Welcome to UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County

Public Events Suspended!

In the midst of the world-wide emergency regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), the top priority of UC Master Gardeners is for the health and safety of our communities. In compliance with CDC and State mandates, until further notice, Master Gardeners of Nevada County have suspended public workshops, events and activities:

This has been a difficult situation for many, but due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus, the ensuing safety recommendations, and closure of the Elks Lodge, and the NID grounds, our public workshops have been canceled through May. The Demonstration garden at the NID complex is also closed.
The annual Spring Plant Sale May 9^th at the NID complex has been canceled.
The much-anticipated release of the updated Western Sierra Foothill Garden Guide will be delayed until further notice. We will be sending out notifications as soon as possible to “launch” our new book!
However, the Master Gardeners and Friends radio program will air live on KNCO, 830 on the AM dial on Saturdays from 10am to noon. This is a call-in program, so plan a call to speak with a Master Gardener, and ask your home gardening questions during that time. The number to call at the KNCO studio is 530-477-5626. On dates Master Gardeners are not available for a live broadcast, past shows will be played from previously recorded podcasts (if this is the case, the call-in feature is not available).
The Veterans Memorial Building is closed, therefore so is the Master Gardener office. Since our office is closed, the Hotline will also be on hold until Master Gardeners are able to get into the office to staff the phone.
However, for your garden questions, there is a “Got Questions?” link on this website, where you may ask your question electronically. It also allows photos, so if you have a pesky bug you need help identifying, or a mystery plant, email your question with a photo and one of the Master Gardeners will reply as soon as possible.
Follow us on Facebook! – this is another way to link with Master Gardeners. Questions can also be posted on the Facebook page (UCCE Master Gardeners of Nevada County). Currently, check out the photo of the Clock Tower garden in downtown Grass Valley. This is a garden space that has been tended by Master Gardeners!

For now,consider accessing some of the great links from the list here on our home page. These sites are chock full of information! The Curious Gardener newsletter is a compilation of Nevada and Placer County Master Gardeners and contains a wealth of gardening information and fun facts.

Also, there is an abundance of information at the other sites which include information on Vegetable gardening, Orchards, and Water-Wise gardening choices. The Composting link provides access to several great composting videos and slide shows with user-friendly speaker's notes!

As we wait to be able to meet together again, watch for updates here, on our site, or look for us on Facebook.

Ask a Question

Do you have a question about gardening? Click here to find out how to reach us.

News from the Demonstration Garden

The Demonstration Garden at 1036 W. Main Street, Grass Valley, (on the NID grounds) is currently closed. We hope you'll come visit once the garden is open!

SPRING IN THE DEMO GARDEN

After a dry winter, we’re hoping for many April showers. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait until May for flowers.

We start looking near the end of January. Sentinel manzanita, Red Hot Poker, Oregon Grape and Silk Tassel highlight the garden. Next the fruit trees put on a dramatic show, although we noticed a scarcity of honey bees. Perhaps they will increase as the season progresses. Some native insects were busy pollinating, so perhaps there will be a good harvest. The various colors of pollen in the fruit blossoms are fascinating—brown on the nectarine, yellow on peaches, plums and apples, and pink and red on Asian pears. A bee on the nectarine had a pollen sac full of brown pollen!

Soon cheery daffodils and the lovely magenta saucer magnolia have taken center stage. Poppies started blooming the second week of March and some of the blueberries were in bloom. Spring renewal is ongoing, and we need to visit the garden regularly, not to miss a moment of excitement. Of course, we also need to visit to pull weeds and groom the garden beds, which are mundane tasks made easier when we contemplate the beauty of spring unfolding.

Our new hoop house is proving it's value as we continue to propagate plants! Constructing it was a big project, and now we are wondering about the next big project. Master Gardeners already have some ideas, and the year is young. In the meantime, let’s head back to the garden to see what is blooming now.