HOW TO REACH US

The Master Gardeners offer free information on home gardening.

Call the MG phone helpline during our office hours or leave an email or voice message after hours.

Tulare County
(559) 684-3325
Tuesday and Thursday
9:30 - 11:30 am.

Email:
mgardene@tularecounty.ca.gov

You may fill out this survey
for gardening help:
https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=27414

Kings County
(559) 852-2736
Thursday Only, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Email:
Master.Gardener@co.kings.ca.us

Website:
http://cetulare.ucanr.edu

UC ANR Publication #8423
FREE

Become a Master Gardener

Want to Become a Master Gardener?

Do you love to garden? Are you interested in lifelong learning and the science of gardening? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? And do you like the idea of community service? Master Gardeners do all of these things and more! Working with a wonderful group of gardening enthusiasts you will gain knowledge about the life of the garden, and put what you know into practice for the benefit of others and our environment. Tulare/Kings Master Gardeners focus their training and volunteer projects on the following principles: proper horticulture practices, sustainable landscapes - Gardening "Central Valley Style," Integrated Pest Management, and training people to promote youth and community gardening.

What is the Master Gardener Training Like?

The Tulare/Kings Master Gardener Training program is an extensive 16-week training course, providing a science based, practical overview of horticulture and sustainable landscaping practices. The cost of the training program is $150.

Training sessions meet weekly on Fridays from January to May. Each trainee will be introduced to a Sprout Team to help guide them through the training class and to introduce them to the Tulare/Kings Master Gardener organization. The UCCE Tulare Office is the main headquarters of the Tulare/Kings MG Program.

Classes are taught by experts ranging from University of California faculty and staff, landscape and nursery professionals, local horticulture educators and Certified Master Gardeners. Topics that may be covered in the Training Program include:

Botany & Plant Taxonomy		Landscape Design/Gardening "Central Valley Style"
Plant Propagation		Lawns and Groundcovers
Soils, Fertilizers, Compost, Amendments		Drought Tolerant & Native Plants
Water Needs and Irrigation Methods		Woody Landscape Plants (Trees & Shrubs)
Plant Diseases		Citrus and Grapes
Insects and Integrated Pest Management		Deciduous Fruit Trees
Weeds in Lawns and Landscapes		Diagnosing Plant Problems & Answering Questions
Vertebrate Pests		About our Local MG Program (Policy Guidelines Handbook)

Who Becomes a Master Gardener?

Any Tulare/Kings resident with experience in gardening, an interest in horticulture and a desire to volunteer for community service may apply to the Master Gardener Training Program. Tulare/Kings Master Gardeners are people of all ages and come from all walks of life. They share an enthusiasm for gardening, some knowledge of plants, a willingness to learn and help others, and the ability to communicate with diverse groups of people.

What is the Commitment to the Master Gardener Program?

In the first year Master Gardeners are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of UCCE sponsored volunteer service. In subsequent years, to remain a Certified Master Gardener, A minimum of 25 hours of UCCE sponsored volunteer service and 12 hours of Continuing Education are required.

What Type of Volunteer Work Does a Master Gardener Do?

Master Gardeners are the go-to People for University of California research-based horticulture information and for teaching sustainable gardening practice for healthy homes and gardens. They staff an information help desk in the UCCE offices in Tulare and in Hanford, answering questions, diagnosing plant problems, and giving horticultural assistance to home gardeners. They provide information through newspaper articles, gardening festivals, talks, demonstrations and information booths at community events, plus other garden projects.

Are you interested in applying for the Master Gardener Training Class for 2026?

Please fill out this Interest Survey:
https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=10225.