Pima Master Gardener Program

• Classes offered online via Zoom
• Computer or smart device required
• Register in advance using the links below
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining class.

Thursday Nov. 5, 2020 5:30pm(AZ Time) "How to Propagate Plants"                
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Presenter: Kathleen Roberts
Make new plants from old ones. Learn the secrets of plant propagation from Master Gardeners. Many different methods can be used to create more plants from your old favorites. Save money while you expand your garden.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Monday Nov. 9, 2020 5:30pm(AZ Time) "Diagnosing Garden Problems: Yellowing Leaves"                  
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Presenter: Toni Moore
Diagnosing problems in the garden can be complicated and confusing. To help, we're offering a series of classes, each concerned with a very narrow type of problem. Today, we're focusing on "yellow leaves". What's causing the discoloration you see on your plants' leaves, and what can you do about it.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Tuesday Nov. 10, 2020 1:30pm(AZ Time) "Diagnosing Garden Problems: Leaf Damage"                  
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Presenter: Toni Moore & Deborah North
Diagnosing problems in the garden can be complicated and confusing. To help, we're offering a series of classes, each concerned with a very narrow type of problem. Today, we're focusing on leaves that are torn, chewed, ripped, have holes cut in them, or are missing altogether. What is doing this and how can you help your plants survive the damage?
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to advanced

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Thursday Nov. 12, 2020 5:30pm(AZ Time) "Cool Season Vegetable Gardening"                  
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Presenter: Kathleen Roberts
During our cool season the weather is great, the insects and other pests are less active, less water is required, and the vegetables have higher nutritional value than warm season vegetables. So go for it! Learn about both in- ground and raised bed approaches, and the key steps to successful vegetable and herb gardening in the cool season.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Tuesday Nov. 17, 2020 1:30pm(AZ Time) "Citrus"                  
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Presenter: Deborah North
Nothing is more satisfying than picking fresh, ripe citrus off your very own trees.  Learn how to select the best varieties for your garden, and how to properly plant, water, fertilize, and protect them from frost.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Wednesday Nov. 18, 2020 1:00pm(AZ Time) "Poisonous Plants"                  
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Presenter: Tony Knight
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.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: intermediate

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Thursday Nov. 19, 2020 5:30pm(AZ Time) "Frost Protection"                  
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Presenter: Kathleen Roberts
Cold can be even more difficult for plants here in the desert than heat. Learn how to adequately protect your plants from frost damage, understand cold weather, and how heat is transferred and how to prevent frost damage so that winter will be a successful season for your garden.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Friday Nov. 20, 2020 2:30pm(AZ Time) "Creating Your First Raised Bed Garden (part 1)"                  
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Presenter: Barry Weissman
More and more people are doing their vegetable gardening in raised beds. Part one of a series of how to get started. Today’s
class will cover basic ideas, as well as nuts & bolts instructions on how to build a bed.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Saturday Nov. 21, 2020 5:30pm(AZ Time) "Creating Your First Raised Bed Garden (part 2)"
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Presenter: Toni Moore
This is part of a series of beginner’s classes on growing vegetable in containers. Last class we learned how to “build the box”.Now, we’ll learn about what you should fill it with, how to set up your watering system, and what plants to start with. Raised bed gardening has advantages over in-ground gardening, but some challenges too. We’ll discuss the differences and figure out how to make your veggie garden a success. Look for part 3 next week.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners

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Tuesday Nov. 24, 2020 1:30pm(AZ Time) "Creating Your First Raised Bed Garden (part 3)"
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Presenter: Deborah North
Part 3 of our series on growing vegetables in containers. Last week we learned about different types of raised beds, how to build them, and how to get your garden set up and planted for the first time. Now, we’ll discuss how to keep it going, what problems you might expect to encounter, and how to deal with any issues. This is the final class on how to make your raised bed veggie garden a success.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Friday Nov. 27, 2020 1:00pm(AZ Time) "Pruning part 1: basics & shrubs"
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Presenter: Marilyn Robinson
Pruning is a complex topic, so we've split it up into two classes. Sign up for either or both. Look for part 2 next week. Today will cover the basic principles of pruning with an emphasis on woody shrubs. What is rejuvenation pruning and when should you be using it? What's the difference between shearing, heading, and size reduction, and which should you be doing? We'll also talk about tools and when NOT to prune.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Tuesday  Dec. 1, 2020  1:30pm(AZ Time) "Tomatoes for the Desert"
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Presenter: Deborah North
Yes, tomatoes DO grow here. Learn the tricks of the trade from Master Gardeners so that you too can pick fresh, ripe tomatoes from your most successful garden ever.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Thursday Dec. 3, 2020  5:30pm(AZ Time) "Container Gardening"
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Presenter: Kathleen Roberts
See how gardening in raised beds or other containers saves water, keeps away critters, and saves strain on your knees and back! Learn what materials to use, types of soil that work best, and everything else you need for container gardening. Both vegetable and ornamental type plants will be discussed
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Friday Dec. 4, 2020  5:30pm(AZ Time) "Pruning part 2: trees & more techniques"
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Presenter: Toni Moore
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.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Sunday Dec. 6, 2020 4:00pm (AZ Time) "Gardening As We Age"
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Presenter: Penny Ratzan & Toni Moore
Your joy in gardening will never end if you use these these tips and techniques to keep it safe and fun as you age.
Meeting time is between 60-90 minutes Level: beginners to advanced

