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.

Spring Time Observations

Hurray for our record rainfall this past winter! After multiple years of drought, the effect on our plants has been gratifying in both growth and flowering. Spring started with fruit tree blossoms, daffodils, hellebores, spirea, and forsythia. Next we saw Wisteria, Phlox, Candytuft, Scabiosa, Euphorbia, Silver Lupine, Canyon Snow Iris, Snowdrop Bush, Foothill Penstemon, Peonies and California Poppies. Our new map of the garden added to the beauty as it interpreted what visitors might see.

We welcome the enthusiastic Master Gardener Class of 2017. They studied diligently and are already participating in many of our activities. Experienced Master Gardeners will willingly share what they have learned, and before long the new graduates will become the experienced Master Gardeners who will continue the garden in the years to come.

Growth and change are basic themes in our Demonstration Garden. While we embrace the new, which includes both personnel and the garden areas, we appreciate all that was done in the past and pay tribute to the many Master Gardeners that made it happen. We recall our past history and eagerly plan for the future in this special demonstration garden.

Snowdrop Bush in the Oak Habitat Styrax redivivus

Western Nevada County Gardening Guide