Master Gardener Basic Training for Philadelphia County
Master Gardener in action teaching a gardening workshop at the Master Gardener Plant Sale.
Do you love to garden? Is a long afternoon in the sun and soil your idea of a Perfect Day? Are you deeply curious about the natural world and passionate about caring for our natural resources? Are you excited to share your love of gardening through education in your community? If the answer to all these questions is YES, then the Master Gardener Program might be for you.
The Penn State Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program that supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate the public and our communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. No prior experience is required, as all volunteers go through 40-60 hours of Basic Training in horticultural science. Trainees must then complete 50 hours of volunteer service within their first year to achieve their official Master Gardener certification. Master Gardeners maintain their certification by completing 20 hours of volunteer service and 10 hours of continuing education each year.
The application process for the 2023 training class has closed. The next training class will be held in Fall 2025. The application process for the 2025 training class will begin in May 2025.
Sign up here to be informed about 2025 training class application updates or follow @PhiladelphiaCountyMasterGardeners on Facebook.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for information about the location, 2025 schedule, and format of our training.
For specific questions not in the FAQ, email the Philadelphia Master Gardener Coordinator, Jessica Schweiger (jes6956@psu.edu).
