Master Gardener Course Outline
- Botany - Nomenclature, plant structure and chemistry
- Plant Identification I - Evergreen trees and shrubs
- Soils I - Soil texture, structure, fertility, pH and how these factors relate to plant health
- Plant Identification II - Evergreen shrubs and perennials
- Soils II - Soil tests, amendments, mulches, cultural practices, soil/water relations, how they affect plant health
- Plant Identification III - Perennials and groundcovers
- Water, Soils and Plant Health - Strategies for remediation of drainage and erosion problems
- Propagation and Houseplants - Propagation from cuttings and seed, popular houseplants, common cultural and pest problems
- Vegetables - Cultivation of common garden vegetables
- Plant Diseases - Causes, identification and control (IPM) of common diseases of ornamental plants
- Plant Pests - Causes, identification and control (IPM) of common landscape pests
- Weeds - Causes, identification and control (IPM) of common landscape weeds
- Integrated Pest Management - Principles and practice of IPM in the landscape
- Rhododendrons / Roses - Cultivation, diseases, pruning, & varieties for special environmental conditions
- Pruning I - Pruning methods and their effects on plant growth and development
- Ornamental Landscape Plants - Suitable plants for a variety of environments, hardiness zones & shade, as well as suitability for design use
- Pruning II - Specialty pruning considerations; trees, shrubs, hedges, climbers
- Pruning Lab - Pruning of ornamental trees, shrubs and hedges. Students must bring their own bypass pruners.
- Turf - Characteristics and culture of common West Coast turf grasses, turf installation, maintenance and pest control
- Plant Identification IV - The design and use of bulbs and annuals
- Xeriscaping/Native Plants - Plants for extreme situations, waterwise strategies to combat high water use, the culture of native plants
- Fruit - Cultivation of tree fruit and berries
- Plant Installation - Handling, planting and staking, strategies for special environmental conditions – compacted soils, high water tables, high winds
- Container Gardening - Design, year-round care, specific environmental stresses and solutions
- Plant Identification V - Deciduous trees and shrubs
- Organic Food Gardens - Culture, soils and pest management of a food garden without chemicals
- Plant Identification VI - Climbers and perennials
- Water Gardens - Components and workings of a water garden, the culture of water plants
- Plant ID VII - Perennials
- Review
- Final Exam