom instruction on basic botany, vegetables, soils, herbs, wildlife control, insects, turfgrass, flowers, diseases, woody ornamentals, fruits, and pesticide safety. After completing the training, Master Gardener graduates hold the title of Master Garden Intern. Interns become Active Master Gardeners once they complete 40 internship hours in a two-year time frame post-graduation. Active Master Gardeners maintain their status through a commitment of 20 hours of volunteer time and 10 hours of continuing education committed to program-related projects. Active Master Gardeners are re-screened every 3 years.
Livingston, McLean and Woodford Master Garden Volunteer Programs are open to all adults in the community. Online training is available year-round.
Master Gardeners offer the advice you need to grow healthy plants. Get in touch with your local Master Gardener Help Desk today. We'll identify, diagnose, and offer advise on problems faced by every gardener.
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