Gardening here is different. Learn more, grow more.
Colorado gardening and landscaping takes grit…. and knowledge of our unique soils, climates, and plants. CSU Extension has been helping people grow in our great state for 150 years. Join us to learn the basics from our Colorado horticulture experts through our flexible ‘Green School’ program.
TRAINING COURSES & OPTIONS
We have a certifying FULL COURSE option and multiple SHORT COURSE options to meet anyone’s needs. Regardless of the course, you’ll receive in-depth horticulture training provided by CSU faculty, staff, and specialists.
FULL COURSE
$530 | Register now through October 25
- Training Schedule pdf | Course Syllabus pdf
- Classes will run late October 2023 – March 2024
- This course is offered only once a year
- Access to 14 self-paced online classes
- Live weekly class reviews with CSU subject matter experts
- To obtain certification, trainees must complete 8 online classes and pass the comprehensive final (open-book, research encouraged) with a 70% or better
- You’ll have access to the online courses for one year
- Sorry, no refunds
ONLINE & LIVE VIRTUAL CLASS LEARNING
Our full course training is “hybrid” – classes will be a mix of online, webinar and live, web-based Q&As with specialists. You won’t just be reading and completing courses online, you’ll have access to CSU subject matter experts for live weekly reviews hosted online. Short course participants do not attend weekly reviews, but will have access to subject matter experts by email for Q&A.
The online class content is up-to-date, engaging, self-paced and includes integrated readings, videos, activities and quizzes. Courses are science-based and specific to Colorado’s unique (and challenging!) climate, soil, environment, insects, wildlife, and plants.
SHORT COURSES
REGISTER BY COURSE | Enroll Anytime! Price: $195/short course
- COLORADO GARDENING FOUNDATIONS: Soils, Entomology, Tree Care & Planting, Colorado Gardening Challenges, Irrigation
- LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT BASICS: Soils, Lawn Care, Weed Management, Irrigation, Tree Care & Planting
- PLANT DIAGNOSTICS: Soils, Botany, Integrated Pest Management & Plant Diagnosis, Entomology, Plant Pathology
- GROWING FOOD: Soils, Vegetables, Small Fruits, Tree Fruits, Entomology
Short courses are bundles of 5 self-paced, online courses. Click on each short course above to see the complete schedule. There are no live weekly class reviews for short courses but you do have direct email access to course instructors. A certificate of completion will be provided to participants upon completion of all courses. No refunds.
Classes include:
SOILS & AMENDMENTS BOTANY: HOW PLANTS GROW COLORADO GARDENING CHALLENGES ENTOMOLOGY PLANT PATHOLOGY INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT & PLANT DIAGNOSIS LAWN CARE / TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT WEED MANAGEMENT SCIENCE OF PLANTING TREES & TREE CARE VEGETABLES FRUIT TREES SMALL FRUITS PRUNING IRRIGATION To obtain certification, trainees in the full course must complete 8 online classes and pass the comprehensive final (open-book, research encouraged) with a 70% or better. Upon completion of the course, you’ll receive a Colorado Gardener Certificate. However, because there is no subsequent volunteer commitment, participants do not become Colorado Master Gardeners. The title of ‘Master Gardener’ is a registered service mark and only to be used for CSU Extension events and purposes. The Colorado Gardener Certificate may be displayed in a place of business and used in business marketing. Short Course participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for the specified short course. All courses must be completed to earn this certificate. Contact GreenSchool@colostate.edu for details. The full course is comparable to a 4-credit class. In comparison, tuition for a four-credit class at CSU is $1,932. This option requires a completed application, interview, and background check in addition to training fees and a 50-hour volunteer commitment to your local county in the first year. Learn more.
EARNING YOUR CERTIFICATE
ENROLLMENT
Full Course Registration:
Short Course Registration:
FEES
Considering the Colorado Master Gardener Volunteer program?