Our Vision
We envision a healthier world through environmental stewardship.
Our Mission
We support the University of Maryland Extension (UME) mission by educating residents about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes, and communities.
Our History
The UME Master Gardener Program began in 1978 as a means to extend science-based knowledge to the general public by providing horticultural and pest management expertise to help protect and improve Maryland’s natural resources. Today, this popular program can be found in 20 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.
UME Master Gardeners are volunteers who combine their love of plants, people, and the environment to help residents in their communities solve problems and make environmentally-sound decisions.
How to become a Master Gardener [1]
Contact a County/City Master Gardener Coordinator [2]
Find a local Master Gardener County/City Program [3]
Contact the State Master Gardener Program Office [4]
Our Programs
Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinic [5]
[5]
During Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinics, UME Master Gardeners assist the public by answering plant, lawn care, landscape, and pest problems. The plant clinics are typically held at local libraries and farmers markets. Please visit the county/city UME Master Gardener Program websites [3] for plant clinic details.
Ask a Master Gardener Plant Clinic Handout (PDF) [6]
Bay-Wise Program [7]
[7]
During Bay-Wise programming, Master Gardeners educate the public about Bay-Wise landscape management best practices and conduct one-on-one site visits at private/public properties to help qualify the properties for the following certifications: Bay-Wise Maryland Yardstick for Landscapes and Bay-Wise Maryland Yardstick for Vegetable Gardens. Please visit the county/city Master Gardener Program websites [3] for program details.
Composting [9]
[9]
Composting programs (also known as Urban Nutrient Management) includes education about backyard and community composting, soil improvement techniques, soil testing, and fertilizer use. Please visit the county/city Master Gardener Program websites [3] for program details.
Grow It Eat It [11]
[11]
Grow It Eat It (GIEI) programs promote backyard and community food production. Please visit the county/city Master Gardener Program websites [3] for program details.
Grow It Eat It Handout (PDF) [12]
Native Plants [13]
[13]
Native Plant programs educate the public about native plants and invasive plants in Maryland. Please visit the county/city Master Gardener Program websites [3] for program details.
Native Plants Handout (PDF) [14]
Pollinators [15]
[15]
Pollinator programs educate the public to identify native and non-native insect species; learn to attract beneficial insects (pollinators and natural enemies) to a garden; and learn to include IPM-Integrated Pest Management techniques to your gardening routine. Please visit the county/city Master Gardener Program websites [3] for program details.
Pollinators Handout (PDF) [16]
Therapeutic Horticulture [17]
Being inclusive of all Maryland residents is a program goal for the UME Master Gardener Therapeutic Horticulture Program. During UME Master Gardener Therapeutic Horticulture programming, UME Master Gardeners offer specialized horticulture programming to vulnerable populations. UME Master Gardener Therapeutic Horticulture Programs often partner with assisted living facilities, hospitals, schools, public gardens, non-profits, and other local organizations/programs to offer programming. To learn more about this program, please contact the Master Gardener County/City Coordinators [18] directly for details.
