Washington Green School
Green School
Pacific Northwest horticulture courses from WSU Extension
Welcome to Washington Green School!
Want to be the first to know when the Washington Gardener Certificate course registration opens for the 2026-2027 session? Just fill out the form, and we’ll make sure you’re notified as soon as enrollment begins this summer!
Spotlight on our first Washington Gardener Certificate graduates
Love gardening but find it challenging in Washington’s unique climates?
Earning a Washington Gardener Certificate can help! Learn research-based techniques to create a thriving garden that also benefits our environment. From water conservation to supporting local ecosystems, discover how your gardening choices make a difference.
Washington’s diverse landscapes deserve our care.
Green School offers the Washington Gardener Certificate course that empowers gardeners to protect our environment while creating beautiful spaces. Learn how your gardening practices impact our water, air, and local wildlife. Gain the skills to garden sustainably and make a positive difference.
Gardening in Washington has a reputation for being easy—we live in the Evergreen State, after all. But we all know the reality can be more challenging, especially as the climate continues to change. Environmentally responsible gardening practices, grounded in horticultural research, are crucial in Washington to protect our state’s diverse ecosystems, from the majestic mountains and unique shrub-steppe to the delicate coastal habitats, as well as the health of our rural, suburban, and urban communities. The ways in which we garden make a difference to our shared water and air, as well as the broader agricultural economy. Each of us has a role to play in promoting the diversity of plants and animals that live around us.
Join us!
Gain the knowledge and skills to garden responsibly in our changing climate. Learn practical techniques, connect with experts, and discover how your actions contribute to a healthier future for all.
Earn a Washington Gardener Certificate to build your gardening skills through research‑based horticulture and environmental stewardship.
And if interested, take it further to become a WSU Extension Master Gardener Program volunteer by completing additional training requirements.
Both options use the same research‑based curriculum, and earning the Washington Gardener Certificate is required for all Extension Master Gardener volunteers.
The Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook: Growing for the Future | Washington State University is the official course textbook and is available free to the public.
Cover: Pacific Northwest Gardener’s Handbook – Growing for the Future
Hi Green School Team, sending a very heartfelt thank you for all of your support throughout Green School. Thank you for designing, developing, hosting, maintaining, and improving such a fantastic course. I learned so much that I was able to apply directly to my personal garden: I identified an insect (beneficial!) on my indoor lemon tree and discovered that one of my backyard apple trees has anthracnose canker (WHOOPS). I’m so excited to share what I learned with my community, and I feel so much more confident in finding high quality, scientifically based gardening information. I loved this course. Thank you!
Katy (Class of 2026)