Workshops and Special Events:
Totally Tomatoes
March 14, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City
This class is dedicated to growing tomatoes in your Nevada Couty Garden. We will cover the different types of tomatoes available, seed selection and seed starting, preparation of garden beds, watering, pruning, pest control and which varieties grow well here.
Straw Bale Gardening
March 21, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City
Straw bale gardening is an easy, low-maintenance, and mobile method for growing vegetables in temporary, nutrient-rich, raised beds, ideal for poor soil or limited space.
Biochar
March 28, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City
You may have heard of biochar. Now discover what makes it more than simply charcoal or partially burned wood. Learn many ways it can benefit your home garden, and discover how to apply it. Learn how you can you make it yourself. And understand why biochar is especially important in Nevada County.
Sierra Foothill Native Plant Series #1 - Native Plants: The Big Picture
April 4, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Grass Valley Vets Hall, 255 S. Auburn Street, Grass Valley
As an introduction to concepts, we’ll cover throughout our native-plant series, learn how to achieve both beauty and benefits through gardening with native plants. We’ll share insights specific to native plants on landscape design, plant selection, and meeting your goal as a gardener. Throughout, we’ll focus on locally native plants and their advantages to you and to the ecosystem.
Firescaping
April 11, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City
Get ahead and slow the spread!! There is a way to organize your landscape and maintain your garden that will help create defensible space around your home. We’ll discuss what the research is telling us about the best practices we can implement in our landscapes to slow the spread of fire while still being able to enjoy a beautiful garden. With so many Nevada County residents living amongst the wildland interface, the time is now to make a plan for your house and yard to create a firewise landscape.
More Plants Please - Propagation From Cuttings
May 2, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Demonstration Garden, 1036 W. Main Street, Grass Valley (NID Grounds)
In this hands on class, participants will learn some easy methods for producing more plants inexpensively from cuttings. Take home a few plant cuttings to monitor from home. All materials will be provided.
Sierra Foothill Native Plant Series #2 - CALSCAPE: Your Guide to Native Plants
May 16, 2026, 10:00am - noon
Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City - Tech Room - Pre-registration Required
As an introduction to concepts, we’ll cover throughout our native-plant series, learn how to achieve both beauty and benefits through gardening with native plants. We’ll share insights specific to native plants on landscape design, plant selection, and meeting your goal as a gardener. Throughout, we’ll focus on locally native plants and their advantages to you and to the ecosystem.
Limited to 25 participants, so register in advance at https://bit.ly/3ZPccba.