Events and Community Projects

Demonstration Gardens

Mariposa 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 will soon be available online and in a literature box attached to the permanent signage at 8th Street. 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 2018 SPRING SALE will be held on Saturday, April 28 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.
• Mosquito Fish (suggested donation $5). Bring a bucket or cooler to transport.
• Information center including: Fire Safe Council, CalFire, Blue Ridge, PG&E, UC Master Gardeners Help-Line, Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), Mariposa County Resource Conservation Districts (MCRCD), and Landfill Mulch Program.
• MCRCD will have Free Pondorosa Pine seedlings.

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 6, 2018 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.

Spring Garden Tour

With great pleasure, UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County announce their

$12.00 Advance Tickets; $15.00 Day of Tour

• Tickets available at: UCCE Mariposa Office, Mariposa Visitor Center, Chocolate Soup, or from any Master Gardener
• Make checks payable to: U.C. Regents
• To buy tickets on-line with your credit card click here.
• All guests must have tickets, including children not in arms
• Car pool encouraged                                                                      
• No refunds rain or shine
• No strollers
• No smoking

Nature has been rough on California gardens (and gardeners!) over the last few years. We’ve suffered through searing summer heat, scant winter rain, watering restrictions, raging fires; you name it. But if nature is tough, determined gardeners are tougher! The owners of these quintessential California gardens demonstrate the tenacity and imagination of the determined plant lover. Some have transitioned to more native and drought-tolerant plant choices. All have learned to work with the natural environment in order to enhance, not obscure it.

The hills are green, and it’s bound to be a spectacular wildflower year, so throw off the winter blues and come enjoy five lovely and creative gardens. Tickets are on sale NOW.

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.

Enjoy the unique features in each garden and discover what can be grown at various elevations and in the different microclimates in the County.

Information Booth at the Farmers' Market

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

The Mariposa County Fair Labor Day Weekend is a labor of love for Master Gardeners who perform docent duties in the fruit, vegetable and floral judging building (downstairs from the food judging building) from opening to closing every day of the fair.  Master Gardener docents talk about the displays and answer home gardening questions.

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.