• Welcome to the UC Master Gardener Program's Recorded Trainings

    To become a  UC Master Gardener, volunteers must complete an intensive home horticulture training and pass an exam testing their knowledge and ability to find scientific-based answers to public inquiries.  Training programs throughout the state vary greatly in class size, lecture vs. hands-on time, length of sessions, etc.  Due  to COVID-19 and the safety of our communities a statewide order of sheltering-in-place for California has made it necessary to cancel and or postpone all in person training classes.  

    If you would like to become a UC Master Gardener volunteer please visit https://mg.ucanr.edu/volunteer/ for more information.


    Repository
    This course is functioning as a repository for UC Master Gardener related training that volunteers can view remotely.  Recordings, online resources and quizzes, for volunteers will be posted here as they become available during this time of transition.  
  • Course Instructions

    This course is functioning as a repository for UC Master Gardener related training that volunteers can view remotely.  Recordings, online resources and quizzes, for volunteers will be posted here as they become available.

    To start :  

    1. Find a topic you are interested in by viewing the table of contents or on the grid
    2. Click on the topic
    3. Read the course description
    4. All topics have a self paced video component and may include required reading, optional additional reading and possibly a quiz. 
    5. For UC Master Gardener Volunteers:  Once finished with a topic enter the allowed amount of continuing education time (noted in topic description) in the Volunteer Management System. 

    • Recording Continuing Education

      After the introductory year, UC Master Gardener volunteers are required to obtain a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education (CE)  \each year to be eligible for reappointment.  The training's offered here qualify for CE credit for the UC Master Gardener Program, the amount of CE earned is listed in each course.  After you have completed the course, enter your hours into VMS. 

    • Table of Contents

      Books sitting on a shelfTable of Contents 
      1. Home Survival in Wildfire-Prone Areas Design & Maintenance Considerations (Fire)
      2. Maintaining an Existing Landscape (Drought Related)
      3. Planning a Low Water Landscape (Drought Related)
      4. Introduction to Horticulture (Training Class)
      5. Botany for Gardeners (Training Class)
      6. Weeds (Training Class)
      7. Weed Management in the Landscape (Training Class)
      8. Control of Weeds in the Garden Landscape (Training Class)
      9. Diagnosing and Managing Arthropod Pests (Training Class)
      10. Plant Identification- tools and techniques for learning how to identify plants (Training Class)
      11. Plant Propagation (Training Class)
      12. Vertebrate Pest Management (Training Class)
      13. Plant Diagnostics (Training Class)
      14. Entomology (Training Class)
      15. Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions (Climate Related)
      16. Asian Citrus Psyllid for Backyard Growers (IPM)
      17. Slugs and Snails (IPM)
      18. Avocado Cankers and their Causes (IPM)
      19. Avocado Root Rot Disease Management (IPM)
      20. Laurel Wilt Disease (IPM)
      21. Invasive Shot-hole Borer (IPM)
      22. Bee Gardening
      23. Container Gardening (Ornamentals)
      24. Gardening in Crisis: An American Norm
      25. Creating an Oasis for Yourself and Others
      26. Virtual UC Master Gardener Mini-Conference
      • 1A: Growing Together Through it All! (General)
      • 1B: Gardeners with Heart: Incredible Volunteers Doing Incredible Work (General)
      • 1C: Houseplants: Soil, water and such for sustainable indoor growing (Horticulture)
      • 2A: Composting for Soil Health (Horticulture)
      • 2B: Search for Excellence Winner: Reminiscence Gardening (General)
      • 2C: Search for Excellence Second Place: Gardening with Underserved Communities (General)
      • 3A: Fire Safe Landscaping, S. Calif. (Horticulture)
      • 3B: Preserving Your Garden Harvest (General)
      • 3C: Search for Excellence Third Place: Mornings at Martial Cottle Park...Lessons in the garden for school children (General)
      27. UC Master Gardener LIVE Series 
      • 1: Pollinator Party! Three Principles for Bee Gardening  (Horticulture)
      • 2: Tomato Troubles! Common Tomato Problems in the Home Garden  (Horticulture)
      • 3: Healthy Soils Week: Tips to keep your garden soil healthy (Horticulture)
      • 4: Invasive Plants: Planting right with PlantRight! (Horticulture)
      • 5: Trees Come First Under Drought and Water Restrictions (Horticulture)
      • 6: Healthy Soil: In nature, sometimes less is more (Horticulture)
      • 7: Harnessing the Magic of the Soil Food Web: Turning Dirt into Gold (Horticulture)
      28. ABC's of Horticulture (English and Spanish) (Horticulture)
      29. Urban and Community Integrated Pest Management Webinars 
      2022 webinar
      • Controlling Weeds (IPM)
      • Invasive Species in California (Part 2) (IPM)
      • Squirrels (IPM)
      • Understanding Subterranean Termites: the Social Cockroaches Eating Our Homes (IPM)
      • Bed Bug Prevention (IPM)
      • New Year, New Pests (Invasive Pests, Part 1) (IPM)
      2021 webinars
      • Understanding Pesticides (IPM)
      • Controlling Ants Around the Home (IPM)
      • Identifying Insect Pests in the Home and Garden (IPM)
      • Weed Identification (IPM)
      • Plant Diseases and Abiotic Disorders (IPM)
      • IPM for Rodents (IPM)
      • Springtime Household pests (IPM)
      • Navigating the UC IPM website and new features (IPM)
      • What is IPM? (IPM)


