2025 Class Schedule
2025 Master Gardener Basic Training Schedule
All classes are from 6:00 – 8:15 P.M. via Zoom
October 3 Zoom Link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/94905780533
All other dates: https://psu.zoom.us/j/95742983939
October 3, 2024
Welcome to the Master Gardener Program! History of Extension and Pre-Test
Instructors: Master Gardener Leadership Team
Objective: To understand how extension was founded and how the Master Gardener program functions in each county.
UNIQUE ZOOM LINK: https://psu.zoom.us/s/94905780533
October 10, 2024
Basic Botany (Chapter 2)
Instructor: Elsa Sanchez, Professor of Horticultural Systems Management
Objective: To understand plant growth and development and environmental factors affecting plant growth.
Zoom Link (same for remaining sessions): https://psu.zoom.us/j/95742983939
October 17, 2024
Plant Propagation (Chapter 3)
Instructor: Glen Bupp, Extension Educator
Objective: To be able to propagate plants successfully using asexual and sexual methods.
October 24, 2024
Soils Health and Fertilizer Management/Composting (Chapters 4 & 5)
Instructor: Margaret Sams, Certified Professional Soil Scientist & Master Gardener
Objective: To understand the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils and to understand the basics of composting.
October 31, 2024
Controlling Pests Safely (Chapter 6)
Instructor: Casey Sclar, H.O. Smith Endowed Director of The Arboretum at Penn State
Objective: To understand integrated pest management and the safe and proper usage of pesticides.
November 7, 2024
Basic Entomology (Chapter 7)
Instructor: Dr. Margarita Lopez-Uribe, Associate Professor & Lorenzo L. Langstroth Early Career Professorship in Entomology
Objective: To understand insect classification, types of insect injury and methods of control.
November 14, 2024
Plant Diseases (Chapter 8)
Instructor: Leah Fronk, Extension Educator
Objective: To understand the disease triangle and the causes of plant diseases.
November 21, 2024
Indoor Plants (Chapter 9)
Instructor: Ruth Benner, Extension Educator
Objective: To begin to become proficient in the identification, insect and disease diagnosis and cultural requirements of indoor plants.
November 28, 2024
NO CLASS – Thanksgiving
December 5, 2024
The Vegetable Garden (Chapter 10)
Instructor: Diane Diffenderfer, Wayne County Master Gardener & Veggie Trials Coordinator
Objective: To learn how to successfully grow vegetables using proper cultural practices.
December 12, 2024
Lawn Care (Chapter 11)
Instructor: Sandy Feather, Extension Educator
Objective: To learn turf species recommended for Pennsylvania and the cultural practices necessary to establish and maintain a healthy lawn.
December 19, 2024
Exam Part 1
Exam Material: Master Gardener Manual Chapters 2-11
December 26, 2024
NO CLASS – Winter Break
January 2, 2025
Teaching and Communications (Chapter 1)
Instructors: Tara Mondock, Associate Director of Client Relations, Val Sesler, Andy Faust
Objective: To develop effective communication skills including public speaking, writing e-mails and answering telephones.
January 09, 2025
Pruning Ornamental Plants (Chapter 12)
Instructor: Scott Sjolander, Extension Educator
Objective: To understand the biology of pruning and basic pruning techniques for woody ornamentals
January 16, 2025
Landscape Design (Chapter 15)
Instructor: Brian Walsh Extension Educator
Objective: To become familiar with the basic concepts of landscape design.
January 23, 2025
Woody Ornamentals (Chapter 16)
Instructor: Nancy Knauss Master Gardener (Former MG State Coordinator)
Objective: To learn best management practices for selecting quality nursery material, planting and growing woody ornamentals.
January 30, 2025
Herbaceous Plants (Chapter 17)
Instructor: Shari Edelson, PSU PhD Student, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Objective: To begin to become proficient in the identification, cultural requirements and usage of herbaceous plants.
February 06, 2025
Native Plants (Chapter 18)
Instructor: Mandy Smith, Master Gardener of Westmoreland
Objective: To be able to appreciate the value of native plants in the landscape and how to select the right plant for the right place.
February 13, 2025
Weeds/Invasive Species (Chapters 19 & 20)
Instructor: Margaret Pickoff, Extension Educator
Objective: To understand the biology of common weeds leading to better weed control in gardening situations, and to become familiar with an IPM approach to weed management.
February 20, 2025
Small Fruit (Chapter 14)
Instructor: Dr. Daniel Weber, Extension Educator
Objective: To learn how to successfully grow grapes, brambles, strawberries and blueberries through proper cultivar selection, planting, and maintenance.
February 27, 2025
Tree Fruit (Chapter 13)
Instructor: Don Seifrit, Extension Educator
Objective: To learn how to successfully grow tree fruits including apples, pears, peaches and stone fruits through proper cultivar selection, planting, and maintenance.
March 6, 2025
Culturally Responsive Education
Instructor: Kelly Kemmerle
Objective: Become familiar with volunteer projects across the state as well as soft skills for impactful public outreach
March 13, 2025
Plant Diagnostics
Instructor: Jennie Diehl Mazzone
Objective: To learn preferred resources and diagnostic tools for accurate plant diagnosis. To know the correct procedures for proper sampling and packing of plant samples that are sent to the Insect and Plant Pathology labs at Penn State.
March 20, 2025
Exam Part 2
Exam Material: Master Gardener Manual Chapters 1 & 12-20
