Becoming a Master Gardener in Tulsa County is more than a hobby—it’s a serious commitment to education, community outreach and hands-on horticulture.
With applications opening soon, now is the time for prospective volunteers to start planning.
What Is a Master Gardener?
The Tulsa County Master Gardener Program is run through the OSU Extension Office and has served the community since 1983. Participants receive university-level training in a wide range of horticulture topics.
“A Master Gardener is university-trained in horticulture through the university,” said Brian Jervis, a horticulturist with the OSU Extension Office. “It’s just a good place for like-minded folks to come together and really enjoy gardening and share that information with people.”
The program currently has 416 active Master Gardeners, making it one of the largest and most active in the country.
Training and Volunteer Commitment
The program includes 16 weeks of classroom instruction, held weekly on Wednesdays in the fall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Course topics range from soil science and fertilizers to plant diseases and proper plant selection.
After training, participants are required to complete 100 volunteer hours in the following year. Many reach that goal well ahead of schedule due to the wide variety of opportunities available.
“We say 100 hours that next year, and they say that’s a lot, but they usually have those by May,” Jervis said.
Giving Back to the Community
Volunteer work includes staffing the Extension Office’s gardening hotline, teaching in local schools, helping at county fairs, and running therapeutic gardening programs.
The school outreach program brings gardening lessons to K-5 students, including hands-on activities like examining worms and soil. Another project partners with the Tulsa Boys’ Home, introducing residents to gardening as a therapeutic activity.
Who Should Apply
While many current volunteers are retirees, the program is actively encouraging younger adults to get involved. Saturday events and flexible volunteer options make it more accessible for those with traditional work schedules.
The cost to join the program is $250, plus a $35 background check. Two information sessions are scheduled for August 6 at 1 p.m. and August 13 at 10 a.m. to help interested individuals learn more and ask questions.
Both sessions will be at the Tulsa County Extension Office at 4116 E. 15th Street.
For more information or to sign up, visit TulsaMasterGardners.org.