      • 1. Home Survival in Wildfire-Prone Areas Design and Maintenance Considerations

        Single FlameSpeaker:  Yana Valachovic, County Director and UC Forest Advisor, Humboldt & Del Norte Counties
        Format:  YouTube Video
        Duration:  1 hour (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.0 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        “Life in Southern California is being transformed as the climate grows hotter, drier and in places like Ventura County, windier. In the last few years, this dangerous combination has fueled some of the largest and most destructive wildfires in the state's history. Consequently, Master Gardeners are fielding more questions around the topic of fire-smart home design and landscaping.

        Valachovic discusses  changes in defensible space policy and home construction guidelines. The presentation will cover the three key points that assist in home survival: 

        1. Careful landscape selection, placement, and maintenance
        2.  Awareness and management of combustible materials on the property (e.g. leaf litter or lawn furniture) during your fire season, and 
        3. Incorporation of fire and ember resistant construction materials, installation details and maintenance.

        Developing wildfire resilience is more than having a metal roof or stucco siding. Ember-resistant construction relies on awareness of seemingly small details that can make your home vulnerable to embers, in addition to building with appropriate materials, and regular home and property maintenance. 

        The UC Master Gardeners are an important arm in the UC's fire resiliency educational messaging. 


      • 2. Maintaining an Existing Landscape

        Drop of WaterSpeaker:  Janet Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension Horticulturalist
        Format:  YouTube Video, optional reading
        Duration:  73 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.50 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System

        Description

        Janet Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulturalist, presented Maintaining and Existing Landscape at the "New CA Landscape" workshop for UC Master Gardeners. This 73 minute presentation was recorded in Davis, CA on April 7, 2016 and generously paid for through a grant from the California Department of Water Resources.  

        Topics include:

        • Plant water use
        • Irrigation auditing and scheduling
        • Turf
        • Maintaining landscape plants
        • Maintaining edible plants
        • Graywater use

      • 3. Planning a Low Water Landscape

        Water IconSpeaker:  Steven Swain, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticultural Advisor
        Format:  YouTube Video, optional reading
        Duration:  76 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.50 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System

        Description

        Steven Swain, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Horticulture Advisor, presented Planning a Low Water Landscape at the "New CA Landscape" workshop  for UC Master Gardeners. This 76 minute presentation was recorded in Davis, CA on April 7, 2016 and generously paid for through a grant from the California Department of Water Resources.

         Topics include:

        • Irrigation updates and changes
        • Calendaring change
        • Alternatives to turf
        • Native plants and Mediterranean plants
        • Hydrozoning
        • Smart meters
        • Graywater and rain collection

      • 4. Introduction to Horticulture

      • 5. Botany for Gardeners

      • 6. Weeds

        Person sitting in front of computer screenSpeaker:  Dr. Oleg Daugovish, UC Cooperative Extension Strawberry and Vegetable Crop Advisor, Ventura County
        Format:  
        Required Reading, Zoom Video, Quiz
        Duration:  2.5 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 2.50 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 


        Description

        This session was recorded for UC Master Gardener volunteers. In this presentation, Dr. Oleg Daugovish discusses all things weed, including biology, dispersal, benefits, disadvantages, and control. He also shares his research testing various control methods and useful resources.


      • 7. Weed Management in the Landscape

      • 8. Control of Weeds in the Garden and Landscape

        Icon of person sitting in front of computer screenSpeaker:  John Roncoroni, Weed Science Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension Napa County
        Format:  Zoom Recording, Quiz
        Duration:   3 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 3 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 

        Description  

        This recording is from the UC Master Gardener Certification Training in Butte County. John Roncoroni presents via Zoom. His presentation covers the biology of weeds, how to identify weeds, how to control weeds and gives important information on the use of herbicides.


