Classes and workshops
Our UC Master Gardener volunteers provide free workshops and classes throughout the year.
Farmers' markets
Knowledgeable and enthusiastic Master Gardeners staff education tables at Farmers' Markets in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Have a plant, pest or general gardening question? Visit us at a market to get answers to your questions, learn more about our program and resources, or just to chat about plants.
Plant clinics
Plant clinics provide a time and place for gardeners to bring their gardening questions to us in person. Bring a plant sample sealed in a plastic bag; or photos; or just questions to our table. We have books, sometimes the internet, and experience to draw on. We have informational handouts to share. We love to help you find answers.
San Mateo Arboretum plant clinic
The Plant Clinic is held at the San Mateo Arboretum on one Sunday each month, 12 pm to 3 pm, from March through November with the Arboretum plant sale, maximizing Master Gardener outreach to local gardeners.
People visit our table, located in a pleasant spot beneath a rose arbor, with gardening problems, questions, and plant and bug identification. We often draw people to our table with friendly comments and questions, and this often leads to productive gardening discussions. We refer to and show ANR and other science-based publications. We provide Pest Notes as appropriate. We also provide Helpline contact information – and refer any questions we cannot answer to the Helpline.
School garden workshops
The UC Master Gardeners School Garden Committee supports the teachers and volunteers who are leading school garden programs throughout San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Our goal is to help school garden leaders by enhancing and developing their programs to increase the benefits for students through garden-based lessons and curriculum activities. We offer the following programs:
Workshops
We offer workshops for those considering new school gardens, as well as those with existing gardens. We teach about plant selection, garden care, curriculum links with the garden and sustainability for your program.
Site visit
We can come to your garden site to offer specific advice about plants, pest control, weeds, etc.
Site-specific training
We can come to your school site and provide Professional Development for teachers and/or training for parents on ways to use your garden to enhance the curriculum.
For more information, please email smsfmg.schoolgarden@gmail.com and a School Garden Committee member will respond.