By UC Master Gardeners of Butte County.
A new season of Master Gardener Workshops is about to start! The series begins Friday, September 11, 2026 with a session on drip irrigation and concludes in mid-November with a fun crafty workshop on creating a seasonal planter-in-a-pumpkin filled with succulents. In all, this Fall 2026 Series totals 14 workshops, including four all-new topics. There is something here for every type of gardener and every size of home garden, whether you maintain a balcony of plants in containers, are just getting started with home gardening, or produce fruit and vegetables on a large plot for your family, friends, and neighbors. For a list of all the workshops and to register for any of the first three workshops described below, visit our workshop webpage. Nearly all workshops are free, but registration is required.
Two of our new workshops will focus on growing and arranging flowers – a way to bring the outdoors inside, and brighten not just your garden, but your home. Another new workshop tackles all things herbal: planting, growing, harvesting, and using herbs in multiple ways. Our final workshop of the year also introduces a new topic – creating a fall harvest-themed centerpiece by planting succulents inside a hollowed-out pumpkin.
Of course, we also offer many workshops on topics that have proved popular over the years. If you are installing a new garden or garden area, our workshops on drip irrigation, improving your soil, and composting may be just what you need to help you get started. And if you want to grow healthy and nutritious food, our workshop on vegetable gardening will cover important basics just as site selection, best vegetable varieties to grow in our area, planting, and maintenance.
If you are adding plants to a new or existing garden area, our workshop on attracting native bees and other pollinators might be very useful. And wouldn’t you like to create more (free!) plants from the ones you are already growing? Our workshop on plant propagation will teach you how to make new plants from cuttings and divisions.
Are you interested in native plants, and want to dig a little deeper into the subject? Because natives are adapted to the local climate and soil, they need less water and fewer soil amendments, and they provide food and habitat for local insects and wildlife. Learn how native plants have adapted over time to our hot, dry summers here in Butte County in our workshop How Does Your Garden Grow? Adaptations of California Native Plants.
Does your landscape include fruit trees? Learn when and how to prune various fruit trees (and also grapevines and berries!), and how to prepare fruit trees for winter dormancy, in our workshop on the care and pruning of fruit trees.
Of course, gardening successfully does not come without its challenges. We tackle the problem of invertebrate pests in our workshop on dealing with gophers, moles, and voles. And in our workshop on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) you’ll learn how to identify insect pests and control them without using harmful insecticides.
Most of the workshops will be held in the outdoor classroom in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden or inside Pat’s Barn; both are located at Patrick Ranch, 10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham. Other locations include the Bradley 2 classroom at 1400 W. 3rd St., Chico; and the Terry Ashe Recreation Center, 6626 Skyway, Paradise.
In addition, we are offering Seasonal Garden Talks four times a year at our Chapman Park Teaching Garden at the Dorothy F. Johnson Center (775 E 16th Street, Chico). The next Fall Garden Talk will take place Saturday, September 12, from 9-10 am. Come and learn how to Grow a Salad in a Garden Bed! And return in October on Saturday the 17th to learn all about Growing Garlic. The Seasonal Garden Talks are free. No registration is required—just show up!
The following list covers the first half of our Fall Workshop Series: from September through mid-October. These workshops are free, but they do require advance registration. For full workshop descriptions and to register, visit our workshop webpage.
SEPTEMBER
Irrigation (Friday, 9/11). Learn how to deal with these pests, including how to set gopher traps.
Composting is Good for Your Garden and the Environment (Saturday 9/19). Using compost helps grow healthier plants, reduces landfill, saves water, and improves the soil This workshop will teach you how to compost at home and how to get started.
Vegetable Gardening (Saturday 9/26). From site selection and preparation through irrigation, garden planning, planting, and maintenance, this workshop sets you up for success in growing your own delicious vegetables.
OCTOBER
Propagation (Friday, 10/2). Learn the best time to propagate woody perennials and divide plants; how to select and make cuttings; the proper techniques for dividing plants; the best planting mediums to use; and how to plant cutting and divided plants.
Native Bees and Other Pollinators in Your Garden (Saturday, 10/3). Join a local expert from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to learn about pollinating species, and ways to attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.
Gophers, Moles, and Voles (Friday, 10/9). Learn how to deal with these pests, including how to set gopher traps.
Care and Pruning of Fruit Trees (Saturday, 10/10). Learn about the different fruit tree bearing habits and how they guide pruning decisions to ensure regular bearing and good fruit size. Also: how to prune an overly-large fruit tree down to a manageable size, prune grape and berry vines, and prepare fruit trees for winter dormancy.
UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) system. To learn more about us and our upcoming events, and for help with gardening in our area visit the UC Master Gardener website. If you have a gardening question or problem, email the Hotline at mgbutte@ucanr.edu or leave a phone message on our Hotline at 530-552-5812. To speak to a Master Gardener about a gardening issue, or to drop by the MG office during Hotline hours, see the most current information on our Ask Us section of our website.