WVU Extension Master Gardener training, which used to be 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 late winter/spring 2026 term, beginning on January 8 through May 14. Classes will be held every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
A total of 54 hours of training will be delivered through 18 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 volunteer selection process. This process includes a background check, references, and an interview.
Learn more about the WVU Extension Master Gardener Program.
Winter/Spring 2026 topics and speakers include:
January 8
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.
January 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 by Jeanne Rushin, New River Master Gardener.
January 22
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.
January 30
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.
February 5
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 presented by Brandy Brabham, WVU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent – Roane County.
Grafting – 1 hour
- One of the vegetative propagation techniques from Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture.
February 12
Basic Principals 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 with Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture.
February 19
Wildlife Management – Chapter 20 – 3 hours
An overview of wildlife friends and foes by Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension Specialist – Wildlife.
February 26
Vegetable Gardening – Chapter 10 – 3 hours
An introduction to vegetable gardening, covering topics from planning and establishments to maintenance and harvest with Lewis Jett, WVU Extension Specialist – Commercial Horticulture.
March 5
Tree Fruits – Chapter 12 – 3 hours
- An introduction to fruit tree establishment considerations, site, rootstock, variety, insect and disease complex, and mineral nutrition with Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture.
March 12
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 presented by Carlos Quesada, WVU Extension Specialist – Entomology.
March 19
Small Fruits – Chapter 13 – 3 hours
An introduction to growing blueberries, grapes, brambles, strawberries, gooseberries, currents, elderberries, and other less common small fruits, covering topics from establishment, insect, and disease complex management to mineral nutrition considerations by Mira Danilovich, WVU Extension Specialist – Consumer Horticulture.
March 26
Pesticides and Pest Management – Chapter 5 – 3 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 by Carlos Quesada, WVU Extension Specialist – Entomology.
April 2
Plant Diseases – Chapter 7 – 3 hours
An introduction to the most common plant diseases and environmental conditions favoring disease development. Learn how to recognize common symptoms and their causes as well as ways for their prevention and control presented by by Mahfuz Rahman, WVU Extension Specialist – Plant Pathology.
April 9
Herbaceous Plants – 3 hours
- An introduction to flower gardening. Learn how to incorporate flowers into your landscape to add color, depth, dimension, texture, form, and excitement with Sven Verlinden, Associate Professor of Horticulture, WVU Davis College.
April 23
Indoor Plants – Chapter 17 – 3 hours
You will learn basic care for subtropical and tropical plants, or how to keep them alive by making improvements in homes and offices or “un-natural environment” for these plants to keep them thriving by Sven Verlinden, Associate Professor of Horticulture, WVU Davis College.
April 30
Landscape Design – Chapter 16 – 3 hours
Considerations for a good, well-balanced landscape design presented by Jeanne Rushin, New River Master Gardener.
May 7
Woody Ornamentals – Chapter 18 – 3 hours
Learn about selecting and caring for woody ornamental plants, including native species and invasive plants with Karen Cox, WVU Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent – Ohio County.
May 14
WV Native Plants – Chapter 22 – 3 hours
- An introduction to some of the wildflowers and woody ornamental native plants of West Virginia, presented by Elizabeth Olmo, Extension Master Gardener – Tucker County