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.

Fall Plant Sale September 23

Fall MG Plant Sale List 2017

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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.

Late Summer in the Garden

The summer has flown by, along with many hot afternoons and thirst-provoking days. In spite of the summer heat, which seemed to go on forever, many plants thrived. The pollinators didn’t seem to be bothered by the heat either. Bees and butterflies were plentiful despite rising thermometers.

A honeybee on Leaf Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare ‘Grosfruchtiger’)

But what about the Master Gardeners? With planning around the hot weather, essential garden tasks were accomplished; some were busy despite the heat constructing a new planter box with high sidewalls and level sitting surface to facilitate cultivation without straining backs.

Notice the ledges for sitting on the new planter

Many Master Gardeners worked to make our booth at the County Fair both attractive and informative. And, as the temperature finally dipped below 90°, we started anticipating our fall activities. The tomato crop looks promising for the Tomato Tasting, and the container garden is producing a variety of peppers, tomatillos and herbs. The Propagation Team has been busily repotting cuttings for the Fall Plant Sale. The two new Co-Facilitators for the Demonstration Garden planned general clean-up days to ensure an impressive appearance for our visitors.

The new planter confirmed something that we all believe: good soil encourages hearty growth. A Master Gardener trucked in new soil and then trundled it to the bed in a wheelbarrow. New plants were soon planted. Their growth was amazing as they quickly responded to the healthy soil. The tomato plants grew part way up the tower trellises by mid-July, and three weeks later they were over the top of the trellises. The lesson was obvious: nurture your soil and you will feed your family well.