Fairbanks Master Gardener Class

Taught by Julie Riley

Master Gardener FlierOct. 9-Dec. 6 — Tuesdays & Thursdays — 6-9 p.m.

Come join us this October for the Master Gardener course! We have an exciting agenda planned with lots of hands-on lessons, field trips and guest instructors. Class will be taught by Julie Riley, Tanana District horticulture agent.

Learn how to get your garden growing with abundant colorful blooms, hearty vegetables, thriving lawns and more. Learn gardening skills to share with others in our community. You will earn a Master Gardener certificate upon successful completion of class and an honorary badge after fulfilling your 40-hour volunteer commitment. Come grow with us!

Help us spread the word about class! Share our class poster! Thank you!

REGISTRATION IS DUE BY FRIDAY, OCT. 5! PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS!

About the Course

DESCRIPTION: The Fairbanks Master Gardener course starts with an introduction to Alaska horticulture, covers the basics of botany and soils and then launches into three-hour sessions on each of the following primary gardening topics: food gardening (vegetables and fruit crops), greenhouse construction and heating, growing organically, annual and perennial flowers, selecting and planting trees and shrubs, lawns, plant disease, insect pests, principles of integrated pest management, invasive plants and weed control, and growing houseplants. For a peek at plans for each class, check out the agenda or scroll down to Course Agenda. The last class is an open-book exam.

PREREQUISITE: One year of Alaska gardening experience. If you do not meet the prerequisite but have a familiarity with Alaska gardening conditions, please contact the instructor at 907-474-2423.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT: By registering for the Fairbanks Master Gardener course, you are committing yourself to 40 hours of volunteer service. More information on volunteer opportunities can be seen at here. If you have questions, contact the Cooperative Extension Service office at 907-474-1530 .

LOCATION: Tanana District Extension Office, UAF University Park Building, 1000 University Ave., Room 108. (Please be aware of the road construction along University Avenue. To access our building, use Geist Road and turn into the Hutchison High School parking lot and proceed to Sandvik Street. There are "U-Park Detour" signs to guide you.

PARKING PERK: Since class takes place after 5 p.m., you will not need to pay for parking. There are outlets for extreme temperatures. (Speaking of extreme temperatures — our cold weather cutoff is 30 below.)

Course Agenda

Tues., Oct. 9 — Introduction to the Master Gardener Program; Winter Hardiness, Julie Riley, horticulture agent, Cooperative Extension Service (CES)

Thurs., Oct. 11 — Soil Basics

Tues., Oct. 16 — Growing Organically

Thurs., Oct. 18 — Food Production: Vegetables, Part 1

Tues., Oct. 23 — Food Production: Vegetables, Part 2 (quiz no. 1)

Thurs., Oct. 25 — Fruit Crops & Edible Landscaping

Tues., Oct. 30 — Botany Basics

Thurs., Nov. 1 — Annual & Perennial Flowers

Tues., Nov. 6 — Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Yard & Garden Insects, Jessie Moan, CES IPM technician, Anchorage

Thurs, Nov. 8 — Plant Disease (quiz no. 2)

Tues., Nov. 13 — Greenhouse Construction & Heating; High Tunnels, Art Nash, CES energy specialist

Thurs., Nov. 15 — Growing Plants Indoors

Tues., Nov. 20 — Selecting & Planting Trees and Shrubs

Thurs., Nov. 22 — Thanksgiving Holiday, NO CLASS

Tues., Nov. 27 — Lawn Establishment & Maintenance; Master Gardeners of the Tanana Valley, Don Moreland, president

Thurs., Nov. 29 — Weed Control Strategies, Phil Kaspari, CES agriculture agent, Delta Junction

Tues., Dec. 4 — Insect, Disease & Weed Lab

Thurs., Dec 6 — Exam, open book (extended exam hours)

(Agenda subject to change.)

How to Register

REGISTRATION FEE: $300 with 40-hour volunteer commitment (Fee includes Alaska's Sustainable Gardening Handbook and other class supplies. Book available for pick up at first class.)

REGISTRATION IS DUE BY FRIDAY, OCT. 5!

TWO-PART REGISTRATION: To register for the Master Gardener course, you will need to complete two steps: Registration/payment of fee AND completion of Master Gardener Volunteer Application. Please follow the instructions below:

PART 1: Register and pay course fee: Visit our secure online registration site to sign up for this year's course.

PART 2: Complete the online Master Gardener Volunteer Application. (This step is required immediately following registration.)

(Should you wish to pay with check or cash, please visit our office during business hours for assistance with both online registration and the volunteer application. We are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and closed from 1-2 p.m. daily. Sorry, we are unable to hold your spot in class until payment in full is received.)

TUITION WAIVER: A limited number of tuition waivers are available for those with financial need on a first-come basis. If you wish to be considered for a waiver, please complete the Tuition Waiver Request before registering and paying for the course. Also, be sure to complete the online Master Gardener Volunteer Application. Once your request has been reviewed, you will be contacted to let you know if it was approved or if you need to submit the $300 registration payment.

REFUND POLICY: Full refund if request is made at least one day prior to the start of the first class.

Class Interest List

UNABLE TO JOIN US AT THIS TIME? For those unable to attend class on these dates or during these hours, email rlboswell@alaska.edu to be placed on the class interest list. We will notify you of the next class offering via email.

Course Contacts

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us:

  • Julie Riley, instructor, 907-474-2423 or jariley@alaska.edu
  • Ronda Boswell, administrative assistant, 907-474-1530 or rlboswell@alaska.edu
  • Sally Kieper, professional development/online registration, 907-474-5042 or sakieper@alaska.edu