Community Education Classes
Welcome to the community education gardening classes
Gardening Questions? Send an email to mgfresno@ucanr.edu We are working remotely- no phone or office hours at this time. Thank you.
Thank you for your support of the Master Gardener Program!
July 2024 Classes
Register here for May - July classes
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Kitchen Gardens
Call it a kitchen garden. Call it a potager. Call it a cottage garden with benefits. Come learn how to design, create and maintain the garden that supplies your kitchen with vegetables, fruits, herbs….and even edible flowers!
Saturday, July 13, 2024 10 -11:30 AM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday, July 20,2024
Growing Cool Season Vegetables
Do you know that cool season vegetables have a higher food value than warm season ones?Join MG Gwen and she will show you how to expand your gardening repertoire to include these crops.(Please download handout and bring to class.)
Saturday, July 20,2024 10 AM -12 PM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Fragrant Gardens
Some of my favorite times in the garden are when I’m smelling the hyacinths, stocks, wallflowers, petunias, lavenders, that bloom in the spring, summer and fall in the valley. Join MG Alex - she will discuss the variety of fragrant flowers available. ou may decide to add a few to your garden.
Saturday, July 27 10 AM-11:30 AM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
September 2024 Classes
Registration for Fall classes will be available in mid-August
Saturday Sept. 7, 2024
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
MG CHARLIE
MG Charlie will present colorful and creative ideas for balconies, window boxes and small outdoor gardens. Gain insight in the nine common microclimates in your garden and how to maximize your small space garden. He maintains a small space garden at the Garden of the Sun demonstration garden.
Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024
10 AM-11:30 AM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday Sept. 14, 2024
OLIVE CURING FOR FUN
MG MARIE and MFP
Learn to cure delicious olives in accordance to the Mediterranean tradition. MG Marie and advice from Master Food Preservers will explore three different curing methods, utilizing both salt curing and lye curing processes. Appropriate for all skill levels.
Saturday, Sept 14
9:30-11 AM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave.
Fresno, CA 93703
October classes
GROUNDCOVERS AND HARDSCAPES
10-11:30 AM
944 E Perrin Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024
MAGIC OF MULCH 
Mulching our gardens in the Central Valley is one of the best things you can do to have a healthy and beautiful garden. Mulch retains moisture, controls weeds and most importantly activates the natural soil biology that feeds our plants. Learn about new research that supports the use of mulch in our gardens and how you can use simple yard waste to economically mulch your garden.
Saturday, Oct 12 10-11:30 AM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024
FROM MOUNTAINS TO DIRT: A TASTE OF FRESNO SOILS 
This class is about the alluvial history of our area and how to turn it into great garden soil. It will start with the local geology of our area, the basic soil types, how to amend local soils to make a garden loam, and finally current ideas on minimal tillage with mulching. This soil is central to a healthy garden. You will also learn how to locate your house with its soil type on the interactive map on the internet.
Saturday, Oct 19 10-11:30 AM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
November/ December 2024 classes
Registration for Fall classes will be available in mid-August
Saturday, NOV 16, 2024
UNDER THE SPELL OF SUCCULENTS 
Succulents are one of the most popular plants to grow. MG Roz will teach you how to identify, propagate, and grow them successfully. She will show you some amazing holiday crafts you can do with your succulents.
Saturday, NOV 16 10 AM -11:30 AM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave.
Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday, Dec 7, 2024
WREATHS AND SWAGS
Come join our fourth decade of holiday wreath making! MG Robbie will supply all materials for this popular class, where you will learn the simple techniques needed to make a unique wreath or swag using freshly gathered materials. Wear warm clothing and bring a hand clipper. Everyone will leave with one completed project. Preregistration is required; sorry, we will not be able to accommodate walk-ins. Cost $60 (Fees non-refundable)
Saturday, Dec 7 9:30 AM—12:30 PM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave.
Fresno, CA 93703
Saturday, Dec 14, 2024
ORCHARD PRUNING BASICS 
Join this knowledgeable group of MGs for a hands-on demonstration through the Garden of the Sun. They will show you how to prune, which tool to use and why. Maybe a tree in the orchard, a vine in the vineyard, a rose in the rose bed, shaping a shrub – you get the picture.
Saturday, Dec 14 10—11:30 AM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave.
Fresno, CA 93703
Garden workshops follow up survey
*Your contact information is used to distribute a link to a follow-up survey and relevant program information. The short survey provides us the tools we need to grow and improve the quality of our program. We do not sell or share your contact info with anyone else. If you do not wish to receive the survey please email us at mgevaluation@ucanr.edu.
Thank you for your support of the Community Education Classes in 2023.
June 2024 Classes
Register here for May - July classes
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Becoming a Master Gardener
Are you interested in becoming a Fresno County Master Gardener? Attend this class to learn about our program from current Master Gardeners, and take the next step towards this rewarding and exciting goal. Your questions will be addressed and you could be joining a diverse group sharing home horticulture within the community.
Saturday, June 1, 2024 9:30-11:00 AM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave. Fresno, CA 93703
Saturday, June 8, 2024 CANCELED
Plumeria
Do you know Plumerias, aka Frangipani, are the flowers used to make leis in Hawaii? Plumerias flower from early summer to fall. They are very easy to grow and propagate. Come to the Garden of the Sun and MG Josue will teach you all about them.
