Collin County Master Gardeners attend training sessions held in the classroom facilities of Texas A&M University at Dallas.

Master Gardeners are members of the local community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and to help others, and able to communicate with diverse groups of people.

What really sets Master Gardeners apart from other home gardeners is their special training in horticulture. In exchange for their training, persons who become Master Gardeners contribute time as volunteers, working through their cooperative Extension office to provide horticultural-related information to their communities.

To help you decide if you should apply to be a Master Gardener, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I want to learn more about the culture and maintenance of many types of plants?

• Am I eager to participate in a practical and intense training program?

• Do I look forward to sharing my knowledge with people in my community?

• Do I have enough time to attend training and to complete the volunteer service?

If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener program could be for you. If you are a Collin County resident, we invite you to contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Office in Collin County about its Master Gardener program. Applications are available from the Master Gardener Coordinator at the Extension office. For contact information see 'For More Information' at the bottom of this page.

If accepted into the Master Gardener program, you will attend a Master Gardener training course. Classes are taught by Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialists, staff, and local experts.

The Collin County program offers a minimum of 65 hours of instruction that covers topics including lawn care, ornamental trees and shrubs, insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition, vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers; and water conservation. The training is offered at various times during the year at various locations. Your Extension office staff will be able to give you specific locations, dates, and times. Information about upcoming classes can be found here.

In exchange for training, Collin County participants are asked to volunteer time to their Extension program. Sixty-five hours of volunteer service within one year following the training is required to earn the title of "Texas Master Gardener."

The type of service done by Master Gardeners varies according to community needs, and the abilities and interests of the Master Gardeners. Some Master Gardeners answer telephone requests for information related to gardening. Others staff plant clinics or displays in shopping malls or community centers. Master Gardeners may speak to local groups and conduct workshops. They may help establish community garden projects, work with youth, or assist their agent with news or radio releases related to gardening. The Master Gardener Coordinator in the Extension office decides how volunteer time can be best utilized.

Collin County Master Gardeners are representatives of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. In all volunteer work related to the program, Master Gardeners follow the research-based recommendations of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The title "Texas Master Gardener" can be used by volunteers only when engaged in Extension Service-sponsored activities.

Participants become certified Texas Master Gardeners one year after they have completed the training course. During that year they must fulfill their volunteer commitment.

Application forms and additional information are available from the Texas AgriLife Extension Office, Collin County. Call 972/548-4232 (Metro 972/424-1460, x 4232). Write or visit the office at 825 N. McDonald Street, Suite 150, McKinney, TX 75069.