UC Marin master gardeners share their knowledge with the public. (Courtesy of Marin Master Gardeners)
Trainees in the Marin Master Gardener program learn how to identify plants. (Courtesy of Marin Master Gardeners)
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UC Marin master gardeners share their knowledge with the public. (Courtesy of Marin Master Gardeners)
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During a chat with a friend 19 years ago, I heard there was an opportunity to learn more about one of my lifelong passions: gardening. She said that after being certified in this UC Marin Master Gardener program, I could not only learn more about plants, soil and sustainable gardening to improve my own success with plants but also gain enough expertise to do outreach to help others use more Earth-friendly landscape practices. I was excited to meet others who shared my love of plants and to learn more science-based gardening information and skills during the training course. I applied and was accepted to the 16-week program. It did not disappoint. In fact, it was so much more than I had anticipated. I met others who had a rich variety of professional and personal backgrounds but were soon to become lifelong friends and collaborators, talented in many ways and fun to be with in our shared love of gardens and our community.
What do master gardeners do?
The mission is to extend research-based knowledge on home horticulture, pest management and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of Marin County.
Founded in 1981 by the University of California Cooperative Extension in Novato, there are currently 344 UC Marin master gardeners serving our Marin County community.
How do master gardeners achieve their mission?
• Host hands-on educational workshops that teach our county’s residents how to protect California’s natural resources by gardening sustainably.
• Answer questions by email, phone or in person about how to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers and manage pests in the garden.
• Provide hands-on demonstrations at school, community and demonstration gardens, and the Marin County Fair.
• Teach horticulture skills to youth and adults through producing videos, public speaking at libraries and answering questions at farmers markets and our free help desk, to name just a few of the ways.
How to apply
Applications are available at marinmg.ucanr.edu, with final applications due on or before Sept. 12. Click on the link “Become a Marin Master Gardener.” Requirements include being a Marin resident and being available to attend all 16 weeks of in-person and virtual trainings from Jan. 22 through May 7, 2026. Trainings start at 9 a.m. Thursdays and run through the early afternoon each week. The program cost is $395, with limited scholarships available.
Once applications are reviewed, the next step is an interview with each applicant to match the best candidates with the available 2026 training opportunities. Selected trainees are required to be fingerprinted by the Marin County Sheriff before embarking on the training.
Classroom, community and collaboration
Once chosen, trainees are taught a wide scope of topics in the training classroom, with in-depth homework on a weekly basis. Subjects range from botany; soils; composting; plant pathology; integrated pest management; irrigation practices; growing fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, trees and shrubs; pruning on all types of plants and trees; fire-smart landscaping; and much more.
Subjects are taught by professionals from our community: UC faculty, nursery professionals, local horticultural experts and certified master gardeners.
Each trainee is also partnered with a mentor to guide the student through the training classes. Mentors collaborate with them and help pair them with county-wide volunteer opportunities to serve Marin residents and the UC Marin Master Gardeners.
The first-year volunteer requirement is 50 hours of service. After that, the yearly requirement is a minimum of 25 volunteer hours and 12 hours of continuing education annually.
I hope this information sprouts your interest in these rigorous and fascinating garden education classes and community service opportunities. To learn more details about how to make this opportunity blossom and become a Marin master gardener, please go to marinmg@ucanr.edu.
Good luck! We look forward to breaking ground with you.
Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provides science- and research-based information for Marin home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases. Please call 415-473-4910 to see when a master gardener will be at the office or drop off samples 24/7 in the sample box outside the office. To attend a gardening workshop or subscribe to Leaflet, a free quarterly e-newsletter, go to marinmg.ucanr.edu.
Originally Published: August 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM PDT
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