Attention Internet gamers and Instant Message junkies: Gardeners are making headway into your online world.

MSU's Horticulture Gardening Institute recently has created partnerships with nine state master-gardener programs and several public gardens and arboreta.

"Our goal is to have as many partners as possible," said Chris Geith, co-executive director of the institute.

The master-gardener program are volunteer organizations that gives advanced gardeners training on plant science and home horticulture. The program then allows the gardeners to train other volunteers at their local universities how to address residents' concerns about horticulture problems.

The new partnerships mean that the Gardening Institute's 12-week online program will be coupled with master gardener in-person events.

"Online experience helps plan in more detail and practice skills more in-depth with different dimensions," Geith said. "By putting this online, it enables Michigan and other states to meet the continuing education needs for master gardeners and general gardens."

Monica David, Illinois Master Gardener State Coordinator, said the online program is a great resource for other states to use.

"We are all looking to put out information for master gardeners and the gardening public in effective ways," David said. "The online option is really important for master gardeners and regular everyday gardeners."