Extension Master Gardener

The St. Louis Master Gardener program was established in 1983 through a partnership between the Missouri Botanical Garden and the University of Missouri Extension. This collaboration enables horticultural education and outreach into the St. Louis Community. In 2023, 416 St. Louis Master Gardeners (MG) logged 49,291 volunteer hours in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

The 18-week training begins in January, with afternoon and evening classes held at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Courses are taught by Missouri Botanical Garden staff, MU Extension horticulturists, and industry experts. The program is tailored to growing conditions for the region, and topics include basic plant anatomy, soils, lawn care, flower and vegetable gardening, landscape design, pruning and propagation, and integrated pest management. This in-person training provides MG trainees the opportunity to interact face-to-face with their instructors and receive immediate feedback on their work. It also allows trainees to form relationships with each other that frequently evolve in to volunteer groups, which contribute to the success of the St. Louis Master Gardeners.

If you’re interested in hands-on and handed-down gardening knowledge, consider join the ranks of St. Louis Master Gardeners. Registration opens in mid-October. Please email Holly Records for more information.

St. Louis Master Gardeners Horticulture Answer Service

Master Gardeners are in our office every Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to answer all of your plant questions.

Please stop by, or call us at 314-400-7657 to speak to a Master Gardener during those times.
You can also email stlgardenhotline@gmail.com at any time with your plant questions. Note: The hotline is not staffed 40 hours a week, but you will receive a response in a timely fashion.
- Please give detailed questions and include pictures. Pictures should be as follows:
  1. Distance shot showing its environment.
  2. Closer shot of just the plant itself.
  3. Up-close shot showing the area of concern.
  4. Close-up and overall view of the plant/tree where it emerges from the soil.
If you have questions about commercial horticulture or soil test interpretations, feel free to contact our horticulturist, Elihu Isele, at 314-400-7388.