Gardeners in the Pacific Northwest and beyond can soon access the vast gardening expertise of Washington State University Extension’s renowned Master Gardener Program.
The rollout of the new Washington Green School will mark a new chapter for WSU’s longstanding gardening program. Covering gardening fundamentals and more advanced topics like pruning, pest management, water conservation strategies, and fire-resistant landscaping, the broad curriculum will be available to the public October 2025.
“The Master Gardener Program began at Washington State University over 50 years ago and is now an internationally recognized and adopted model for community volunteerism and education,” said Vicki McCracken, WSU Extension director and associate dean. “This is a natural evolution for our premier evidence-based gardening education that ensures it will reach a broader audience.”
Data from the National Gardening Association indicates that around 80% of U.S. households garden. And, according to the National Institutes of Health, those who garden enjoy better nutrition and a more active lifestyle.
Consumer horticulture is a huge industry, and gardening as a hobby tends to boost community cohesion and a personal sense of accomplishment, said Jennifer Marquis, WSU Extension Master Gardener Program statewide lead.
“I’ve heard so much enthusiasm about the new Washington Green School,” said Marquis. “By extending our research-based curriculum to more people, we are taking a big step toward fulfilling our mission of creating healthier communities and increasing individual well-being.”
Marquis is confident that the comprehensive Washington Green School curriculum has something for everyone, from beginner gardeners looking for research-based answers, to established green thumbs and even professionals seeking certification credits.
The nearly 30 chapters of the accompanying Green School handbook will go in depth into aspects of responsible landscaping, sustainable gardening, and plant maintenance and management.
As part of the Master Gardener Program leadership team, Jim Kropf, director of WSU Pierce County Extension, was instrumental in developing the new curriculum.
“Making Washington Green School publicly available gave us an incredible opportunity to update the Master Gardener Program teaching curriculum, prioritize topics, and engage with high-quality presenters,” he said. “Our new Master Gardener training handbook will be introduced at the same time as our updated online resources, so there are many reasons for excitement.”
Washington Green School will utilize the same handbook and educational materials as the Master Gardener Program, but Green School participants will not be required to fulfill volunteer hours or requirements. For those seeking world-class scientific expertise on the latest best practices but lacking the time to volunteer, Washington Green School will fill that niche.
The program is also a win for the state’s natural resource- and environmental-based industries in terms of employee skill development and access to science-based information, said WSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Unit Director Karen Lewis.
“The WSU Green School addresses the training needs for both WSU Master Gardener volunteers and individuals who need educational credentials to successfully compete for green industry jobs or advance in their current positions or careers,” she said. “This certificated training delivers on our goal to meet people where they are.”
Anyone interested in enrolling in Green School can register at the Green School website beginning this September 2025.
“I think our newest offering will have far-reaching impacts across the Northwest,” Marquis said. “If the 80% of households in Washington state who garden are applying this research-based horticultural and environmental stewardship, then this knowledge can impact our natural resources and the health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities in ways we can’t fully understand yet.”
Further information
A sustainable approach to gardening means thinking about the big picture, like water conservation, wildfire preparedness, and the health of our pollinators. Gardening is part of an active lifestyle and can also bolster local food systems. From the stewardship of natural resources to the health of our local communities, a Resilient Washington is one in which each of these components is considered and enriched.
Media contact
Jennifer Marquis, Master Gardener Program Statewide Lead, email: jgmarquis@wsu.edu, phone: 509-335-1723