The purpose of the USU Extension Master Gardener Program is to develop a network of trained volunteers who can provide the Salt Lake County community with unbiased, research-based horticultural education and technical assistance in gardening and home horticulture. USU Extension Master Gardeners volunteer on several projects throughout the Salt Lake County area. 

Enrollment for the 2024 program will begin in February.

For those interested in the 2024 program, please fill out this short Google form: 2024 EMAIL LIST. (The blue button "Email Sign Up" shown above is for the USU Extension Newsletter, not the Master Gardener program).
The first email will also contain an RSVP to attend a mandatory orientation meeting in February. The date that email is sent will be posted here so you can also check your junk folder.
The enrollment fee for 2024 will be $200 with an optional purchase of a printed copy of the training manual for $30. Please come back often to see updates.

Important: Each county has a different program, enrollment and start dates. For Salt Lake County, the core training classes will begin March 12, 2024 and will be delivered live over the internet twice per week for 7 weeks. Many other counties begin their programs in January and they may be in-person or online or a mix. It is expected that the volunteer component of 40 hours will be completed in the same county as you complete the classes. Please click on the tab "County Locations" above to find the contact information for other counties and information on attending their program.

Class Description

Master Gardener course participants attend 14 college-level lectures taught by Utah State University Extension Specialists and Extension Faculty.  After completion of the basic curriculum, first year trainees may participate in hands-on workshops, webinars and live events and become an integral part of the educational community while sharing their research-based knowledge through volunteer service (see below).   

The basic curriculum includes, but is not limited to the following topics:

  • Basic Botany
  • Soils and Fertilizers
  • Irrigation
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Trees, Shrubs and Flowers
  • Weed Science
  • Entomology
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Turfgrass
  • Water-wise Landscaping
  • Plant Pathology & Diagnostics

Class Volunteering

Volunteering is the heart and soul of the program.  To receive final Master Gardener Certification, participants must complete 40 hours of approved USU service projects in the county in which they are enrolled.  A large part of our program in Salt Lake County is supporting Wheeler Historic Farm and Park by maintaining various garden demonstration areas. The following are examples of additional volunteer opportunities:

  • Demonstration garden management
  • Public education presentations
  • Small-group teaching opportunities
  • Guided garden tours
  • Information Booths at community fairs/shows
  • Gardening Help Desk/Plant diagnostic clinics 

Gardening Questions? Answers Here!

Request a Master Gardener Guest Lecture

All requests must be done by phone (385) 468-4820*

Topics that a Master Gardener may speak on:

  • Basic Gardening (composting, soils, seasonality, plant requirements, etc)
  • Vegetable gardening (soils, nutrients, fertilizers, varieties, raised beds, etc)
  • Water-wise and native plants
  • Tree, shrub, and perennial flowers
  • Basic lawn care

USU Extension's protocol for Master Gardener teaching requests:

  • The contact person (you) must call our office (385) 468-4820 and speak with our Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator.
  • We will take your contact information and discuss event details to post to our volunteer schedule so they can sign-up to teach.  Advanced planning is highly recommended. Even if the class isn't to be held until Fall, call us early in the year to be accommodated.
  • If a volunteer(s) signs up, they (the volunteer) will contact you directly.**

*You must have a minimum group size of 30 people.

**If you are not contacted  by a volunteer within 10 days after your teaching request was recorded, it indicates that there are no available volunteers to fulfill your request. If this occurs, we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. The USU Salt Lake Extension Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization; therefore, there may be occasions where an event cannot be filled.