Program Overview

Sustainable Horticulture Certificate

The Sustainable Horticulture Certificate is an online, self-paced course based on the Master Gardener basic training. It provides an educational opportunity that does not require a volunteer commitment, making it suitable for beginner to advanced home gardeners as well as green industry professionals.

Course Description

Students will learn through interactive online modules carefully crafted by experts within each specific plant area. Topics include:

• Soils
• Vegetable gardening
• Entomology (insects)
• Integrated pest management
• More!

Each module runs about 30-60 minutes, and once a module opens, students can access the materials at their leisure.

Certificate and Representation

Students will receive a certificate upon completion of the course. Please note that the Sustainable Horticulture Certificate does not imply that the holder is representing the University of Maryland as a certified Master Gardener volunteer.

Timing and Cost

This course will run annually from late winter-early spring and costs $225.00. There are no required textbooks for this course.

Course Schedule

The course is structured over 10 weeks, covering the following topics:

1. Week 1: Ecology and Botany
2. Week 2: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Pesticide Safety
3. Week 3: Plant Pathology and Entomology
4. Week 4: Soils and Turf
5. Week 5: Native Plants and Conservation Landscaping
6. Week 6: Weeds and Invasive Plants
7. Week 7: Woody Plants and Indoor Plants
8. Week 8: Vegetable Gardening and Vegetable Gardening IPM
9. Week 9: Work on project (optional) and prepare for final exam
10. Week 10: Final exam and project due

Accessibility and Support

The University of Maryland Extension is committed to making its programs, activities, and facilities available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

The course is grateful for the support of USDA-NIFA in creating some of the teaching materials used in this course.