- Author: Sherry Richards
Recently, on very warm day, three of my Master Gardener (MG) friends and I drove to Grass Valley to see the UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County Demonstration Garden. I have many fond memories of working in this garden as I began my Mg training and volunteer work in 2005 in Nevada County. I moved toSolano County a few years ago to be near family. We were greeted byMGs working in the garden - a frequent occurrence when you visit our demo gardens! It was good to seeMgs I trained and volunteered with in 2005. I remember going with MG friends to see vernal pools, spring wildflowers in the Sierras and spent many happy hours working with them in this garden.
In 1991 Nevada County, Mgs started this garden on 1.5 acres of land provided by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID.) Water and electricity are available in the garden. Mg volunteers designed, created, and continue to maintain the garden. If you stand in the middle of the garden, by the pavilion, the garden design was to show you it is helpful to keep plants requiring more maintenance and water close in by your house/water source (oh those long hoses!) and plants with little maintenance or low/no water needs in outlying areas.
A demonstration garden assembles and organizes plants so people can access various areas and study them. As the brochure for this demonstration garden says their mission “is to demonstrate research-based, sustainable gardening practices for home gardeners…” Each MG demonstration garden uses plants and soil best suited the local climate following gardening practices using research-based information provided by the University of California.
As an acquaintance recently said to me, frustrated with occasional gardening failures, “sometimes it's like my plants get mad at me.” Gosh do I know that feeling! Mg demo learning gardens, classes, online information can be so helpful to home gardeners. I certainly make mistakes in my garden but sometimes it is the plant's fault, and I am sticking to that story wrong as I know I must be!
A sign greets and guides you around this garden. The Nevada County demo garden is a Monarch Butterfly waystation! Fabulous! There are benches around the garden where you can stop, sit, and enjoy the garden with pollinators flying about!
The garden areas include : Backyard Fruit Growing - examples of ladder-free fruit tree pruning, picking and grafting examples; Native Grass Meadow; Cottage Garden - UC Davis Arboretum All Stars plants, plants for year-round color, hydrozones and lawn alternatives; The ”Pavilion” - for workshops, plant sales, events; Foothill Mediterranean Garden – landscaping for hot dry climates, deer-resistant plants, plants attracting beneficial insects for pollination and predatory insects who eat pests like aphids and tomato hornworms; Compost Production; Oak Tree Habitat with California natives; Raised Bed enclosure for growing vegetables, herbs and includes a Children's Garden and the hoop house. There is a wonderful example of espalier of a pomegranate tree along one pavilion edge – next to the raised bed enclosure area.We loved the magnificent new hoop house used to grow plants for MG plant sales. Mgs use plant sale monies for community activities, garden plant purchases, soil, and maintenance. I remember joining other Mgs to spread lots (lots!) of decomposed granite deliveries on this demo garden's pathways. The pathways remain pristine for guests!
There is so much to see and learn in an Mg demo garden so take a trip and visit one if you can! Nevada County is a beautiful area with lovely people. Fall is a perfect time to visit with beautiful Fall color or visit just anytime! Maybe attend one of the Mg classes under the pavilion while you are there. For garden and class information: http://ncmg.ucanr.org
Our garden traveling group will be on the road to see more Mg demo gardens soon - there are many! Of course, trips include visits to nearby plant nurseries, lunch, and local sights! A gardener's delightful day!
Thank you again UCCE MG-Nevada Co. for your hospitality, a beautifully maintained garden to enjoy and for all the wonderful memories I have of all of you!