Master Gardener/Composter Hotline Have a gardening or composting question? Call the Master Gardener/Composter Hotline at (530) 273-0919. Nevada County Master Gardeners are available for telephone and on-site office inquiries, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9:00 am – Noon. The Master Gardener office is located within the Veterans Memorial Building at 255 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley. Residents are encouraged to bring samples for general plant identification and diagnosis of pests and diseases. Radio Show Nevada County Master Gardeners have a live two-hour radio show, “Master Gardeners and Friends,” which airs each Saturday on KNCO Radio in Grass Valley. The program provides information on a variety of gardening topics. The show is typically hosted by two Nevada County Master Gardeners who take calls from listeners. The host gardeners differ each week, giving the opportunity for all interested master gardeners to participate. Tune in to KNCO 83 at 10:00 am this Saturday and give the gardeners a call, (530) 477-5626.  Demonstration Garden The Nevada County Master Gardeners broke ground on a 1.25 acre garden in 1991, with land and water donated by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID). The Demonstration Garden is located east of NID’s main office building at 1036 West Main Street in Grass Valley. The garden is open for public viewing during business hours. Gates close and lock promptly at 5:00 pm on weekdays and 3:00 pm on weekends. Keeping in mind our wonderful Mediterranean climate with no summer rain, the Garden is in transition from an Herb Garden to a Resource Efficient Landscape, with water being our most important resource. Note the Firewise hillside using perennials that have the "least watering" needs. As you stroll through the quaint Wooden Arch, you are now in the "little water" use area of scatterings of lavender, hyssop, barberry and butterflybush. Once these plants are established, they require a little summer water. Plans are underway to add lovely grasses and fill in with plantings that have colorful year-round interest. The Thyme Area shows the differences in this useful plant family. A favorite with school children is the Touch and Scent Area, surrounded by the Butterflies, Bees, and Birds section. As you draw closer to the Shade Structure centrally located in the garden, this area depicts "moderate water" use. The bog bed, birdbath area will be surrounded with colorful annuals as well as perennials as you are seated on the iron bench. Rest a while under the shade structure where roses and grapes are trained up the sides. Viewing all around, this spot is in lieu of a "house" where the most water is utilized. Note our new compost area adjacent to the tool shed. The deer-proof fenced garden contains many raised beds where you’ll find containerized vegetables and flowers that grow well in the foothills. Through the use of signage at each bed, Master Gardeners keep visitors informed of the watering and fertilizing schedules as well as the pests and challenges they encounter. Being close to the "house", more water is needed to insure the health of these plants. The Orchard is planted with standard sized apples, pears, Asian pears, peaches, semi-dwarf cherries, dwarf peach, and an almond. Four trees were planted by the Cub Scouts to demonstrate backyard orchard culture. The trees are Santa Rosa Plum and are all of the same rootstock. The latest UCCE pruning techniques for the home gardener are implemented. The Oak Habitat is our newest addition to the landscape. Transitioning from the fenced area, we hope to show "wildlife interfacing" that many foothill property owners enjoy. Our prized oaks of Western Nevada County need no summer water to maintain their stately appearance. Many beautiful perennials can be added in their proximity and still have healthy oaks. Please stop by to visit the Demonstration Garden. If your group is interested in a guided tour call the UCCE office at (530) 273-4563. Educational Exhibits and Information Tables Master Gardeners maintain educational exhibits at county fairs and special events. Daily demonstrations are conducted by the Master Gardeners at these events on a variety of gardening topics. In addition, Nevada Master Gardeners have an informational table at the Grass Valley and Penn Valley Growers' Markets. The Grass Valley Market is on Saturdays from 9:00 AM - Noon, Gate 4, Nevada County Fairgrounds. The Penn Valley Market is on Thursdays from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at Gateway Park. Daffodil Project Nevada County Master Gardener’s Daffodil Project began in 1989 with the goal to beautify the Golden Center Freeway between Sacramento Street in Nevada City & McKnight Way in Grass Valley. The project was supported by donations from the community. In 1999 the project expanded to include an educational outreach workshop at the Madelyn Helling Library. The educational and community service aspect of the Daffodil Project continues; approximately 2000-3000 bulbs are planted yearly by Master Gardener Volunteers and Washington Ridge CYA Crew. Spring/Fall Fests Master Gardeners conduct Spring and Fall Fests where topical demonstrations are conducted and lovely and unique plants propagated by the gardeners are offered for sale. The Fests are held at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden, 1036 West Main Street in Grass Valley. Mark your calendars for the Fall Fest, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. - Noon-—come early and take advantage of the wonderful prices and selection, and informative sessions.  Publications Nevada County Master Gardeners have produced the Western Nevada County Gardening Guide, a comprehensive publication covering such topics as: Soils, Irrigation, Climate and Growing Seasons, Vegetables, Perennials and Flowering Shrubs, Ornamental and Shade Trees, Home Orcharding, Integrated Pest Management, Foothill Garden Pests and Firewise Landscaping. To purchase the Guide, contact the Master Gardeners at (530) 273-4563.
Master Gardeners also produce the quarterly newsletter, The Curious Gardener a publication available at no cost to Placer and Nevada County residents. Other Activities and Projects Master Gardeners outreach with a number of organizations and agencies. Included is the educational outreach at the Soroptimists' Sierra Foothills Garden Tour and participation on the FireSafe Council.