The Master Gardener Program in Susquehanna County holds Basic Training annually from October - March. The next Basic Training course will begin in October 2025. Interested Susquehanna County residents should apply by August 15, 2025.
Hands working in a garden bed
The next Master Gardener Basic Training course in Susquehanna County will be offered beginning in Fall 2025. Master Gardeners are volunteer garden educators who support the outreach mission of Penn State Extension by utilizing unbiased research-based information to educate the public and their communities on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. No gardening experience is required; all volunteers undergo a 60-hour Basic Training course in horticultural science. Trainees must then complete 50 hours of volunteer service within the 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 Basic Training course combines in-person classes held at the Penn State Extension office in Montrose and webinar training completed at home. Access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone is necessary to complete the course. The course is designed to provide home gardeners with the information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others. Course topics include Basic Botany, Plant Diseases, Soil Health, Plant Propagation, Weeds/Invasive Species, Pruning, Vegetable Gardens, Indoor Plants, Native Plants, Tree Fruits, Landscape Design, and more.
Volunteerism is a requirement of the Master Gardener program. Master Gardeners in Susquehanna County maintain several educational demonstration gardens, record observations for a statewide Home Garden Vegetable Trial study and Grow-Save Repeat planting breeding program, teach the Mr. Yuk Poison Prevention Program to area first-grade students, staff an education outreach exhibit during the 6-day Harford Fair, help with conservation projects in the community, partner with the Montrose Area Adult School to offer gardening classes, answer questions submitted through a County Garden Email Hotline, teach Seed to Supper beginner adult vegetable gardening courses, and present the annual Spring Garden Day Clinic. We would love to welcome new trainees who can help us extend our outreach!
Information on the course schedule for Fall 2025 and the course fee will be available in the summer. For questions or additional information, please contact Melissa Wright, Master Gardener Coordinator in Susquehanna County, at 570-666-9003 or mbw5781@psu.edu.
Click the blue words to complete a Quick & Easy Online Application
or download and print the PDF version of the application - Printable Application-PDF
Completed applications can be emailed to mbw5781@psu.edu or mailed to:
Penn State Extension
Master Gardener Program of Susquehanna County
88 Chenango Street
Montrose, PA 18801
