Welcome to the website of the Howard County Master Gardeners. The mission of the Howard County Master Gardeners is to educate residents about safe, effective, and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities. The Master Gardener program is administered by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Service.
Howard County Master Gardeners are volunteers, trained by the university, who provide horticultural education services to individuals, groups, and communities including government agencies, neighborhood associations, non-profit organizations, historic sites, schools and youth groups, senior citizens and garden clubs. Master Gardener programs and services are available free of charge to all Howard County residents and community groups.
The Howard County Master Gardener program is currently without a Coordinator. For any Howard County Master Gardener program specific inquiries please contact, Kathy Hartley (hcmgwebmaster@gmail.com). If you are interested in an upcoming Howard County Master Gardener Training, please contact Betty Rice (bettyrice@aol.com). For any general questions about the University of Maryland Master Gardener program, please reach out to the MG State Office (statemg@umd.edu). Thank you.
SPEAKERS BUREAU
Do you have a topic about which you and your group would like to learn more? If so, Howard County Master Gardeners are available to speak to garden clubs, community associations, libraries, civic groups, businesses, and other community organizations on a wide range of home-gardening topics. If you wish to schedule a talk, please contact Christine Hipple (christine.hipple@gmail.com). Thank you.
Ask A Master Gardener Clinics
In addition to regular Ask A Master Gardener sessions held at the libraries, come see us at these one day events:
Robinson Nature Center event: Native Plant Palooza will be held on SUNDAY September 29th, 12 - 4 pm.
Upcoming Events (see calendar for full details)
Master Gardener Public Talks
Master Gardener Calendar
| Date | Time | Presentation | Presenter | Location | Registration |
| 4/22/24 | 2:00 PM | Vermicomposting:1001 Worms Eat My Garbage Every gardener wants to have worms in their garden. This presentation will explore why it’s also desirable to have worms living in your house – in an indoor worm bin! Learn how worms can help reduce waste while transforming your kitchen scraps into a rich soil amendment for your garden and container plants. The presentation will cover the basics of setting up a worm composting bin. It’s fun, easy, inexpensive and an educational project for kids. (A children’s version is also available.) |
Barbara Schmeckpeper | Glenwood 50+ Center | https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/home?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true |
| 5/2/24 | 5:30 PM | Four Keys to Happy Houseplants | Christine Hipple | Office of Aging and Independence Showcase, Columbia 50+ Center Art Room | https://www.howardcountymd.gov/OAIshowcase2024 |
| 5/11/24 | 9:30 AM | Plant This Not That: Alternatives to Invasive Plants in your Landscape | Christine Hipple | First Presbyterian Church of Howard County Plant Share | https://www.firstpreshc.org/event-details-registration/free-plant-gardening-tool-swap-giveaway |
| 5/11/24 | 10:30 AM | Companion Planting | Ruth Vriand | First Presbyterian Church of Howard County Plant Share | https://www.firstpreshc.org/event-details-registration/free-plant-gardening-tool-swap-giveaway |
| 5/14/24 | 7:00 PM | Gardening for the Birds | Clare Walker | Miller Library | https://howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/gardening-birds-221739 |
| 5/18/24 | 11:30 AM | Invasive Plants: What you need to know | Judy Fulton | Savage Library | https://howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/invasive-plants-223844 |
| 5/22/24 | 7:00 PM | Plant This Not That: Alternatives to Invasive Plants in your Landscape |
Christine Hipple | Miller Library | https://howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/plant-not-alternative-invasive-plants-your-landscape-222014 |
| 5/29/24 | 11:00 AM | Plant This Not That: Alternatives to Invasive Plants in your Landscape | Christine Hipple | Glenwood 50+ Center | https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/activity/search/detail/136813?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true |