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Katelyn Brinkerhoff
Statewide Master Gardener Coordinator

Interested in Nevada landscapes, plants and more?

Sign up for our Home Horticulture and Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Programs. Take the two programs back-to-back for only $450. You'll get a $75 discount off of the advanced course!

REGISTRATION CLOSED FOR 2026

Home Horticulture Certificate Program

Whether you're a new gardener or looking to deepen your horticulture knowledge, the Home Horticulture Certificate Program offers an opportunity to learn research-based gardening practices from University of Nevada, Reno Extension professionals.

About the certificate program

This multi-week, fully online course is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in home horticulture while offering the flexibility to learn from wherever you are. Each week combines pre-recorded lectures, readings, homework assignments, and live Q&A sessions with horticulture professionals. Live sessions are held via Zoom, giving participants the opportunity to ask questions, explore course topics in greater depth, and connect with Extension experts.

Chapter	Topics
Chapter 1	Soils and Plant Nutrients
Chapter 2	Composting
Chapter 3	Propagation
Chapter 4	Herbaceous Ornamentals
Chapter 5	Vegetable Gardening
Chapter 6	Native Plants
Chapter 7	Woody Ornamentals
Chapter 8	Tree Fruits and Nuts
Chapter 9	Small Fruits
Chapter 10	Container Gardening
Chapter 11	Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Participants who successfully complete the course requirements and final exam will receive a Home Horticulture Certificate of Completion from the University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

The program does not provide a professional designation or title; however, completion of the course may be included on a resume or CV as professional development.

Interested in Becoming a Master Gardener volunteer?

The Home Horticulture Certificate Program is also the first step toward becoming an Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Nevada. Completion of the certificate program is a prerequisite for individuals who would like to continue into Master Gardener volunteer training.

Cost for the certificate program

The cost of the Home Horticulture Certificate Program is $275. The funds from the program include course materials and support the Extension horticulture program and staff. Additional reading materials will be suggested for participants to purchase on their own.

Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program

Ready to dig deeper? The Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program is designed for individuals who want to expand their knowledge beyond the foundational topics introduced in the Home Horticulture Certificate Program.

Developed by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Horticulture team, this program follows the educational content included in Extension Master Gardener training but is designed specifically as a non-volunteer pathway. Participants can access advanced horticulture education without becoming an Extension Master Gardener volunteer.

About the advanced certificate program

The Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program is fully online and self-paced, allowing participants to work through the course materials on a schedule that works for them. It is offered mid-fall.

Course chapters are assigned at the beginning of the program and include pre-recorded lectures, readings and homework assignments. Participants have until the end of December to complete all required coursework and the final exam. This course does not have any live Q & A components.

The Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program is Part Two of the two-part Home Horticulture Certificate series. Completion of Part One is not required to enroll; however, some advanced course materials may reference concepts and chapters covered in the Home Horticulture Certificate Program.

Chapter	Topics
Chapter 12	Botany
Chapter 13	Wildlife
Chapter 14	Lawns
Chapter 15	Landscape Design: NevadaScapes
Chapter 16	Weeds
Chapter 17	Youth, Community, and Therapeutic Gardening
Chapter 18	Diseases and Disorders
Chapter 19	Diagnostics
Chapter 20	Insects

Earn an Advanced Certificate of Completion

Participants who successfully complete the course requirements and final exam will receive an Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate of Completion from the University of Nevada, Reno Extension.

The certificate does not provide a professional designation or title, but completion of the program may be included on a resume or CV as professional development.

Cost for Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program

The Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program costs $250. Registration fees include course materials and help support University of Nevada, Reno Extension horticulture programming and staff. Additional books or reading materials may be recommended throughout the course and, when applicable, are purchased separately by participants and are not required.

Take them back-to-back!

Take the two programs back-to-back for $450. That's a $75 discount!
*Discount will be honored when registering for the Advanced Home Horticulture Certificate Program.

Interested in volunteering in your community?

Become a Master Gardener volunteer!

Upcoming Extension horticulture events

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in an Extension event, please contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at least 14 days prior to the scheduled event.

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News Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...
Irises year-round in the desert southwest Irises are surprisingly easy to grow, but advice online must be modified for the Mojave Desert and southern Nevada. Tasks to start and maintain irises in a home garden in southern Nevada are presented for each month. Robinson, M.L., Ochoa, C., and Lloyd, S. 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno

Learn more about the program's team

Katelyn Brinkerhoff

Program Leader & Contact

Wendy Hanson Mazet

Team Member