06/01/2026
The Roots of the Walton County Master Gardener Program
If you’ve ever looked at your yard and wondered why a plant isn’t thriving—or what does grow well along Florida’s coast, you’re not alone. Gardening in Walton County can be tricky, and that’s exactly why the Walton County Master Gardener Program exists.
The Master Gardener Program started back in 1973 at Washington State University, created to help everyday people get reliable, science based gardening advice. The idea was simple: train volunteers in horticulture and have them share that knowledge with their communities. The program quickly caught on, spreading across the country. Florida joined in 1979, bringing research based gardening education to a state with a whole lot of sun, sand, and unique growing conditions.
Walton County’s own Master Gardener Program was established in 1998 through the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Since then, local volunteers have been helping residents grow healthier landscapes while protecting the natural beauty of Northwest Florida’s coastal environment.
So, what exactly do Master Gardeners do? Trained by local county extension agents and the University of Florida over a 50 hour plus educational course, they help residents identify plants, diseases, pests, and weeds—and more importantly, figure out what to do about them. Because they understand Walton County’s climate and soil, they can offer practical advice on what plants work best here and how seasonal weather can impact your garden.
One of the program’s biggest focuses is Florida Friendly Landscaping™. That means using water wisely, fertilizing responsibly, limiting unnecessary pesticide use, and choosing plants that are naturally suited to the area. In other words: the right plant in the right place. It’s an approach that makes gardening easier while also helping protect local environments.
Education is at the heart of everything the Master Gardeners do. Volunteers staff a Plant Doctor desk where residents can stop by with gardening questions or problem plants. There are 2 locations in Walton County. The main Extension Office is at 732 N 9th Street in DeFuniak Springs. Master Gardeners are at this location Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM – noon. 850-892-8172
The Coastal Branch Extension Office is at 70 Logan Lane in Grayton Beach. Master Gardeners are there on the first and third Mondays of each month from 9:00 AM-noon. 850-622-7904
Master Gardeners also host plant clinics around Walton County and offer soil test kits to help homeowners better understand what their lawns, flower beds, or vegetable gardens really need. The next plant clinic will be April 18, 2026, at the Hammock Bay Farmers Market from 4:00-8:00 PM.
The program also reaches well beyond the backyard. Master Gardeners help landscape Habitat for Humanity homes, maintain demonstration gardens, hold a plant and tree sale annually (where you can find plants native or adapted to our area).
Walton County Master Gardeners present a free Lectures Series each month from September through May, on the first Wednesday or Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM. The location changes monthly from Padgett Park in South Walton County to the Extension office in DeFuniak Springs. The master gardeners bring in speakers from the surrounding areas to educate the public on various topics of interest to local homeowners.
If you’d like to learn more about the Walton County Master Gardener Program, like our page. Interested in becoming a Master Gardener yourself? Information about upcoming training opportunities is available from the Walton County Extension office at 850 892 8172 or email: [email protected].
At the end of the day, the Walton County Master Gardener Program is about more than plants. It’s about sharing knowledge, caring for the environment, and helping the community grow a greener world.
Jean Smith and Barbara Young
Walton County Master Gardener Volunteers
