Master Gardener Online - Options

Jay Addington Master GardnerParticipants taking the online Master Gardener basic training can choose one of two options:

Option 1: Online course only

Participants can receive a Certificate of Home Horticulture upon successful completion of the online course. 

Cost: $490

Option 2: Online course and volunteering

Participants can earn a Master Gardener badge with continued training at a local county Extension Office that maintains an OSU Master Gardener Program. Here, participants will apply the concepts that they learned in the online basic training course through community volunteer opportunities. To become a certified OSU Master Gardener, 40-70 hours of on-site volunteer practicum are required. Visit our FAQs page to find out which counties can accept students for volunteer hours.

Cost: $390

Course outline and syllabus

For details on the Master Gardener course content and schedule, take a look at the Fall 2010 Syllabus as a sample.

For more general information on the OSU Master Gardener Program, please visit the main OSU Master Gardener site.

Visit our FAQs page to find answers to many of your questions. View online Registration information.

Online course subjects

Gail Langellotto

The online Master Gardener basic training course's topics include:

  • Basic botany and entomology
  • Integrated pest management and pesticide safety
  • Soils, fertilizers and composting
  • Ornamental, herbaceous plants and woody plants
  • Vegetable, indoor and container gardening
  • Sustainable landscaping
  • Plant pathology