Events and Community Projects

Demonstration Gardens

Master Gardeners developed and maintain a demonstration garden of California native plants along the path of the Mariposa Creek Parkway on Stroming Road, between 6th and 8th Streets. The purpose of the garden is to demonstrate the beauty and hardiness of California native plants in home landscaping. Most of the plants in this garden are drought tolerant, attract birds and butterflies and are unattractive to deer. Many plant species and varieties are labeled and a brochure for self-guidance is available on-line. Take a stroll down the path and see Flannel Bush, Leopard Lily, Buckeye, Western Columbine, Western Blue Flax, Emerald Carpet Manzanita, Redbud and many others. Funding was provided by the Elvenia J. Slosson Endowment Fund, which is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the science and practice of horticulture, particularly including ornamental horticulture for the home gardener. Click here to view the Mariposa Creek Native Plant Demonstration Garden Guide.

There is a Sierra Nevada Foothills Native Plant Demonstration Garden located at 5039 Fairgrounds Rd. Click here for a Plant Identification Guide to this garden.

Plant and Garden Art Sales

Twice each year, the UC Mariposa Master Gardeners of Mariposa County present a one day plant and garden art sale.  These sales offer unbelievably low prices and access to plants suited to our local climate and often varieties that are difficult to find at a commercial nursery.

The 2019 SPRING SALE will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or until sold out)

• Plants include: tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, California natives, drought-tolerant, annuals, perennials, succulents, grasses, trees, shrubs, and house plants. Bring boxes to transport. 
• Hand Crafted Garden Art.

The sale takes place at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road at the Amigo Picnic Area.

The FALL SALE  will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

This event features perennials, fall and winter vegetables, California natives and succulents, as well as other surprises. The sale takes place at the Coulterville Firehouse Demonstration Garden at the intersection of highways 49 North and J132 in Coulterville.

Arrive early for the best selections:

• Winter Vegetables;
• Garden Plants; Succulents, Catnip & other Herbs & Natives;  
• Salvias, Rudbeckia, & Lavender are just a few of the flowering plants that will delight your senses;
• There will be an information booth for gardening questions by local Master Gardeners.

14th Annual Spring Garden Tour

Be Inspired!

Please join us on Saturday, May 11 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, for a tour of five gardens in Coulterville and Greeley Hill.

This year’s tour revolves around the dual themes of challenge and inspiration. You know the challenges of gardening in our area’s varied elevations, poor soil, hilly land and erratic weather; now find the inspiration to overcome them.

Increasingly, it’s all about the water as we swing yearly between deluge and drought. Explore the use of berms, swales and terraces to tame the deluge on steep slopes. Observe the most effective method of composting and see the abundance it supports.

As you admire the inventiveness of homeowner-designed greenhouses, a farm-to-table garden in a most unexpected place, and some clever ways to thwart birds and deer, you’ll realize that where gardeners are involved no problem is insurmountable.  Persistence and informed practices allow our local gardeners to grow an amazing variety of landscape and food plants that thrive in our hot summers and cold winters. During the tour, knowledgeable docents will be on hand to guide you and answer your gardening questions.

Plan an inspirational Mother’s Day weekend outing and take home great garden ideas by ordering your tickets on-line and pay by credit card. The tour will take place rain or shine.  All participants, including children, must have tickets. Please call us at 209-966-2417 with any questions.

• $12.00 Advance Tickets;  $15.00 Day of Tour
• Tickets available at: UCCE Mariposa Office (5009 Fairgrounds Rd., Mariposa CA), Coulterville & Mariposa Visitor Center, Sierra Flowers in Coulterville, Chocolate Soup, or from any Master Gardener

Master Gardener docents will be on hand at each location to answer your gardening questions.  Brochures will be available at each location to guide you through your walk and identify the plants.

Information Booth at the Farmers' Market

UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County man an information booth at the Mariposa Farmers' Market every Wednesday starting in May through October, from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. Gardening subjects and displays change each month and coincide with seasonal changes. Located at the Sixth Street parking lot on Stroming Road adjacent to the Mariposa Creek Parkway.

John Muir Days

JOHN MUIR DAYS IN COULTERVILLE!

Look for the Annual John Muir Festival scheduled for early June. The main festival venue is Coulterville Park located near the Historic John Muir Route on J132. The family-friendly event celebrates “All Things Muir” providing many opportunities for visitors to share in Muir’s love of nature with hands-on activities and nature play for kids and adults and explore places that Muir himself visited while traveling through the area in the 1800’s. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. For more information about this event check out their website: www.johnmuir.us/

Mariposa County Fair Horticulture Building

Ag Day in the Classroom

Each year Mariposa Master Gardeners participate in Ag Day in the Classroom in collaboration with the local 4H Program Coordinator and Farm Advisor.  The program is tailored to the specific needs of each particular school but generally focuses on planting seeds, appreciating the purpose of bees (through a reinactment by the children) and making pumpkin pie in a bag.