WVU Extension Master Gardener training, typically offered through in-person courses organized by WVU Extension offices around the state, will once again be available online via Zoom sessions.
WVU Extension will continue offering online Master Gardener training classes for the spring, beginning on March 2 through June 29. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
A total of 51 hours of training will be delivered through 17 sessions.
A few training sessions will still be offered in-person. Sessions, like the introductory class, might be offered in-person to allow those in the class to meet and interact with one another. Other sessions, such as plant propagation, pruning and landscape assessments, and student presentations might also be offered in-person, if possible. Think of it as having a "lab" that goes along with the “classroom curriculum.”
Please note that all interested participants will still have to go through their local WVU Extension office to sign up for the program and complete all necessary paperwork. All prospective trainees must undergo the WVU Extension Service volunteer selection process. This process includes a background check, references, and an interview.
Learn more about the WVU Extension Master Gardener Program online:
https://extension.wvu.edu/master-gardener-program
Spring 2023 topics and speakers include:
March 2
Introduction to EMG Program – Chapter 1 – 3 hours
- History of Extension & Master Gardening with Brian Sparks, WVU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent – Nicholas and Fayette Counties
- Introduction to Extension Master Gardener Program from Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension
Specialist – Consumer Horticulture
March 9
Basic Principles of Pruning – Chapter 14 – 3 hours
- Learn the art and science of pruning. Why do you need to prune, how often, when, and how? These are some of the basic approaches you will get to hear about. Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture
March 16
An Introduction to Plant Science: Botany – Chapter 3 – 3 hours
- Introduction to the classification of plants and their nomenclature. Learn about plant parts and their function. Get to know basic principles of plant physiology, environmental factors influencing plant development and growth, and plant nutrition. Presented by Jeanne Rushin, New River Master Gardener
March 23
An Introduction to Soil Science – Chapter 8 – 3 hours
- Learn about physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, learn all about essential elements and their role, learn how to take a sample for testing and how to interpret lab results and use them to correct certain parameters to maintain nutritional balance thus optimal environment for the plant development and growth, and more with Brian Wickline, WVU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent – Monroe County
April 6
Small Fruits – Chapter 13 – 3 hours
- An introduction to growing blueberries, grapes, brambles, strawberries, gooseberries, currents, elderberries, and other less common small fruit, covering topics from establishment, insect and disease complex management to mineral nutrition considerations with Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture
April 13
Wildlife Management – Chapter 20 – 3 hours
- An overview of wildlife friends and foes presented by Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension Specialist – Wildlife
April 20
Pesticides and Pest Management – Chapter 5 – 2 hours
- Develop an understanding of pesticide labels, their formulations, safe use of pesticides, safe storage of pesticides, alternatives to pesticides, principles of integrated pest management (IPM), environmental impact of pesticides and more with Carlos Quesada, WVU Extension Specialist – Entomology
Pollinators – 1 hour
- Learn about the important role pollinators play in agricultural production. Get some ideas about how to encourage them to be standard feature in your garden by providing forging, breading grounds for them as well as shelter with Mary Beth Bennett, WVU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent – Berkeley County
April 27
Plant Diseases – Chapter 7 – 3 hours
- Get to know the basics of the bug world. Learn how to tell apart the “good guys” from the non-welcomed visitors to our gardens. Learn to recognize the symptoms of various insect injuries and the best methods for their control with Carlos Quesada, WVU Extension Specialist – Entomology
May 4
An Introduction to Entomology – Chapter 6 – 3 hours
- Get to know the basics of the bug world. Learn how to tell apart the “good guys” from the non-welcomed visitors to our gardens. Learn to recognize the symptoms of various insect injuries and the best methods for their control with Carlos Quesada, WVU Extension Specialist – Entomology
May 11
Turf and Weed Management – Chapter 9 – 3 hours
- Provides instructions from proper grass selection for the given area to establishment and maintenance of a healthy and vigorous lawn presented by Rakesh Chandran, WVU Extension Specialist – Weed Science
May 18
Plant Propagation – Chapter 4 – 2 hours
- An introduction to the process of sexual and asexual plant multiplication to increase their numbers, perpetuate the species and/or cultivars
Grafting – 1 hour
- One of the vegetative propagation techniques from Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture
May 25
Indoor Plants – Chapter 17 – 2 hours
- Led by Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture
The Art of Bonsai – 1 hour
- Learn about selecting and caring for woody ornamental plants, including native species and invasive plants from Randy Rader, Kanawha County Master Gardener
June 1
Woody Ornamentals – Chapter 18 – 3 hours
- Learn about selecting and caring for woody ornamental plants, including native species and invasive plants from Karen Cox, WVU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent – Ohio County
June 8
Vegetable Gardening – Chapter 10 – 3 hours
- An introduction to vegetable gardening, covering topics from planning and establishments to maintenance and harvest presented by Lewis Jett, WVU Extension Specialist – Commercial Horticulture
June 15
West Virginia Native Plants – Chapter 22 – 3 hours
- An introduction to some of the wildflowers and woody ornamental natives with David Davis, West Virginia Botanic Garden
June 22
Tree Fruits – Chapter 12 – 3 hours
- An introduction to fruit tree establishment considerations, site, rootstock, variety, insect and disease complex, and mineral nutrition by Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture
June 29
Landscape Design – Chapter 16 – 3 hours
- Considerations for a good, well-balanced landscape design from Jeanne Rushin, New River Master Gardener