Maine Gardener Training

For your garden.

“I learned so much from this course. Empowered with all this new information, I will head outdoors with a PLAN instead of my usual trial and error! Our environment can’t afford ‘errors’ these days- a healthy respect for insect and wildlife habitat, and gardening with the safety of our food and environment in mind is so important. This course should be a requirement for every gardener!” – Program participant

 

Flexible, Online Learning At Your Own Pace

Ready to Enroll?

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 course is closed.

We will be pausing all three of our training programs for a year to focus on updating our training content, as part of our five-year review cycle. Check back summer 2027 for information on the next session.
Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to the Maine Home Garden News for updates.

About the course:

Get the same comprehensive training as the Master Gardener Volunteer training program without the volunteering requirement.

We offer three versions of our in-depth training, based on your interests. Which of our in-depth courses is right for you?

What’s Included:

  • Engaging videos
  • Informative readings
  • Interactive activities
  • Thought-provoking reflection questions

Learn about:

  • Horticulture Resources and Food Security
  • Foundations of Horticulture: Ecology, Botany, Propagation, Soils, Composting
  • Food Production: Vegetable Gardening, Garden Maintenance, Food Safety, Small and Tree Fruits
  • Garden Pests and Diseases: Prevention, Identification and Management
  • Maine Landscape and Design: Plant Selection, Design, and Maintenance
  • Full Learning Standards Available Here.

Earn:

  • Maine Gardener Training Certificate
  • 7 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
  • Maine Gardener digital badge. Learn about UMaine’s Micro-Credentials

Course Details:

  • 2025 Course Fee: $600, with self-selected sliding scale options available ($300 and $150). Please contact us if the course fee is a barrier for participation.
  • Schedule: Typically late October through late March with several breaks.
  • Format: Online, self-paced through the Brightspace learning platform, with optional live or recorded Zoom Q&A sessions.
  • Technology Requirements: This is an online course. Reliable internet, an email address, and a device with video/audio (laptop, desktop, tablet) are required. Older devices or outdated software may cause technical problems with the course, and smartphones are not recommended.
  • Is online learning right for you? Learn more about the technology and skills required for online learning as well as options for those with limited computer or internet access.
  • Time commitment: 18 week course, 4 -5 hours per week
  • Refund Policy: 50% refunds available before November 1st, 2025 (for 25/26 course).
  • Access: You will have access to the course content in Brightspace through the end of 2026.
  • Transferring: Information about transferring between our training programs available under “FAQs.”

Have Questions?  Contact us at: extension.gardening@maine.edu

For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Rebecca Gray, 207.356.1348; extension.gardening@maine.edu.

Our Other Training Programs:

2 people planting in a raised bed with greenhouse in background

Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training: For your career.

Purple Coneflower

Master Gardener Volunteer Training: For your community. 

 

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).