Master Gardeners are community members who have been trained under the direction of the University of California Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners help the UC Cooperative Extension office provide practical scientific gardening information to the home gardeners of our counties.
Vermiculture, the practice of using earthworms to enhance soil health and fertility, presents an exciting opportunity for sustainable gardening. Research has shown that vermicomposting can yield nutrient-dense compost that boosts plant growth while minimizing the need for chemical fertilizers, making it…
Just how does compost happen? Nature, as it recycles by decomposition, provides us with garden gold. UC Master Gardeners of Orange County will teach you why it is important to recycle organic waste, about the right balance of greens, browns, air and water, and how soon you can expect your first batch!…
Learn about Seed Starting and Reading Seed Labels The UCCE Tuolumne County Master Gardeners will be holding our March Open Garden Day at the Demonstration Garden on Saturday, March 7, from 10AM – 1PM. The Demonstration Garden is located at 251 S. Barretta Street in Sonora, (Cassina High School…
Backyard Composting WorkshopsWith support from City of Santa Maria, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and County of Santa BarbaraDate & Time: March 28, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm or 1 pm to 3 pmThere are 2 sessions to choose from. When registering you choose which session you would like to…
Dirt is made up of four things: minerals (from decomposed rock), air, water, and organic matter. The organic material originates from living organisms (or stuff that was once alive), and a single teaspoon of soil may contain as many as 4 billion bacteria, 1 million fungi, 20 million actinomycetes and 300,000…
Get your Lake Tahoe Garden Ready for Growing Season! Join the UC Master Gardeners for a spring gardening course designed specifically for the Lake Tahoe Basin! This educational class welcomes local gardeners and homeowners eager to get their yards ready for the growing season. We’ll cover essential…
Good soil is the starting place for a great garden. Learn what comprises healthy soil, about soil texture and structure, and how to protect, improve, and nurture soil. In this presentation, UC Master Gardeners of Orange County will discuss soil testing, aeration, and drainage. You’ll also learn…
Just how does compost happen? Nature, as it recycles by decomposition, provides us with garden gold. UC Master Gardeners of Orange County will teach you why it is important to recycle organic waste, about the right balance of greens, browns, air and water, and how soon you can expect your first batch! …
Join Master Gardeners for a Free Online Garden Talk onVERMICOMPOSTINGTopics covered will be: What is it?, How does it work?,Benefits to the soil, Making a worm bin, and Making worm tea.
By Trish Grenfell, Master Gardeners of Placer County Q: I know that azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas prefer an acid soil, but what does that mean? A: While most of the plants that we grow in a garden prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil (pH range 6.0 -7.0), there are some…
