Get Ready for Your Backyard Bounty!
May 28, 2024 – By UC Master Gardener/Master Food Preserver, Michele Nowak-Sharkey - The UC Mariposa County Master Food Preservers and Master Gardeners are collaborating to bring an information packed day of gardening and food preservation FUN to Coulterville on Saturday, June 29th, at the incredible Big Table Ranch.
The day begins with the basics of how to find the best location for a vegetable garden along with understanding soil composition to ensure your plants have what they need to grow into a backyard bounty. Participants are asked to bring a baggie of their garden “dirt” to evaluate what is needed to create “great soil”. A hands-on seed starting session gives everyone the opportunity to go home with a 6-pack of planted veggie seeds.
In between the morning and afternoon session, everyone is encouraged to bring their lunch to eat while hearing about the UC Master Gardeners program, Plant a Row. Plant A Row works to combat food insecurity in Mariposa County by distributing excess garden bounty from commercial growers and home gardeners to organizations that work with those in need. Tastings and snacks provided by the Master Food Preservers will highlight some of the delicious ways to extend your garden bounty through preservation.
The afternoon session offers an introduction to a variety of food preservation techniques, such as canning and dehydrating. A demonstration of Pesto making and a hands-on experience of preparing dilled beans, rounds out this incredible day!
The whole day is only $20! Individuals can opt to come for only the morning or afternoon at $15 per session. Scholarships are available.
Registration is required and is offered online by using the QR code by calling 209-966-2417.
We are excited to help you grow and preserve your backyard bounty this season!
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.
Source & photo: UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County
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.
