Welcome to UC Master Gardener Program of Santa Clara County Initial Training 2025. This course is offered by UC Cooperative Extension through the Master Gardener Program. 

The UC Master Gardener Training is designed to enrich your horticultural knowledge so that you can provide unbiased, science-based information to residents of Santa Clara County. The training will cover topics such as soil and plant nutrition; irrigation; weed, insect, and disease management; fruit and vegetable production; sustainable landscaping; and pesticide use alternatives. We will also have units on the use of scientific sources, principles of adult learning, and community engagement. 

By the end of the training, you will 1) have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of gardening, 2) know how to find science-based information to answer gardening questions, 3) have an understanding of how to engage and educate members of the Santa Clara County community, and 4) be familiar with the structure and function of the UC Master Gardener program of Santa Clara County. With these skills and knowledge, you will be equipped to share science-based information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices with the public through the many organized volunteer activities the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County have to offer. 

Each class is taught by a different guest instructor. Instructors include University of California academics, faculty from other local colleges, staff from community organizations, and other Master Gardener volunteers.