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.

SPRING PLANT SALE COMING IN MAY!

This popular public plant sale takes place on Saturday, May 9th from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at the Nevada Irrigation District business grounds at 1036 W Main Street in Grass Valley, CA. All plants are grown by Nevada County Master Gardeners and the funds raised from this sale support our ongoing community activities throughout the year. Purchases can be made with cash or check only, please.

Bring your wagons, boxes, baskets and bags - shop early for the best selection! Check the following list and see how many varieties of flowers, herbs and vegetables will be offered this year! (Be aware that plants are always subject to crop failure or poor germination, so some plants may not be available at the sale or have limited availability.) Click here to view the list of plants to be grown for the plant sale. 2020 Spring Plant Sale List

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) offers a wonderful variety of plant venues. Including an orchard, oak habitat, and a Mediterranean garden, 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 Garden

“Winter resting time” is deceptive. It may look peaceful and perhaps a little bleak, but much has been going on. Bare branches show bark variations from one shrub to another, roots continue to grow underground and buds begin to swell. The buds on our favorite Sentinel manzanita are showing color, and the tulip magnolia has fuzzy buds. The “red hot poker” (Kniphofia) still stands tall with lovely red blooms. The native mahonia (Berberis repens) is still colorful with dark blue-purple berries and rust among dark green leaves. Narcissus bulbs are starting to show evidence of spring coming soon.

Although we are a bit behind in the amount of our average precipitation, winter has provided an interesting mix of sunshine, rain and some snow – of course, winter isn’t over yet.

Native plants on the newly created mound in the Oak Habitat appear to have settled in. Several Master Gardeners from the Class of 2019 were helpful in getting them planted last fall. It’s time to start pruning the fruit trees, to make hardwood cuttings of plants for the plant sales and to refresh container and other planting beds. The slower pace of winter is for planning, and soon the garden will be buzzing with activity, both human and insect.