      • 9. Diagnosing and Managing Arthropod Pests

        person sitting in front of computer iconSpeaker:  Anna D. Howell, Entomologist
        Format:  
        Required Reading, Zoom Video, Quiz
        Duration:  2.75 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 2.75 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 


        Description

        Entomologist Anna Howell discusses the role of Master Gardeners in helping to diagnose insect problems. She reviews common garden pests and their symptoms, as well as strategies to control arthropods safely with integrated pest management. 


      • 10. Plant Identification- tools and techniques for learning how to identify plants


        person sitting in front of computerSpeaker:
          Scott Oneto, UC Cooperative Extension Environmental Agriculture and Natural Resource Advisor

        Format:  
        Zoom Video
        Duration:  1.50 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.50 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 


        Description
        This class will teach some of the common tools and techniques used to identify plants. Participants will learn how to use a dichotomous key and practice keying out several plants using keys, online tools and mobile apps. 

      • 11. Plant Propagation

        Icon of a person in front of a screenSpeaker:  Ellen Zagory, Director of Horticulture at UC Davis Arboretum
        Format:  Required Reading, YouTube Video
        Duration:  4 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 4.0 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 

        Description  

        This course outlines the basics of plant propagation; the multiplication of plants. Topics discussed include methods, materials, and best practices. Not included: Grafting and budding.

      • 12. Vertebrate Pest Management

        Icon of person in front of computer screenSpeaker:  Roger Baldwin, UCCE Specialist within the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation
        Format:  YouTube Video
        Duration:   2.25 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 2.25 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 

        Description  

        Learn management techniques for vertebrate pests in a garden setting. Participants can expect to learn common vertebrate pest species identification, control options and how to assess which option is the best.


      • 13. Plant Diagnostics

        Icon of person in front of a computerSpeaker:  Loren Oki, Specialist in CE (Appt. with Landscape Architecture Program in Human Ecology Department)
        Format:  Required Reading,YouTube Video, Quiz
        Duration:  5 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record  5.0 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 

        Description  

        This course covers how to diagnose a variety of biotic and abiotic plant problems. It focuses on the best method and steps for ensuring you make a proper diagnosis.


      • 14. Entomology

      • 15. Climate Change: Causes, Consequences and Solutions


        Icon of the world globeSpeaker:  Arnold J. Bloom,  Professor in the Environmental Science department at University of California Davis

        Format: 
        Link to online web-based course, videos lecture, assignments, quizzes and exam. 
        Duration:  120 hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners, record 120 hours if you complete the course in it's entirety, or track the hours you do complete and enter as continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Climate Change, a topic that includes Global Warming, refers to the relatively abrupt shift in weather patterns that has occurred during the last few decades. 

        This free online course examines:

        •  The factors responsible for climate change; 
        •  The biological and sociological consequences of such changes; and 
        •  The possible engineering, economic, and legal solutions to avoid more extreme perturbations. 

        It includes a free multi-media textbook, introductory videos, course tools, weekly themes, daily mini-lectures, weekly assignments, and exams.

      • 16. Asian Citrus Psyllid for Backyard Growers

        Person in the middle of a circle of ideasSpeaker:  Dr. Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell
        Format:  YouTube Video (Series, UC Ag Experts Talk)
        Duration:  77 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.25 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Dr. Grafton-Cardwell discussed Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) as a vector of Huanglongbing (HLB), symptoms and distribution of HLB, monitoring methods for ACP and HLB and what to do if you think you have them, how weather and flush affect populations, what are the scientists doing about HLB, and what should you as a homeowner be doing if you are in an HLB-infected area.


      • 17. Slugs and Snails

        Person in middle of though circleSpeakers:  

        • Dr. Cheryl Wilen
        • Dr. Rory McDonnell
        • Dr. Alder Dilman 
        • Dr. Irma DeLey

        Format:  YouTube Video (Series, UC Ag Experts Talk)
        Duration:  63 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.25 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Speakers cover an overview of snail and slug biology, damage and management with an emphasis on brown snail and Italian white snail, and current research on slug biocontrol using nematodes. 

      • 18. Avocado Cankers and their Causes

        Person in middle of though circleSpeaker:  Dr. Ben Faber
        Format:  YouTube Video (Series, UC Ag Experts Talk)
        Duration:  63 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Dr. Faber covers the identification and biology of different types of avocado cankers (including black streak, bacterial canker, Botryosphaeria and Phytophthora trunk cankers) and management practices to prevent these diseases.


      • 19. Avocado Root Rot Disease Management

        Person in middle of though circleSpeaker:  Dr. Ben Faber
        Format:  YouTube Video (Series, UC Ag Experts Talk)
        Duration:  52 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Dr. Faber covers the identification and biology of root rot, management practices to prevent these diseases, and the pesticides available to treat them, including resistance management tactics.


