Master Gardener Program

The Master Gardener Program trains garden enthusiasts to learn, grow, and teach others about plants and gardening in the home landscape. Participants receive 40 hours of training via webcasting, face-to-face, and hands-on workshops, while interacting with others of similar interests. After completing their training, Master Gardener Interns volunteer 40 hours of service in county approved projects related to gardening education to become active Master Gardeners. To maintain active status, Master Gardeners must attend at least 10 hours of county approved continuing education and volunteer at least 20 hours of service on county approved projects.

Master Gardener Member Information 

Group Projects

Project Money Request

Image
Master Gardener
  • Extension Office Community Gardens 
  • House of Compassion Community garden
  • School Garden Beds In Marshalltown
    • Miller Middle School
    • Lenihan Intermediate 
    • Hoglan Elementary
    • Fisher Elementary
    • St. Francis Elementary 
    • Franklin Elementary 
    • Rogers Elementary 
    • Woodbury Elementary 
  • Gutekunst Public Library Garden
  • East Marshall Middle School and Public Garden 
  • Central Iowa Fairgrounds Landscaping
  • Grimes Farm

Need to enter volunteer or continuing educational hours?

Go to the Volunteer Recording System

Log in with your username information (contact Chelsea if you need assistance with your log in information). Reset your password if necessary. 

Enter your hours! Active Master Gardeners need: 20 Volunteer 10 Continuing Education hours. Interns need: 40 Volunteer hours NO Continuing Educational hours are required. 

 

Marshall County Training Offerings

Seasonal Articles

Articles are taken from the Yard and Garden Horticulture and Home Pest Website

 

Planting Potatoes

Small potato tubers may be planted whole. Large potatoes should be cut into sections or pieces. Each seed piece should have one or two “eyes” or buds and weigh approximately 1.5 to 2.0 ounces. After cutting the tubers into sections, place the freshly cut seed pieces in a humid, 60 to 70 F location for one or two days. A short “healing” period allows the cut surfaces to callus or heal over before the seed pieces are planted. Healing of the cut surfaces helps prevent the rotting of seed pieces when planted.

Planting Trees in the Spring

Spring is a time of renewal, growth and new beginnings. Planting a new tree (or trees) is a great way to add beauty to your landscape, improve air quality, provide wildlife habitat and reduce home energy consumption. Planting trees requires specific steps and aftercare to ensure a successful outcome. In this article, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists answer your questions about how to best plant new trees that will enhance your landscape and create a legacy that will be enjoyed for generations.

 

Prepare Garden Tools for Spring

With spring around the corner, now is the time to clean up the garden shed and prepare tools and supplies for the gardening season. In this article, horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offer information on how to clean, sanitize, sharpen and prepare your garden tools for spring.

 

Planting Fruit Trees This Spring

For those looking to grow and enjoy fruit from their backyard, spring is the ideal time to start. However, to ensure healthy growth and good yields, it is important to select fruit tree cultivars that will be successful in Iowa’s cold climate, and to plant them in a way that will set them up for a lifetime of enjoyment. Suzanne Slack, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach fruit crops specialist, discusses tips for planting successful, fruitful fruit trees this spring.