Saturday, June 8, 2024 9:30-11:00 AM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave. Fresno, CA 93703
Saturday, June 22, 2024 (note this date changed from 6/15)
Composting/Vermiculture 
Do you serve fresh fruits and vegetables? Do you maintain a garden or an ornamental landscape? Do you want great soil to grow food and flowers? Compost is a soil amendment that converts organic discards back to earth. Learn to make quality compost with little effort, time, or resources. UCCE Madera Master Composter Randy shares proven techniques. Learn and become a master too!
Saturday, June 22, 9:30-11:00 AM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave. Fresno, CA 93703
May 2024 Classes
Register here for May - July classes
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Becoming a Master Gardener
Are you interested in becoming a Fresno County Master Gardener? Attend this class to learn about our program from current Master Gardeners, and take the next step towards this rewarding and exciting goal. Your questions will be addressed and you could be joining a diverse group sharing home horticulture within the community.
Saturday, May 4, 2024 10 AM-12 PM
WOODWARD PARK LIBRARY
944 E Perrin Ave. Fresno, CA 93720
Saturday, May 18, 2024
Irrigation for the Home Garden
Improve plant health and save water! Learn how easy it can be to convert your sprinklers to a water wise drip system or start from scratch in a new landscape. MGs John and Bill will show you how! (Please download handouts and bring to class.)
Saturday, May 18 9:30-11 AM
GARDEN OF THE SUN
1750 N Winery Ave. Fresno, CA 93703
April 2024 Classes
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Education Day at Garden of the Sun
We will have Gardener's Companions ,Spring Garden Tour tickets, tool sharpening and plants for sale. (Cash or check only)
Saturday April 6, 2024
9am- 1pm
Garden of the Sun
1750 N Winery Ave
Fresno, CA 93703
No registration necessary
Saturday, April 13, 2024
English Cottage Gardens with Mediterranean Flair
This class will discuss elements of the English cottage style in garden design. We will review some ideas of how to achieve that look here in the San Joaquin Valley using Mediterranean and drought tolerant plant materials.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
in person Woodward Park Library
944 E Perrin Ave
Fresno, CA 93720
559-600-3135
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Japanese Maples 
A Japanese Maple will make a wonderful addition to your home landscape. Learn how to select the appropriate Japanese Maples for your needs and how to care for these beautiful trees.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM
Garden of the Sun
1750 N. Winery
Fresno, CA 93703
March 2024 classes
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Making the Most of Warm Season Vegetables
Come and learn the basics of warm season vegetable gardening to ensure a bumper crop in your yard. MG Gwen will cover such topics as: designing your garden, growing from plants and seeds, how to improve your garden soil, irrigation, weeds, encouraging the good bugs, and preventing garden problems. Please download the chart listed below and bring it along with your questions to the class.
Saturday, March 16, 2024 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
in person-Woodward Park Library
944 E Perrin Ave
Fresno, CA 93720
559-600-3135
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Growing Your Backyard Tomatoes
Tomatoes! Tomatoes! Tomatoes! Come to the Garden of the Sun and learn
everything you need to know about growing tomatoes from MGs Marie and
guest MG from Merced, Tom.
Saturday, March 30, 2024 10:00-11:30 AM
Garden of the Sun
1750 N. Winery
Fresno, CA 93703
January 2024 Classes
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.
Saturday, January 6, 2024
MG Josue
Have you ever wanted to grow an exact copy of a special plant or tree? Come learn a very basic grafting technique that will get you started on a new adventure in plant propagation. Grafting is often done with fruit trees, but can be a useful way to propagate all sorts of ornamental plants as well, including roses, plumeria, magnolias, shade trees and more.
Saturday, January 6, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM
Garden of the Sun
1750 N. Winery
Fresno, CA 93703
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here
Saturday, January 20, 2024
MG Jill
Espalier is a centuries-old horticultural practice training trees or shrubs in a relatively flat form typically against a wall or trained to a trellis. Many fruit trees can be espaliered to conserve space and maximize fruit production. Discover the best fruit varieties suitable for espalier, how to start the espalier process, and the basics of summer and winter pruning needed to maintain your espaliered tree or shrub.
Saturday, January 20, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM
Garden of the Sun
1750 N. Winery
Fresno, CA 93703
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.
Saturday, January 27, 2024
MGs Sue and Joan
The rose is our National Flower, so come learn about this beautiful flower. General rose care will be discussed, plus we will have a "hands on" pruning session. Bring your gloves & pruners!
Saturday, January 27, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM
Garden of the Sun
1750 N. Winery
Fresno, CA 93703
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.
February 2024 Classes
Saturday, February 3, 2024
All About Citrus 
Learn how to keep your citrus trees in tip top shape, as well as producing abundant fruit. Learn how to prepare the soil, plant and care for your trees. Find out how to participate in the Plant a Row for the Hungry (P.A.R.) program. Bring your citrus to the Garden of the Sun between 8:30-11:30 AM to share with people in need.
Saturday, February 3, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM
Garden of the Sun
1750 N. Winery
Fresno, CA 93703
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.
Saturday, February 10, 2024
How to Grow a Pollinator Garden from Seeds
Are you interested in creating a pollinator garden in your landscape? Which seeds should you plant and when? MG Alexis will share the best plants to attract the bees, butterflies and other pollinators to your flowers.
Saturday, February 10, 2024
10:00-11:30 AM
In person at Woodward Park Library
944 E Perrin Ave
Fresno, CA 93720
559-600-3135
Register for free January-April 2024 classes here.