      • 20. Laurel Wilt Disease

        Person in middle of though circleSpeaker:  Dr. Monique Rivera
        Format:  YouTube Video (Series, UC Ag Experts Talk)
        Duration:  60 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Dr. Rivera discusses current knowledge of the laurel wilt, the biology and ecology of its vectors - Ambrosia beetles, current known presence of the laurel wilt disease in the US, its identification, and prevention of this disease in California.


      • 21. Invasive Shot-hole Borers

        Speaker:  Beatriz Nobua-Behrmann, Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension Orange & Los Angeles Counties 
        Format:  Online Course offered here on eXtension
        Duration:  60 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        This training provides information about the invasive shot-hole borer beetles: an emergent tree pest that affects many trees in Southern California. It includes an overview of the beetles and the fungal disease they vector, their impact on the urban forest, how to identify the infestation symptoms, and what are the best practices to manage the infestation and avoid spreading this pest. 


      • 22. Bee Gardening

        Icon of a green sproutSpeaker:  Missy Gable, Statewide UC Master Gardener Director
        Format:  YouTube Video
        Duration:  1 hour (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        This class provide justification for pollinator landscapes, introduce some common pollinators, and presents simple steps for successful pollinator landscapes.


      • 23. Container Gardening (Ornamentals)

        icon of the green sproutSpeaker:  Ellen Zagory, Director of Horticulture at UC Davis Arboretum
        Format:  YouTube Video
        Duration:   50 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record  1 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Audience is UC Master Gardener Trainees 

        Description  

        Learn which ornamental plants look best in containers, and how to care for them.

      • 24. Gardening in Crisis: An American Norm

        UC Master Gardener Poppy LogoSpeaker:  Rose Hayden-Smith, Ph.D.
        Format:  YouTube Video
        Duration:  75 mins (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.25 hours of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Author, historian, and UC ANR Emeritus Advisor, Rose Hayden-Smith, Ph. D., discussed the history of Victory Gardens in America, their significance during WWI and WWII, and their relevance today during the COVID crisis. Rose is also the editor of UC Food Observer and a Food and Society Policy Fellow.


      • 25. Creating an Oasis for Yourself & Others

        Poppy Logo of the UC Master Gardener ProgramSpeakers:  

        • Missy Gable, Statewide UC Master Gardener Director 
        • Anne Iaccopucci  Academic Coordinator for Healthy Living 
        • Marcel Horowitz , Healthy Youth, Families & Communities Advisor

        Format:  YouTube Video
        Duration:  1 hour (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record 1.0 hour of continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        Description  

        Special Wellness Webinar for University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Volunteers. Creating an Oasis for Yourself & Others was presented live via Zoom on 5/13/20. In this environment of broken routines and uncertainty, chances are you - and those around you - are experiencing big feelings. Stress and coping are frequent topics of discussion as worklife, homelife, and social life collide, expand, and contract. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and we are all in need of tools, new and old, to improve our resilience. After all, taking care of yourself, your family, and your friends can help you cope with stress and can make your community stronger. 

        The speakers focus our attention on taking care of ourselves and each other. You’ll learn about the therapeutic benefits of gardening, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and personal resilience. Whether you are a University of California employee or a volunteer, creating an oasis during challenging times could be the most important task of all.


      • 26. Virtual UC Master Gardener Mini-Conference Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2020

        California Poppy Flower over a blue square turned on end (UC MG Logo)Speakers: Various Speakers
        Format:  YouTube Videos
        Duration:  11 total hours (self-paced)
        Continuing Education: UC Master Gardeners record the hours indicated below per session, as continuing education in the Volunteer Management System.  

        1A: Growing Together Through it All!  0.75 hours

        1B: Gardeners with Heart: Incredible Volunteers Doing Incredible Work 1.5 hours

        1C: Houseplants: Soil, water and such for sustainable indoor growing 1.25 hours

        2A: Composting for Soil Health 1.25 hours

        2B: Search for Excellence Winner: Reminiscence Gardening 1 hour

        2C: Search for Excellence Second Place: Gardening with Underserved Communities 1 hour

        3A: Fire Safe Landscaping, S. Calif. Focus 1.5 hours

        3B: Preserving Your Garden Harvest 1.25 hours

        3C: Search for Excellence Third Place: Mornings at Martial Cottle Park...Lessons in the garden for school children 1.25 hours

        11 total hours

        Description  

        The virtual 2020 UC Master Gardener Mini-Conference (Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2020) was a LIVE stream success. All nine sessions streamed directly to the statewide Facebook and YouTube channels, which made for lively comments and instant access to recordings. 

      • 27. UC Master Gardener LIVE Series

      • 28. ABC's of Horticulture

      • 29. Urban and Community Integrated Pest Management Webinars