UC Master Gardeners partner with a variety of community organizations to spread practical, science-based gardening information.
Open to the public
Libraries, community centers, and other venues
UC Master Gardeners present free talks and low-cost courses on a variety of seasonal gardening topics at many different venues throughout the year. See our Events and Classes calendar for a list of upcoming events.
Growing Natives Garden Tour
This annual tour of private and public gardens featuring native plants is free and self-guided. It is organized by the California Native Plant Society (Santa Clara Valley Chapter) with the assistance of UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. See Growing Natives Garden Tour to learn more.
For children and schools
School Garden Advice Team
UC Master Gardeners offer advice and assistance to educators and parent volunteers who want to learn how to start, maintain, and utilize a school garden. See School Garden Advice Team for more information.
Mornings at Martial Cottle Park
This field trip opportunity is offered to local kindergarten through third grade classes. UC Master Gardeners have designed engaging curricula that support California life science standards and nutrition program objectives with hands-on activities. See details at Mornings at Martial Cottle Park.
Generation Connection
This field trip opportunity is offered to second grade classes at the Santa Clara Adult Education garden classroom. Children have a chance to explore the garden under the supervision of UC Master Gardeners and community volunteers. See details at Generation Connection.
With specific organizations
Green Gardener Program
My Watershed Watch partners with UC Master Gardeners to present a course for landscape professionals on sustainable landscape maintenance practices. See Santa Clara Valley Green Gardener Program for more information
Elmwood Women’s Project
At the Elmwood Correctional Facility, UC Master Gardeners teach a 10-week vegetable gardening class to women inmates, then work alongside them in the garden to reinforce good gardening practices.
Palo Alto VA Hospital
At the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, UC Master Gardeners provide gardening education to outpatient veterans, their therapists, and interested VA staff.
Corporate Outreach
This program provides horticultural education at corporate garden sites in Silicon Valley. UC Master Gardeners give talks, advise on pest management, and provide oversight of seasonal plantings. The program is currently active at Adobe Systems in San Jose, with occasional projects at HP in Palo Alto and Uplift Family Services in Los Gatos. Contact our program coordinator to inquire about setting up a garden program at your company.
Friends of Master Gardeners
Friends of Master Gardeners is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that fundraises to support the many varied activities that the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County provide, including the programs listed above. We welcome your support through our plant sales (see our Event Calendar) and by direct donations.