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UF/IFAS Extension banner showing yellow flowers, a group of volunteers outdoors, a monarch butterfly on a plant, and the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer logo.

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.

Master Gardener Volunteer showing how to set up a hydroponic planter

They can give talks and programs to schools, clubs, community groups, and organizations on many topics. These topics include things like lawns, lichens, insects, and butterfly gardening.

If you have a topic you are interested in, let us know. We likely have an expert who can give a helpful program.

You can call the office or send an email to request a speaker.

For a full list of topics, see the 2026 Updated Speakers Bureau List of Topics.

 Image of various houseplants with information on the upcoming lecture  Flyer that shows the Sheila Dunning Extension Building and lists all the activities for the event

   

  • WHAT IS A MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER?

    The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer program that helps UF/IFAS Extension and the people of Florida. It depends on volunteers who enjoy gardening and want to help their community.

    The mission of the Master Gardener Volunteers is to help Extension agents teach gardening information based on research to Florida residents. Their goal is to be the most trusted source for gardening education in Florida.

    To become a Master Gardener Volunteer, you must apply and complete an interview. After that, you take a 15-week training course. Then you complete 75 hours of hands-on training with experienced Master Gardener Volunteers. After finishing the class, interns must also complete 10 hours of continuing education within 12 months.

    A group of individuals seated in a large room being trained to become Master Gardener Volunteers

    To stay a Master Gardener Volunteer in Okaloosa County, you must complete 35 volunteer hours and 10 hours of continuing education each 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.

    Volunteer wearing long sleeves, gloves, and a sun hat helping with an outdoor project beside a wooden structure in a forested area. Volunteer dressed for outdoor work standing near a trail sign on a grassy path, with another volunteer nearby holding supplies.

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

    A person wearing gloves and outdoor clothing collecting pulled weeds into a trash bag along a roadside planting area.  Two people standing side by side in a grassy field near a roadway, wearing casual outdoor clothing. Two people collecting weeds and placing them into a black trash bag while working outdoors in a grassy area near buildings.

    If you have ever wondered how our nursery has so many great plants, it is because of the hard work of dedicated volunteers.

    Thank you to Lee, Olga, Karen, Mic, Jillian, Ginny, Donna, Kathy, Pam, Stevie, and Kelly for all your hard work today!

    Two people standing at a wooden workbench holding small potted plants, surrounded by additional plants in an outdoor nursery setting.  Three people standing under a wooden overhead structure surrounded by potted plants, working together in an outdoor nursery setting.  A person wearing work clothing kneeling inside a greenhouse and positioning a tall potted plant among other potted plants.

    Several people standing under a wooden pergola while tending and organizing potted plants on raised nursery benches.  A person standing behind a wooden bench arranging potted plants under a wooden overhead structure in an outdoor nursery.

    Habitat for Humanity helps build homes, and two of those homes received donated landscaping that was installed by volunteers.

    Thank you to Olga, Carolyn, Karen, Kathy, Lee, Sue, and Sheri for all your hard work!

    Master Gardener Volunteers by Habitat for Humanity trailer  New homeowners posing by a sign with volunteers.

    Roadside Wildflower Project – A small but strong group of volunteers worked hard for two hours to remove Spanish needle plants from the area.

    Three dedicated volunteers—Karen, Karen, and Lee—filled nine black trash bags with weeds and properly disposed of them.

    Wildflower area full of weeds  Several large black trash bags filled with pulled weeds, with two people adding more vegetation during outdoor cleanup work in a grassy park area.  Roadside wildflower area after cleanup, with Spanish needle weeds removed and open soil visible near the roadway.

    Master Gardeners were there for the opening of the Crestview Garden Club’s Seed Library. The Seed Library will be available for people who visit the Crestview Library.

    Thank you to Jillian, Shari, Sheri, Mic, Dean, and many others who were happy to answer questions from homeowners.

    Several people standing outdoors near a table displaying various items under a blue ‘Crestview Garden Club’ banner during a community gathering.  People gathered at a long table during an outdoor event, with pamphlets displayed and a sign reading ‘Plant Clinic.’  People standing and interacting around tables with materials displayed during an outdoor community event in a shaded grassy area.

    Master Gardener Volunteers also take care of and improve the Native Plant Trail at the Crestview Extension Office.

    They work on the trail every month. Because of their hard work, the trail will soon have a grand re-opening. People in the community will be able to walk through the trail, learn about plants, and enjoy nature.

    A person installing a numbered trail marker along a wooded path.  Two people working together with buckets and tools during outdoor trail or landscape maintenance.

    We also want to thank the volunteers who often give presentations and talks on many different topics.

    Master Gardener Volunteer Andy recently gave a talk about landscape design to a group of more than 40 residents.

    People seated at tables listening to a presentation in a classroom, with slides projected on a screen.

    Finally, we want to congratulate Master Gardener Volunteer Lee for his award-winning entries at the Pensacola Interstate Fair.

    Lee won 10 blue ribbons and 3 red ribbons. He also received three major awards: the Arboreal Award, the Collector’s Showcase, and the Grower’s Choice award.

    Three award ribbons from the Pensacola Interstate Fair, including blue and red rosette ribbons labeled for horticulture awards.

     

  • OKALOOSA COUNTY AT A GLANCE
    • Our plant hardiness zone is 8b to 9b.
    • The average temperature each year is about 76°F.
    • Summers can be hot, with temperatures in the 90s.
    • Winters can be cold, and sometimes temperatures drop below freezing.
    • Temperatures can be different in the northern and southern parts of the county.
    • The average first frost is around November 15.
    • The average last frost is around March 20.
    • The growing season is from mid-March to mid-November.
    • The area gets about 62 inches of rain each year.
    • On average, there are about 5.1 inches of rain each month.
    • The most rain usually falls in July.
    • The least rain usually falls from October to February.
  • PLANT SALE

    Thank you for making our April plant sale a success! Stay tuned for updates on our Fall plant sale!

     

     

     

     

     

  • LECTURE SERIES

    The Okaloosa County Master Gardener Volunteers host a monthly lecture series. These talks cover many different gardening topics. The events are free, but you must register to attend. You can register by emailing your name, phone number, and the number of people attending to  MGLecture@yahoo.com

    The first lecture of the 2026 series will be on Monday, April 20 at 10:00 a.m.

    Learn all about dahlias from Jonalyn Carver, the owner of Blossom Lane Farm.

    To register, call 850-244-4490 or email your name, phone number, and the number of people attending to MGLecture@yahoo.com

    Flyer with images of dahlias and providing information on how to register for the lecture along with the dates

     

  • THE COMPOST PILE NEWSLETTER

    An alligator gardening

    The Compost Pile March 2026

    To view past issues of our newsletter, click here

     

  • PHOTOS TO ENJOY

    Christmas 2025

    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 Gardener Volunteers help with many different programs and projects. They take care of the Extension demonstration gardens and the native plant trail.

    They are available during the week to answer gardening questions by phone, email, or in person.

    They also offer free monthly classes and plant help clinics. You can find the dates and topics on the event calendar.

    Aerial map with driving directions to the Temporary South Extension Office at Okaloosa Technical College on Lewis Turner Boulevard.

    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