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.

Winter in the Demo Garden!

The unpredictable weather of winter in the foothills gives us time for contemplation as we walk through the wintry Demonstration Garden. What grew well in the past year? What needs nurturing? What are our long-term plans? And what tasks need to be done soon? Between storms we will rake leaves under the fruit trees, thin germinating California poppies and pull weeds as they pop up. The orchard team will prune and complete three applications of dormant spray. The raised beds will be groomed in readiness for spring. The new bed in the Oak Habitat looks great, ant there are plans for additional native plants.

We are especially excited about the new hoop house. The frame has been erected, but there is much work to be done before we can use it. The soil floor must be leveled and then we can install propagation benches and irrigation. A committee is delightedly considering all the options for using this new structure.

Our new hoop house

As we continue our stroll through the garden, bare branches remind us of the colorful leaves we saw in October on the persimmon and smokebush. The Silvergrass, which was green and starting to bloom in early October, is now a burnished gold. We notice the glowing embers of the Poker Plant and the bright red pebbly berries of the Strawberry Tree. Watching the seasons change deepens our appreciation of plants, helping us remember why we maintain the Demonstration Garden and further motivating us to share the joys of gardening with the public.

Silvergrass (Miscanthus sinensis)