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Master Gardener

All Master Gardener Content

Young man shoveling a pile of compost.

Organic Gardening: Soil Management

Gardeners throughout South Dakota are experimenting with organic gardening. While the adoption of organic gardening methods can be daunting, learning some fundamental soil management concepts will set the foundations for success.

Women look through potted plants on a table in a classroom

Register now to become an SDSU Extension Master Gardener

February 03, 2025

The course is open to anyone who would like to learn horticulture skills and research-based best practices and share their gardening knowledge with others. Participants will learn which plants are well-suited for South Dakota, including trees, shrubs, perennial flowers, turfgrass, vegetables and fruits. Other topics include soils, plant diseases, insect pests and weeds.

Group of volunteers working in a garden center.

Becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer

Interested in becoming an SDSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer? Learn more about our program requirements, volunteer expectations and how to apply.

a broccolini plant is next to a person's hand for scale

SDSU Extension to host off-season Garden Hour series

September 25, 2024

Garden Hour runs weekly during the growing season, typically from May through August. The off-season episodes are scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. Central time on Oct. 8 and Dec. 3, 2024, and Feb. 11 and April 1, 2025.

Monarch Butterflies

SDSU Extension Master Gardener Club Guidebook

Guidebook for SDSU Extension Master Gardener Clubs

A little girl wearing butterfly wings and a little boy wearing honeybee wings scoop dirt and insects out of pails

SDSU Extension, McCrory Gardens to host 7th annual Insect Festival

August 13, 2024

The seventh annual Insect Festival is from 1 to 4 p.m. CDT on Sept. 7, 2024, at McCrory Gardens in Brookings. There will be garden tours, interactive insect education, an insect costume parade, crafts and edible insects.

Group of leafy, green cabbage plants growing in a garden.

Cabbage: How to Grow It

Cabbages are cool-season crops, very closely related to broccoli, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi and brussels sprouts.

Woman browsing a digital tablet in her garden.

SDSU Extension Master Gardener Program Volunteer Policy Guide

This guide offers current and prospective SDSU Extension Master Gardeners information on: applying for the program, maintaining certification, categorizing and reporting service hours, understanding the various levels of volunteer service and much more!

A large moth with bright red and purple patterns sits on a wooden fence post

SDSU Extension, McCrory Gardens host Moth Walk as part of National Moth Week

July 09, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and McCrory Gardens in Brookings are joining moth enthusiasts around the world in celebrating National Moth Week with its annual Moth Walk.

a small cottage with a green door and weathered shingles

SDSU Extension, McCrory Gardens start summer 2024 programming with Garden Discovery Festival

May 14, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension and McCrory Gardens will start its summer programming season with the Garden Discovery Festival on May 19, 2024.