Are you interested in becoming a Master Gardener?
Take the first step with UW Extension!
Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening is an online, complete-at-your-own-pace introductory course offered by the UW-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program. The course is designed for anyone who wants to improve their gardening skills, regardless of experience level. Participants learn key concepts for selecting, growing, and maintaining plants—from trees to houseplants to vegetables and everything in between! The course usually runs September to December.
This course also serves as an approved learning opportunity to become a Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener. It is the first step in a two-step process to join the program. For more information on how to become a Master Gardener, visit mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/join.
At the end of Growing and Caring for Plants in Wisconsin: Foundations in Gardening, participants will be able to:
Link gardening practices and biology concepts to prevent plant problems.
Explain how to select, grow, and maintain a wide range of plants.
Identify strategies to reduce and manage plant problems.
Explain what Integrated Pest Management is and how it benefits gardeners and the environment.
The course includes 14 modules with videos featuring Extension specialists, virtual activities, readings, and additional resources. This course also incorporates live webinars with Extension specialists who present on their areas of expertise and answer questions from participants.
Participants can dig deeper into important horticulture concepts by registering for additional online lab sessions led by Extension educators. In these labs, learners apply knowledge from the online modules to real-life gardening situations. Labs are held via Zoom and are recorded for later viewing. The online labs are available for purchase for an additional fee.
Early bird registration opens in July. If you register during the early bird period you will receive a discounted rate which includes an electronic version of the course manual (PDF). Hard copies of the manual can be purchased at time of registration. Need-based scholarships are available during early bird registration, for those who are eligible for financial assistance. Find more information about this course at go.wisc.edu/ExtGardenFoundations.
Questions? Contact the course moderator at gardening.class@extension.wisc.edu
The UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Program provides research-based horticulture information to Wisconsin gardeners so they can make informed decisions that keep their plants healthy while protecting the environment.
If you are a Master Gardener who has relocated to Wisconsin from another state, or if you are rejoining the program after a period of inactivity, contact wimastergardener@extension.wisc.edu to learn your specific program requirements.