Garden Growing Support Close to Home
July 10, 2023 - By Michele Nowak-Sharkey, UC Master Gardener of Mariposa County - The UC Master Gardener Program has been extending research-based information about home horticulture and pest management to the public since 1980. The UC Master Gardener Program is a public service and outreach program under the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, administered locally by participating UC Cooperative Extension County offices.
Here in Mariposa County, we have an active roster of 50+ volunteers. You may have seen us at a local event such as Butterfly Days or overseeing the Horticulture building at the County Fair. But beside being available for gardening advise at festivals, and events, the MGs of Mariposa are involved in many outreach projects.
Enjoy a stroll along Stroming Ave in downtown Mariposa to see the MG Demonstration Garden of California Native Plants. MGs have helped to create a native plant garden in front of the California State Mining & Mineral Museum at the Fairgrounds.
Stop by the MG table at the Farmers Market during the spring/summer season. The MG table is also where you can drop-off extra produce from your garden for the Plant A Row program that contributes surplus foods stuff to local organizations to combat food insecurity in the county.
UC MGs of Mariposa are active in school programs too, such as the Wasuma School garden and school field trips to Happy Goat Farms.
The Helpline (209)-966-7078 mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu is only a phone call or email away for answers to gardening or pest management issues. And don’t forget our Annual Spring Plant sale in April at the fairgrounds to get your garden plant starts.
Watch for our public workshops on such topics as growing plants from seed, composting in your garden, or how to grow roses! And speaking of roses, the MGs have a committee to identify Heritage Roses throughout the county. Some of those roses might be part of a MG Farm and Garden tour too!
If you are looking for something to listen to while driving, catch the, Over the Garden Fence program on KRYZ 98.5 Mariposa on Wednesdays at 2:00 and Saturdays at 5:00.
The UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County outreach extends from each corner of the county! Look for us at the next local event, call the helpline, listen to the radio or chat with us at the Farmers Market. And if you want to become a Master Gardener yourself, the next training will be in early 2024. Call the MG office for more information (209) 966-7078.
From our gardens to yours, let’s do some growing together!
For assistance, contact our Helpline at (209) 966-7078 or at mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu. We are currently unable to take samples or meet with you in person but welcome pictures.
The U.C. Master Gardener Helpline is staffed; Tuesdays from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. and Thursdays from 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Clients may bring samples to the Agricultural Extension Office located at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, but the Master Gardener office is not open to the public. We will not be doing home visits this year due to UCANR restrictions.
Helpline Serving Mariposa County, including Greeley Hill, Coulterville, and Don Pedro
Please contact the helpline, or leave a message by phone at: (209) 966-7078
By email (send photos and questions for researched answers) to: mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu
For further gardening information and event announcements, please visit: UCMG website: https://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener
Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/mariposamastergardeners
Master Gardener Office Location:
UC Cooperative Extension Office,
5009 Fairgrounds Road
Mariposa, CA 95338
Phone: (209) 966-2417
Email: mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu
Website: http://cemariposa.ucanr.edu/Master_Gardener
Visit the YouTube channel at UCCE Mariposa.
Listen to us on the radio at KRYZ 98.5 Mariposa on Wednesdays at 2:00 P.M. and Saturdays at 5:00 P.M.
