What Is Hennepin County Master Gardeners?

Hennepin County Master Gardeners is a volunteer program that provides research-based horticultural information and educational activities to residents of Hennepin County, Minnesota. If you have a yard or garden question and want a local, science-backed answer, this is the organization to contact — either through its website or its gardening hotline at (612) 301-7590.

What the organization does

Master Gardener volunteers are committed to providing high-quality, research-based horticultural information and educational activities that enhance the community's environment and quality of life. In practice, that means:

• Answering gardening questions from Hennepin County residents through a phone hotline.
• Running educational activities for both adults and youth.
• Sharing research-based information rather than anecdotal or product-driven advice.

The program's stated purpose is to help yards and gardens grow while improving the local environment.

Who it serves

The program serves the Hennepin County community. Its educational offerings are split into two audiences:

Volunteers are recruited from a range of gardening backgrounds — the site notes it looks for people with varied gardening experience, good communication skills, and an interest in sharing knowledge with others.

What you can find on the website

The site functions as an entry point for local gardening help and event information. Key sections include:

• Upcoming Events — a calendar of programming. One listed example is "Grow Yourself Inside: Indoor Gardening Academy and Houseplant Sale," scheduled for October 3, 9:00 am–3:00 pm.
• Gardening Tales Blog — practical, seasonal posts. Recent entries include a profile of "Oval Office Ivy" (a plant with a White House connection, available at the Houseplant Sale) and "Squiggle the Spider Plant," which covers moving houseplants back indoors for winter and keeping them pest-free.
• Intern Microblogging Project — a running series following the 2026 HCMG intern class through the growing season.
• Become a Master Gardener Volunteer — information on joining the program.

When to use it

Reach out to Hennepin County Master Gardeners if you:

• Have a specific yard or garden problem and want a research-based answer rather than a guess.
• Live in Hennepin County and want local, climate-relevant advice.
• Are looking for gardening classes, events, or a houseplant sale.
• Are interested in volunteering and sharing your own gardening knowledge.

For a direct question, the hotline at (612) 301-7590 is the fastest route. For events, blog content, and volunteer information, the website is the place to start.