Colorado Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners are Important to Our Community
Colorado Master Gardeners (CMGs) are members of our community who love lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables. They are passionate to learn and share their knowledge with others. Master Gardeners are life-long learners who complete an initial training that covers various aspects of horticulture with the intent to teach others while volunteering in our community. Their goal is to help foster successful gardening with Larimer County residents.
Have a yard or garden question?
Master Gardeners are available year-round and are often found at many community events during the growing season. Send your questions and photos to LarimerMG@gmail.com.
Master Gardeners Make Larimer County Better
- Complete 24 hours of volunteer time per year
- The volunteer time Master Gardeners donate is invaluable to Larimer County.
- Complete 12 hours of continuing education
- This ensures that all volunteers are knowledgeable.
How and Where do Master Gardeners Volunteer?
- Staffing a Q&A booth at a garden center, farmers’ market, or community events
- Assisting with demonstration gardens
- Writing gardening articles for local publications or social media
- Providing one-on-one education to residents
- Responding to phone calls or emails about gardening questions
- Presenting programs to community groups
A special program of the Larimer County Master Gardeners is the Tree Team. Diagnosing tree issues can be difficult over the phone or email. Additionally, a large portion of questions Master Gardeners receive are about woody plants. The Tree Team was formed so Master Gardeners could provided site visits to better support residents of Larimer County.
Education for Tree Team Members
Master Gardeners who want to join the tree team must complete 24 additional educational hours. During the classes, they will learn:
- How trees respond to stress
- Woody plant root function
- How to identify different species of trees
- Pests of concern in our area
Tree Team Fast Facts:
- About 33 members
- Complete about 100 calls a year
- Started in 1999
Have an event coming up? Master Gardeners are available:
- Event Speaker
- Master Gardeners can give a presentation about a yard or garden topic. Please note, presentations may incur a nominal fee.
- Q&A Booth
- Invite Master Gardeners to host a Q&A table or booth. They can answer yard & garden related questions. There is no fee for a Q&A booth.
Contact Alison O’Connor for more information: AStoven@larimer.org
An application, background check, and interview is required to become a Master Gardener. Due to the intensive on-boarding process, only a few are selected each year.
If you are selected, in your first year you will:
- Complete approximately 60 hours of college-level horticulture instruction in their first year. Topics will include:
- How plants grow
- Soils, fertilizers, and amendments
- Turf management
- Plant pathology and Integrated Pest Management
- Tree planting and care
- Complete 50 hours of volunteer time
Applications for the 2024 year will close on September 15th, 2023. The application process will take 30-60 minutes to complete. You cannot save incomplete applications. Plan to finish it in one sitting. Apply here.
2021
Value of services contributed in Larimer County: $128,601
122 Colorado Master Gardener Volunteers
4,506 volunteer hours
1,503 advanced horticulture training hours
7,784 community contacts
2020
Value of services contributed in Larimer County: $130,240
128 Colorado Master Gardener Volunteers
4,270 volunteer hours
1,773 advanced horticulture training hours
2,645 community contacts
Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider. Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations. CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English. Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables. Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es el inglés.
Col.st/ll0t3
Larimer County Colorado State University Extension
ADDRESS
1525 Blue Spruce Dr.
Fort Collins, CO 80524-2004
Phone: (970) 498-6000
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Our office follows the Larimer County Holiday Calendar for office closures.
