A Master Gardener shares gardening and pest management information with the public.

In an earlier post, we wrote about ways we've connected with you. Now we want to look forward and tell you about an exciting project we need your help with:  

The UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden and Outdoor Classroom!

What would this look like? We envision an accessible garden everyone can visit and explore.

Garden Days 
Each week, volunteers will be available for a few hours so you can stop and ask your gardening questions. Once a month, they will be around on the weekend.

Our demonstration garden will also be a place to hold fun events like tomato tastings, kids' gardening activities, health fairs, and Stanislaus County sponsored events.

A Master Gardener explains composting to a local resident.

Demonstration Gardens
Imagine meandering paths through colorful and inviting gardens that showcase plants and gardening methods, including a water-wise garden, California native pollinator garden, herb and vegetable garden, fruit orchard, and children's sensory garden.

Outdoor Classroom Amphitheater
Sign up for a class and sit outside and listen to a Master Gardener led class on how to install drip irrigation, prune fruit trees, or compost. Then, “get your hands dirty,” by practicing installing drip irrigation, pruning a fruit tree, or layering a compost pile.

How Can You Help?
Some generous local sponsors have offered to help with in-kind donations of irrigation materials. We need your help in raising funds to help with lawn removal, plants, path material, mulch, and other items. If you know an Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Troupe that needs a project, we are happy to speak to them about benches and gardening art as well!

Donate Now
Please make your gift for #BigDigDay, on June 5, 2020 now to help us get our garden started!  

Master Gardeners plant in the demonstration garden.

Using the drop-down menu, select “Stanislaus County.” Your donation will go directly to help us fund the garden. Stay tuned for future posts telling you when we break ground and start work!

If you know of an organization willing to donate materials, that's great too! Please contact us at ucmgstanislaus@ucanr.edu  

Photos in this post to help us imagine our new garden are from our sister program, the UCCE San Joaquin Master Gardener Program, located in Stockton.

Native Pollinator Gardening in Your Backyard was recorded on May 26, 2020. Our guest speaker, Chris Howington from Natural Resources Conservation Service, quizzed attendees on their knowledge of pollinators, described the three types of pollinator nesting, and gave examples of what types of plants pollinators prefer.

Chris also spoke about the insect apocalypse, and what is causing dwindling numbers of bees, butterflies, and many other species. He details how you can help by creating an area in your landscape for pollinators!

Here are some resources to go along with the presentation:

• Find plants that work best in your area to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators from the Xerces Society 
• How to build a “bee house,” from Michigan State University
• Read the latest research on native bees from UC Berkeley Urban Bee Lab 

Master Gardeners at the Modesto Farmers Market.

The UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardener Program started in late 2018, and since then we've taught in-person and now online classes on topics like water conservation, growing herbs or vegetables, pollinator gardening, composting with worms, and many others. We hope these classes inspired you to save water, use plants to attract pollinators, and grow healthy food.

As of July, our program has taught 55 people how to become volunteers! Perhaps you've met one of our Master Gardeners at a local farmers market, the Stanislaus County fair, or other outdoor event. You may have spoken to them when you called, emailed, or visited our help desk with a question. We strive to answer your gardening and pest management questions with University research-based solutions in a timely and friendly manner.

Master Gardener helping a client.

Has our program helped you solve a pest management problem, provided you with information on helpful topics through classes, or answered your gardening questions through email or a phone conversation?

If so, we hope you will consider donating on Big Dig Day on June 5, 2020. Your donation goes directly to support our local program.

To donate, visit https://ucanr.blackbaud-sites.com/MasterGardener and scroll to the bottom of the page to select the Stanislaus County Master Gardener Program. You can donate anytime. The campaign ends June 5 at midnight. 

We thank you in advance for your support!

Bumble bee. (Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Master Gardeners would like to invite you to join us for a fun evening of learning about native pollinators and how you can attract them to your garden. This presentation will focus on using California native plants and pollinator friendly practices to create habitat for these fascinating species. 

When: May 26, 2020 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom
How: Register at: http://ucanr.edu/virtualpollinators/2020
Speaker: Chris Howington, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)

Watch the Live Broadcast

To watch the presentation live, make sure Zoom is installed on your device. You'll receive the Zoom link just a few days before the presentation in an email, as well as slides for you to print so you can follow along. Please do not share this link with others. 

If you don't have Zoom or want to watch the presentation at another time, it will be available on our YouTube Channel at a later date. http://ucanr.edu/uccemgyoutube