Become a Master Gardener

Helping Others Learn to Grow

The Master Gardener Association of Cape Cod is a cooperative effort between community volunteers and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension staff to provide unbiased horticultural information to the residents of Barnstable County. Working with Master Gardener volunteers, Extension can expand its ability to provide quality information to the public through an array of horticultural programs.

Master Gardeners are adults of all ages who love gardening and who have previous gardening experience. They come from all walks of life and are willing to learn about horticulture and share that research-based information with others!

Candidates for the annual training program are chosen from a pool of applicants through an interview process . Once selected, all candidates participate in a 60 hour education program, held weekly during the winter. Upon graduating from the program, candidates are required to give back to the Master Gardener Association of Cape Cod in volunteer hours (largely spent during the first year on the plant clinic and hotline).

Master Gardener Programs Include:

  • Plant Clinic & Hotline
  • Backyard Horticulture
  • Children’s Gardens
  • School Gardens
  • Continuing Education Conferences
  • Demonstration Garden
  • Pollinator Pathway
  • Master Gardener Scholarship
  • Annual Plant Sale
  • Soil Test Clinics
  • Speakers Bureau

enhance the economy and environment through horticultural education. Master Gardeners Master Gardeners use applied research and the research resources of the University of Massachusetts. Master Gardeners Master Gardeners connect people with their environment by helping them find sound management practices for home and urban natural resources. Master Gardeners Master Gardeners create and maintain an aesthetically pleasing environment. Master Gardeners Master Gardeners promote well-being through people/plant interactions and horticulture therapy. Master Gardeners Master Gardeners contribute to a safe, abundant food supply through home fruit and vegetable production. Master Gardeners Soil Testing

Have a Gardening Question?

The Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Horticulture Clinic, staffed by Master Gardeners, handles gardening questions, both general and diagnostic and tests soil samples to determine PH levels.