UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA
University of California
UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County, CA

Spring Garden Fair — Gardening Talks and More

Use our free Plant Daycare for your purchases, then stroll through our gardens, attend a talk, or bring your plant, soil, pest, and tool questions to our Information Tables.

 

Gardening Talks 2024

Join us for these great gardening talks and get your questions answered afterward. Talks are held outdoors on our parcel and will be about 45 minutes long.

In the Pavilion

10:00 am

Adapting Your Home to Live With Fire

Barb Satink Wolfson, Area Fire Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, will discuss ways to make homes more resilient to wildfire. This will include some dos and don’ts for homes and gardens that can make a big difference in reducing wildfire risk.

11:00 am

Growing Great Chilis/Peppers

Join Laura Westley to learn all about growing great chilis/peppers in Santa Clara County. Whether you like them mild, medium, hot, or extremely hot, there’s a pepper to grow for you! The best growing conditions, including temperature, soil, water, and fertilizing requirements will be discussed. Different varieties that do great in Santa Clara County will be shown.

12:00 pm

Tomato Success!

Are you ready for a taste of summer’s jewels? It’s time to plant tomatoes, and it’s really easy to do! Master Gardener Jim Bell will share what you need to know to grow your own great tomatoes. Immediately following the talk, Master Gardener Elizabeth Evans will demonstrate up-potting and transplanting tomatoes into a demo garden bed.

At the Farm Stand

10:00 am

Tomato Success!

Are you ready for a taste of summer’s jewels? It’s time to plant tomatoes, and it’s really easy to do! Master Gardener Jim Bell will share what you need to know to grow your own great tomatoes. Immediately following the talk, Master Gardener Elizabeth Evans will demonstrate up-potting and transplanting tomatoes into a demo garden bed.

11:00 am

Growing a Bountiful Summer Garden

Would you like to eat delicious vegetables from your own garden this summer? Join Master Gardener Matt Hall as he shares tips for preparing your garden, growing squash, beans, and cucumbers, and planting in containers.

12:00 pm

Planting for Cut Bouquets and Pollinators

Flowers add such beauty to our gardens. They are wonderful to add color to your home and they draw in a variety of pollinators for a healthy garden. Come listen to Master Gardener Nella Henninger explain why you should grow flowers in your garden and how to get started.

In the Orchard

10:30 am

Spring Prep for Fruit Trees

The Orchard is popping right now, and there is lots to do in April to get the most out of your trees. We’ll discuss planting, pruning, fertilizing, watering, thinning, grafting and more. Plenty of time for questions, including before and after the talk when Don will be in The Orchard answering your fruit tree questions. Don Bollinger is the lead for The Orchard at our Martial Cottle Park demo garden.

11:30 am

Rain Catchment, Storage, and Use in the Garden

Join Master Gardener Hank Morales for an introduction to safe rain harvesting, storage, and garden use strategies.

12:30 pm

Make a Succulent Garden in a Pot

We all love succulents! Master Gardener Judy Hecht will show you how to create a stunning succulent garden in a pot. In addition, she’ll go over how to use succulents in a landscape to great effect.

Information Tables

Bring your plant, soil, pest, and tool questions to our Education Booths.

  • Help Desk: Bring your questions and plant samples to learn more about what is in your garden.
  • California Native Plants: Find out more about these plants that are perfectly adapted to our climate
  • Tool Care: See live demonstrations of how to keep your tools sharp and in tip-top condition. Bring your own hand pruner (it must be in working condition) and learn to sharpen it yourself.
  • Irrigation Troubleshooting: Chat with our team about irrigating your garden. See a demo on different irrigation options.
  • Children’s Activities: Make a mini backyard composter and learn how to conduct a compost experiment at home. Look for us by the School Garden Demonstration Beds.

Tomatoes, Peppers, Herbs, Flowers, Native Plants, and Succulents

Master Gardeners in our sales areas will be happy to talk with you about growing, harvesting, dealing with problems, special varieties, and more!

Webmaster Email: webmaster-mgsantaclara@ucanr.edu