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Educating people where they live and work about horticultural best practices
Master Gardeners are University of Minnesota-trained volunteers whose job is to educate the public about a variety of horticulture subjects using readily-available, up-to-date research-based information. This educational effort is designed to enhance the public's quality of life and to promote good stewardship of the environment.
There are more than 100 Master Gardeners who live in Washington County and volunteer several thousand hours each year to educate others. Activities range from teaching Community Education classes, diagnosing plant problems, and answering questions at "Ask a Master Gardener events, on the phone, or by the Internet to helping communities with their environmental issues such as water quality, invasive species, and noxious weeds.
University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners teach research-based environmentally sound landscaping techniques such as proper use of fertilizers and pesticides, appropriate plant choices for our climate, correct planting techniques, good maintenance practices, methods for removal of invasive plants such as buckthorn, and water quality improvement.
We host an annual plant sale and clinic in the spring at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Bring your plant and insect specimens for diagnosis, look at various educational displays, and ask a Master Gardener your gardening questions. Then purchase perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and more to support the University of Minnesota Master Gardener Program in Washington County.
We answer yard and garden-related questions of every type imaginable over the phone (952-443-1426). Questions are answered by a Master Gardener when on duty; otherwise leave a detailed message explaining the problem or question. We will call back with a response.
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