Mission Statement
The Mission of the Master Gardener Society of Oakland County, Inc. is to enrich the lives of those who love gardening. We are volunteers who fulfill our commitment to community outreach by providing hands-on gardening and research-based horticultural education. Members of the Society are Master Gardeners certified by Michigan State University.
Did you know that the Master Gardener Society of Oakland County, Inc., is a 501(c)(3)? As such, all donations are tax deductible for you. If you would care to make a donation to support our Annual Garden Conference “Gardening and All That Jazz,” our education initiatives, Bowers Farm, grant programs, and general initiatives. We are thankful for all donations, large and small.
Upcoming 2026 MGSOC General Meetings
MGSOC General Meetings are free to MGSOC members. Members are REQUIRED to wear their Master Gardener badges. Visitors are always welcome and pay $5 at the door. Please sign in at the welcome table by 6 PM with Julie Bird. Our business meetings begin at 6:30 PM and our speakers begin shortly after.
In 2026, MGSOC Monthly General Meetings will be held at our new location, the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Each month offers an hour or more of educational credit for Extension Master Gardeners. All are welcome, it’s not necessary to be a Master Gardener to attend.
For a list of 2025 MGSOC General Meeting Education Topics and perks of being a member, click HERE!
Tuesday,
March 10, 2026
Mark Covington, Sustainable Fruit and Vegetable Gardening
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
April 14, 2026
Emily Lardner, Secret Weapons of a Professional Gardener: Trick, Tools and Techniques for Successful Gardens
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
May 12, 2026
George Papadelis, New Annuals and Perennials for 2026
Held at Telly’s Greenhouse in Troy
Tuesday,
June 9, 2026
Marilyn Trent, The Mini Forest
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
July 14, 2026
Melanie Fuhrmann, Cut Flower Gardening
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
August 11, 2026
John Keast, Straw Bale Gardening
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
September 8, 2026
Gary Eichen, Evolution of the Urban Forest
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
October 13, 2026
TBD
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
Tuesday,
November 10, 2026
TBD
Meeting to be held at the Troy Community Center. The address is: Troy Community Center, Room 304, 3179 Livernois, Troy, 48083 (near I-75 and Big Beaver). You will park on the East side of the building from Livernois Road, and enter at the the Banquet door/East entrance. The meeting room will be on your right as you enter the building.
December
Member Holiday Party (Date TBD)
Past Meeting Recordings
Recordings from Past Meetings 2023-2025
Past Meeting Handouts and Websites
- November 12, 2025 – Plants I Would Not Garden Without with Julia Hofley - Handout
- September 10, 2025 – How to Make a Butterfly/Pollinator Garden with John Blair - Handout
- August 9, 2023 – Fall Finale with Julia Hofley - Handout
- March 15, 2023 – Waking Up the Garden Part II with Janet Macunovich - Handout
- October 11, 2022 – Go For the Gold with Julia Hofley - Slide list
- September 13, 2022 – Planting Deer Resistant Bulbs with Sarah Rautio - Bulb and deer articles
- September 13, 2022 – Planting Deer Resistant Bulbs with Sarah Rautio - Pollinators websites
- September 13, 2022 – Planting Deer Resistant Bulbs with Sarah Rautio (Presentation)
- August 9, 2022 – Pollinator Gardens with Brian Peterson (Bees in the D) - Article in "Seen” magazine
- August 9, 2022 – Pollinator Gardens with Brian Peterson (Bees in the D) - Bees in the D website
- June 14, 2022 – Healthy Gardens: Preventing Disease with Lori Imoboden (Hollyhock rust IPM)
- June 14, 2022 – Healthy Gardens: Preventing Disease with Lori Imoboden (Cedar apple and other related rust diseases)
- June 14, 2022 – Healthy Gardens: Preventing Disease with Lori Imoboden (Plant Diagnostic List)
- March 8, 2022 – Waking Up the Garden with Janet Macunovich (Handout 2)
- March 8, 2022 – Waking Up the Garden with Janet Macunovich (Handout 1)
- February 8, 2022 – Garden Design for Winter Interest with Jan Bills
- January 11, 2022 – Winter Sowing with Jean Persely
- October 12, 2021 – Well and Lesser Known Insects of the Midwest with David Lowenstein
- September 14, 2021 – Moving and Transplanting Plants with Janet Macunovich
- August 10, 2021 – Ground Cover Plants with Julia Hofley