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 Mariposa Master Gardeners 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 2017 SPRING SALE will be held on Saturday, April, 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and offers a large selection of annuals, perennials, natives, vegetables, heirlooms and hard to find varieties.  The event also includes beautiful garden art handmade by our local Master Gardeners.  The sale takes place at the Mariposa Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road at the Amigo Picnic Area.

The FALL SALE is held on the first Saturday in October 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 garden art and other surprises. The sale takes place at the Coulterville Firehouse Demonstration Garden at the intersection of highways 132 and 49 in Coulterville.

Spring Garden Tour

Don’t get fooled into missing this exciting spring event! With great pleasure, Mariposa County Master Gardeners announce their Spring Garden Tour, to be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. This year the gardening public will have the privilege of touring five outstanding gardens in the Lake Don Pedro subdivision. This is the first time that the tour will be held in that part of the county, and gardeners there are eager to show you how they have integrated their landscapes with the rugged beauty of the area, with its striking rock outcroppings, views of the lake and lush, oak-studded hills.

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 created efficient water capture systems to catch and hold rainwater. Others 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, the lake is full 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 may be purchased on-line using a credit card, from the UCCE office in Mariposa, at Sierra Flowers in Coulterville, or from any Mariposa County Master Gardener. Advance tickets are $12, $15 the day of the tour.

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

Master Gardeners man an information booth at the Mariposa Farmers' Market the first Wednesday of each month May to October, 5:00 - 6:30. 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.