UC Master Gardeners of Placer County

Workshops and Special Events

Visit our booth at Farmers' Markets:

Auburn – Across from courthouse, May through October, 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Roseville – Fountains, Whole Foods parking lot, May through October, every Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln – Fowler Ranch, March through October, 1st and 3rd Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln – Sun City, June through October, 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

 

Workshops and Special Events:


Fire-Smart Expo & Garden, Loomis

October 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

South Placer Fire Protection District Station 18 Parking Lot
5840 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis, CA 95650

FREE event. No registration required.

Celebrate the New Fire-Smart Garden for Placer County

See how thoughtful plant selection, spacing, irrigation, and maintenance work together to reduce fire pathways while supporting a healthy, climate-ready landscape.

Learn About:
  • Creating defensible space through everyday yard decisions
  • Maintaining a clear 0-5 foot zone around structures
  • Keeping the 5-30 foot area lean and clean
  • Reducing horizontal and vertical fire pathways
  • Proper pruning and mulch placement
  • Fire-smart, water-wise plants suited to local conditions

Learn more: southplacerfire.org

Fire-smart landscaping resources:ucanr.edu/county/placer/nevada-counties/fire-smart-landscaping

Hosted by:

UC Master Gardeners of Placer County | South Placer Fire Protection District | Placer County Water Agency | UC Cooperative Extension | Placer County Fire Safe Councils | Green Acres Nursery & Supply | Anderson’s Sierra Pipe


Demonstration Garden Fall Open House, Loomis

October 10, 2026, 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Loomis Library, 6050 Library Drive, Loomis, CA 95659

Join us for a free, family-friendly Open House at our Demonstration Garden living classroom! Stroll through themed landscapes—from water-wise natives and vibrant pollinator habitats to lush edible gardens. Docents will be available to answer any questions and show visitors around our garden.
 
We are welcoming five local artists to the Garden to create “garden or nature themed” art in the garden using various mediums.  Finished artwork will be available for purchase, with proceeds going directly to the artist. Bring the whole family—our kid’s zone offers fun activities and prizes for everyone.
 
At 10:30 a.m. join our expert presentation & workshop on cover crops.  This workshop will introduce you to the world of cover cropping - what a cover crop is and how to utilize them in your garden. Learn the general concepts behind cover crops but also specific types to use to nurture our area's soils.
 
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, it’s the perfect day to explore, learn, and grow.

Cover Crops, Loomis

October 10, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Loomis Library, 6050 Library Drive, Loomis, CA 95659

This workshop will introduce you to the world of cover cropping - what a cover crop is and how to utilize in your garden. Learn the general concepts behind cover crops but also specific types to use to nurture our area soils.


From the Ground Up: Native Plants for Maximum Habitat Value

October 17, 2026, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Loomis Demonstration Garden, 6050 Library Drive, Loomis, CA 95659

No garden is too small to include native plant habitat champions. Come hear what plants make the biggest difference and how you can incorporate them beautifully even in small yards.

Speakers will begin at 10:00 a.m. Garden tour will end at approximately Noon.


Firescaping: Get Ahead and Slow the Spread!  Lincoln Library

October 17, 2026, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Lincoln Library, 485 Twelve Bridges, Lincoln, CA 95648

Learn about defensible space landscaping, Firescaping: 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 Placer 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.  This Master Gardener-hosted event is presented to you by UC Master Gardener of Placer County Kevin Marini.


Awesome Alliums, Loomis

October 24, 2026, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Loomis Demonstration Garden, 6050 Library Drive, Loomis, CA 95659

Awesome Alliums is a themed event in the Demonstration Garden that features our own UC Master Gardeners in lead roles: delivering table talks on the planting and care of alliums, demonstrating curing/braiding garlic, explaining how to handle garlic to promote benefits and supervising “make and take” activities.  A Master Food Preserver will open the event with a presentation on pickling garlic and making yummy onion jam.  A “snap a selfie” area for the public will be available.  We hope to include an organic farmer selling alliums and other fall produce. A few activities are kid friendly.


Extraordinary Japanese Maples, Loomis

November 14, 2026, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Loomis Library, 6050 Library Drive, Loomis, CA 95659

Learn about the large variety of Japanese maples and their cultivars and similar small maples such as the Fullmoon maples from Japan. This presentation will cover how to select the right cultivar/variety, the specific care needed at the time of planting, and what maintenance is required to keep them thriving and healthy. Learn how to make your trees Extraordinary.


Composting and Mulch, UEC

November 14, 2026, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
UEC, 1501 Pleasant Grove Boulevard, Roseville, CA 95747

Who knew your kitchen scraps and yard debris could improve your soil? It's called composting, which not only improves your soil but helps you save water. Learn about how to set up a system that works for you. Also, learn about mulch and its many benefits, including weed suppression and reduced water use.

Free but reservations required: Workshops - City of Roseville