Horticulture & Small Farms

Discover the Science of Your Garden

The Savvy Gardener Series pulls back the curtain on the science behind successful landscapes, giving you the tools to garden smarter, not just harder. Across these flexible, self-paced courses—covering everything from botany and soil chemistry to pruning and home food production—you will learn to connect everyday backyard practices with proven scientific principles. It is the perfect way to build confidence and cultivate a thriving garden on your own schedule.

Ready to Go Further?

While the Savvy Gardener Series is designed for independent home learning, the curriculum directly mirrors foundational modules of the university's formal training. If you find yourself wanting to take your expertise to the next level and transition into community outreach, you can choose to pursue the full Master Gardener Course through the University of Idaho Extension. Please note that an application process is required. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
2026 thru 2027

Core Curriculum

The Master Gardener program includes beginning and advanced courses. The Savvy Gardener series consists of 11 micro-courses covering a full range of gardening topics. 

Master Gardener Series

University of Idaho Extension’s Idaho Master Gardener Program provides gardeners with opportunities to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills as well as serve their communities. “Helping people grow” is the motto of the program. The program is conducted through participating UI Extension county offices under the direction of UI Extension educators.
SCHEDULE: TBD

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Savvy Gardener Series

The savvy gardener series is designed to provide home gardeners with practical knowledge and skills to improve their gardening practices. Each course focuses on a specific aspect of gardening, from plant identification to sustainable practices, composting to pruning. This micro-course approach provides an affordable way to learn and grow as a gardener.
SCHEDULE: TBD

What You Will Learn

After completing the Savvy Gardener program’s eleven courses, participants will be able to:

• The Science of Plant Growth: Understand plant anatomy, hormones, and propagation for healthy development.
• Soil Health Foundations: Master soil chemistry, texture, and composting to optimize nutrients.
• Strategic Pruning Techniques: Master pruning techniques to maintain and shape trees, shrubs, and woody plants.
• Pest & Disease Defense: Identify garden pests, manage weeds sustainably, and diagnose diseases early.
• Bountiful Food Production: Maximize vegetable and fruit harvests with proven watering and timing strategies.
• Landscape & Turf Care: Design and maintain resilient, vibrant lawns and flower beds.

Who should pursue these courses?*

• Anyone 18 years or older interested in learning about gardening and small farms.
• Home Gardeners & Hobbyists: Skip the trial-and-error and learn exactly why plants thrive or fail.
• Aspiring "Green Thumbs" Needing Flexibility: Skip the trial-and-error and learn exactly why plants thrive or fail.
• Busy Plant Enthusiasts: Learn via focused, bite-sized deep dives (2–8 hours per module) without a multi-month commitment.
• Pre-Master Gardener Candidates: Build a low-stakes, foundational baseline before pursuing full certification.

* Please note: This SAVVY GARDENER focuses on home gardening best practices. It does not grant official Master Gardener certification or university Extension volunteer hours. For those goals, you will need to apply for the Master Gardener program.