What We Do

Master Gardener Volunteers participate in a wide range of programs and projects. They maintain the Extension demonstration landscapes and the native plant trail.

They are available during the week to answer horticulture questions via telephone, email, and walk-ins.

Free monthly seminars are offered by our Master Gardener Volunteers as well as monthly plant clinics. Dates and topics may be found on the event calendar.

They can provide programs to schools, organizations, garden clubs, and civic groups on many topics. Anything from lawns to lichen--insects, butterfly gardening, etc. Let us know what topic you want, and we probably have an expert who would be able to provide a great program. You may call the office or email us with your request for a speaker. For a full range of topics 2025 Updated Speakers Bureau List of Topics

Camellia Show & Plant Sale

• WHAT IS A MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER?

  The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. It relies on dedicated volunteers who have an interest in gardening and in giving back to their community. The Master Gardener Volunteer mission is to assist Extension agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents. The vision of the Master Gardener Volunteers is to be the most trusted resource for horticultural education in Florida.

  To become a Master Gardener Volunteer, you must apply to the program and go through an initial interview process. What follows is a 15-week intensive training course followed by 75 hours of internship under the tutelage of veteran Master Gardener Volunteers. Interns must also complete 10 additional hours of continuing education within 12 months of completing their class.

  

  To remain a Master Gardener Volunteer in Okaloosa County, you must complete 35 volunteer hours and 10 continued education hours during the calendar year

• CAUGHT IN THE ACT (OF VOLUNTEERING)

  A big part of being a Master Gardener Volunteer is just that, volunteering, giving of your time and knowledge to our clients. There are also numerous projects that the MGVs participate in. 

  The Native Plant Trail has needed a lot of work. Many Master Gardener Volunteers have worked hard on this project. Here are just a few.

  

  Another work day in the Wildflower Area! Thanks to Beth, Carolyn, Karen, Karen, Shari and Lee for doing the hard work!

   

  If you ever wondered how our nursery manages to have so many great plants, it's all thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers. Thank you to Lee, Olga, Karen, Mic, Jillian, Ginny, Donna, Kathy, Pam, Stevie, and Kelly for all their hard work today!

     

   

  Habitat for Humanity - two homes get landscapes donated and installed. Thanks to Olga, Carolyn, Karen, Kathy, Lee, Sue, and Sheri for all your hard work!

   

  Roadside Wildflower Project - a small but mighty workforce cleared Spanish needle plants from the area in two hours of intensive activity. Nine black trash bags of weeds were disposed of by three dedicated volunteers: Karen, Karen, and Lee.

     

  Master Gardeners were on hand for the inauguration of the Crestview Garden Club's Seed Library, which will be available to the patrons of the Crestview Library. Many thanks to Jillian, Shari, Sheri, Mic, Dean, and many others who were eager to answer homeowners' questions.

     

  MGVs also maintain and improve the Native Plant Trail located at the Crestview Extension Office. Their monthly workdays mean that the trail will soon have its grand re-opening, where residents can stroll, learn, and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer.

   

  We can't forget the volunteers who regularly give presentations and informative lectures on a wide range of topics. MGV extraordinaire Andy recently gave a lecture on designing your landscape to a group of over 40 residents.

  

  And finally, we all want to congratulate Master Gardener Volunteer Lee for his award-winning entries at the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Lee brought home 10 blue ribbons and 3 red ribbons. This was in addition to three MAJOR awards: Arboreal Award, Collector's Showcase, and Grower's Choice.

  

   

• OKALOOSA COUNTY AT A GLANCE
  • Our plant hardiness zone is 8b to 9b
  • The average annual temperature is 76° F. Summer highs can be in the 90s, and winter lows can occasionally dip below freezing. Temperatures vary between the northern and southern parts of the county.
  • Our first average frost is November 15th, and the last average frost is March 20th.
  • Our growing season is from mid-March to mid-November.
  • Average yearly rainfall is 62 inches. The monthly average is 5.1 inches. Expect the most rain in July and the least amount from October to February.
• PLANT SALE

  Check back for updates on when our next plant sale will be held!

   

   

   

   

• LECTURE SERIES

  The Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteers host a monthly Lecture Series. These lectures cover a wide range of gardening topics. These are free events. You do have to register and may do so by emailing your name, phone number, and the number attending to MGLecture@yahoo.com

  Our Lecture Series is over for this year. We'll be adding more topics for 2026 so stay tuned for more information on upcoming lectures!

   

• THE COMPOST PILE NEWSLETTER

  The Compost Pile October 2025

  To view past issues of our newsletter click here

• PHOTOS TO ENJOY

  In the Landscape Slideshow

  Master Gardener Volunteers in Action Slideshow

• MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

  Welcome to your one-stop shopping for forms you may need as a Master Gardener Volunteer and a link to Better Impact where you log in your hours.

  DONATION IN KIND

  PRESENTATION EVALUATION FORM

  SITE VISIT REPORT

  REMOTE CONTACT LOG

  

  FIELD TRIP POLICY

  SITE VISIT POLICY

  PHOTO VIDEO RELEASE FORM

  PURCHASE REQUEST FORM

  Gone Too Soon

• CONTACT US

  Master Gardeners are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the Extension Building located at 3098 Airport Road in Crestview. The phone number is 850-689-5850.

  Master Gardeners are also located on the Okaloosa Technical College Campus in Ft Walton Beach on Fridays. Summer hours are 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and in the winter months from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. The phone number at that location is 850-651-7210. Here's a map on how to find us there.

  

  You can also email us at mastergardener@myokaloosa.com

• SOIL TESTING

  

  You may bring 1-2 cups of your soil sample in a Ziploc® bag and we will test the pH in house for free. We also have the bags and forms for you to send your sample to the lab in Gainesville. Click on the image above for more information on the soil lab and check out the FAQ page.

  Not sure how to take a sample? Here is a pdf on how to take a sample. HOW TO TAKE A SOIL SAMPLE