Welcome to UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County

Nevada County gardens vary widely. Elevations range from 1,000 to 4,000 feet. Soil types are red clay, serpentine, sandy loam, forest loam or something in-between. Generally acidic, soils may lack necessary nutrients and organic matter. Some gardens are below the snowline, while others are often covered with snow and may have frozen soil for an extended time. We know that “One size does not fit all.” Gardening in Nevada County is unlike gardening elsewhere and it is not the same throughout the county. Master Gardeners are here to provide home gardeners in Nevada County with science-based information, whatever their gardening conditions. And, Master Gardeners offer a number of workshops and events to achieve this goal.

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News from the Demonstration Garden

The Demonstration Garden at 1036 W. Main Street, Grass Valley, (on the NID grounds) offers a wonderful variety of plant venues. Including an orchard and oak habitat, the Master Gardener's Demonstration Garden offers visible learning opportunities for the public. Check out the map of the garden: Demonstration Garden Map.

If you would like to schedule a group tour led by a Master Gardener, please call our Hotline office (530) 273-0919.

SUMMER IS HERE

Spring passed in a flurry of activity. Many hours were spent on raising starts for the plant sale—which was terrific as usual. We sold many tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, herbs, flowers and other plants, all of which were snapped up quickly by enthusiastic shoppers. There were also craft items made by Master Gardeners. Next year the plants will be nurtured in our new hoop house, which is currently under construction. The foundation walls have been precisely engineered, some of the dirt floor has been moved in, and we’re eagerly awaiting the next step. The orchard team has erected deer fencing around most of the fruit trees, closing it with an elegant new gate, constructed by a Master Gardener using recycled black iron headboards.

Foundation for the hoop house

The new orchard gate

With summer on its way, abundant and exuberant orange poppies provided rivers of color. Plants in the new native garden bed burst into bloom: Foothill Penstemon, Woolly Sunflower, Seaside Daisy and others. Flowers on the Flannelbush shone brightly, Carpenteria flowers looked pristine and the Purple Smoke Bush produced red smoke. The progression of color is fascinating to see. Something is always going on in our Demo Garden, and we welcome you to stop by for a visit.