Free Online Gardening Talks!

In our region, we are fortunate to have so much sun and scenery, and so many interesting plants. But water is precious and expensive. How can you have an attractive landscape, and, at the same time, keep the water bill under control? Let us show you how to use the principles of Xeriscaping to build a beautiful AND low water use yard.

Part 3 of a series: focus on Right Plant, Right Place, Right Time It seems like most folks get into the Master Gardening program because of failure to thrive issues in their own garden. The training we receive helps us to learn what we can control and what we cannot control and how to make the best of this situation. For me, it’s been an important lesson to learn and one that I am reminded of often as I plan and work in my garden. This talk is designed to differentiate between what gardeners have control over and what we need to leave to nature and there will be some hints on how to relax as we move through the gardening year.

The importance of proper watering techniques cannot be overemphasized! It is very common to have plant problems caused by poor watering practices which include under watering, over watering, and inconsistent watering. In this class local expert & Master Gardener Michael Ismail teaches you about the best equipment and irrigation methods which you can use to help eliminate these problems.

Pruning is a complex topic, so we've split it up into two classes. Sign up for either or both. More about the basic philosophy and techniques of pruning, with an emphasis on trees & palms. Learn about the 4 D's, and how pruning can help increase the beauty and prolong the life of your trees.

Pruning is a complex topic, so we've split it up into two classes. Sign up for either or both. More about the basic philosophy and techniques of pruning, with an emphasis on trees & palms. Learn about the 4 D's, and how pruning can help increase the beauty and prolong the life of your trees.

Gardening here is much different than in most areas of the U.S., offering special rewards and special challenges. This presentation is designed to familiarize newcomers with the unique climate, soil, and native plant types in the Sonoran Desert to help them transition successfully. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome

What is a weed? Well, weeds are in the eye of the beholder unless it is an invasive plant. How to identify? In this talk we will focus on the most common weeds found in Tucson, how to identify them and how to control them organically. I’ll also provide information on some invasive species, including the newly arrived stinknet.

Many native wild flowers and plants grown in our gardens In Arizona are poisonous to our pets, horses, livestock and even people who might eat them. This presentation will discuss the most common poisonous plants in Arizona.

Growing plants from seeds is one of the most economical ways to expand your garden. But which seeds are easiest to save, and how do you know which ones will produce the right results? This class focuses mainly on saving seeds from wildflowers, other native plants, and common vegetable garden plants.

This talk is the first in a four-part series on native plant identification. Over the course of four talks, we will take a virtual tour from the Tucson basin up to the top of Mt. Lemmon, exploring our native plants and their habitats along the way. This first talk explores plants native to our own Tucson basin, looking at some of our most common Sonoran Desert trees, shrubs, perennials, and cacti, and the wonderfully unique environments that they grow in.

Proven techniques to help all your plants survive the 100+ degree temperatures. Learn which plants are known to thrive in the heat.

In this class we will focus on the issues that can arise with tomatoes as we head into the hot, windy, dry summer months. I’ll share some ways to save yourself headaches and we will discuss pests and diseases that are common in tomatoes. Organic methods of mitigation will be included..

Dirt is what you vacuum off your floors... soil is something entirely different. Soil is at the heart of gardening. Learn how soil works and how it interacts in a living system with your plants. Our soil here in the desert is not “bad,” but does have its special properties and challenges. Why is it different, how does that affect your gardening success, and what are the best practices for Pima County gardeners. This class is somewhat technical and may run longer than usual.

Grow these heat-loving members of the Cucurbit Family all summer long. From small varieties suitable for containers, to huge vines growing squashes that will store for months, we’ll help you figure out how to have success in your garden with this popular garden vegetable.

Adeniums, also called Desert Roses, are not roses at all, but exotic succulents from the African continent and Arabian Peninsula. Their brilliant flowers and large bulbous stem make them a true statement plant. Come learn about how to grow them, propagate them, and protect them so that you, too, can wow your neighbors and friends and enjoy these beautiful and unusual plants.

“Beetles live everywhere and do everything” according to entomologist Richard Jones. Across the globe there are half a million beetle species that have been identified, described, and catalogued. There is huge diversity among beetles – shape, form, life history, ecology, behavior. Unfortunately, many people only see a problem when they see a beetle. But this species can indicate freshwater quality, help identify threatened habitats or those with broad diversity and in fact their movement on the planet is helping scientists understand climate change. Join us to learn more about a few of the beetles we have in southeastern Arizona. We’ll focus on why beetles are so important to our planet and to humans and have some fun learning about unusual behaviors that may go unnoticed.

It may rain rarely in Tucson, but when it does, we have a lot of water. What can we do with all of this rain? In the first half of the presentation, we'll talk about collecting and dispersing all of the water we collect on our property. In the second half, we will show you how to make your own rainwater collection barrel.