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Tuesday Dec. 8, 2020  1:30pm(AZ Time) "Beneficial Insects"
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Presenter: Deborah North
Not all “bugs” are bad! In fact, beneficial insects are a natural and necessary part of every garden environment. Learn how to identify the good guys, why we love them, and how to attract beneficial insects to your yard.
Meeting time is between 60-90 minutes Level: all

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Thursday Dec. 10, 2020  5:30pm(AZ Time) "Solving Garden Problems"
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Presenter: Kathleen Roberts
What’s wrong with my plant? Is it a bug? A disease? Does it need more water or fertilizer?  Learn how to identify problems in your landscape and vegetable garden, and the best researched-based methods of dealing with them. This class emphasizes vegetable gardening
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Tuesday Dec. 15 2020 1:30pm(AZ Time) "Roses"
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Presenter: Deborah North
Roses love Tucson. Their colorful, fragrant displays in April/May and October/November overwhelm the senses. Invite them into your garden, and learn how to grow and maintain them successfully.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Thursday Dec. 17, 2020  5:30pm(AZ Time) "Glorious Winter Gardens"
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Presenter: Kathleen Roberts
How do you cold-proof your garden for Tucson winters? What plants will make it through the winter unscathed? What plants look great and are trouble-free even in the cold weather? Get the best new ideas for how to have a beautiful wintertime garden.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Saturday Dec. 19, 2020  10:00am(AZ Time) "Tomatoes for the Desert"
Register

Presenter: Penny Ratzan
Yes, tomatoes DO grow here. Learn the tricks of the trade from Master Gardeners so that you too can pick fresh, ripe tomatoes from your most successful garden ever.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Monday  Dec. 21, 2020  5:30pm(AZ Time) "How to Choose Great Plants & Keep Them Growing(part 1)"
Register

Presenter: Toni Moore
Part 1 of a two-part class on what makes a great plant. Learn how to select the best plants at the nursery – what plants should you be choosing anyway, what do you look for, and why? Then learn how to take care of your plants when you get them home. How to plant, stake, water… we’ll separate the myths from the science. Learn how to have greater success with all the plants in your landscape. This class will be continued next week.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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Monday Dec. 28, 2020 5:30pm(AZ Time) "How to Choose Great Plants & Keep Them Growing(part 2)"
Register

Presenter: Toni Moore
Part 2 of a two-part class on what makes a great plant. Learn how to select the best plants at the nursery – what plants should you be choosing anyway, what do you look for, and why? Then learn how to take care of your plants when you get them home. How to plant, stake, water… we’ll separate the myths for the science. Learn how to have greater success with all the plants in your landscape. This is a continuation from last week.
Class Time: 60-90 minutes. Level: Beginners to intermediate

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UPDATE [3/16/2020] In support of our community's health and following guidance from the University of Arizona, Centers for Disease Control and others, we are postponing this year's sale. Please stay tuned for further updates as we continue to monitor the situation.  

Our Master Gardeners in Propagation have been busy nurturing beautiful inexpensive plants as well as some unusual selections. 

Here are some of the plants we will be featuring in our sale: 

• Fruit: Strawberries, blackberries, figs and pomegranates.

• Butterfly Attractants: Flowering shrubs and plants for the adult butterfly nectar such as Lantana, Mt. Lemmon Marigold, Mexican Flame Vine; as well as larval food, ie. Plants meant to be eaten by the caterpillars, such as Milkweed, Rue, Parsley and Fennel.

• Hummingbird Attractants: Salvia’s of all sizes and colors, Sages and many flowering shrubs. We will feature many southwest native plants such as Parry’s Penstemon and Brittle Bush.

For the cacti and succulent lovers we will have large Crested Peruvian Apple Cactus and many varieties of succulents, including Crown of Thorns, Slipper Plants, Climbing Aloes, assorted Agaves and Trichocereus cactus of differing colors.

We also have young Moringa trees and several mature trees, such as Ponytail Palm and Madagascar Palm – bring your trucks along with some muscle!

We have an abundance of bulbs, such as Iris and Rain Lilies as well as ground covers and plants that Desert Tortoise’s love to eat.

We will have Master Gardeners available to answer questions and to help you pick the perfect plant whether to entice our feathered friends or to lure some tropical butterflies into your flight path.  In addition, we will have quality compost, garden art, decorated pots, handbooks, and soil probes available for purchase.

            Come join the fun, support a great “for the public, not-for-profit” group of volunteers and add some new life to your garden. Cash and checks only please.  Sorry, no debit/credit cards.

 

 

• Tucson Area Gardening Links

 

• PCMG Partnerships

The Tucson Garden Handbook is a guide for helping people successfully garden in our desert environment.  This guide can be used by gardeners at all levels of expertise, but is especially helpful for those new to desert gardening.  The Handbook includes how to grow: cacti and agave, desert adapted trees, vegetables and herbs, citrus, flowers and roses.  It also contains guidelines for watering, working with your soil, integrated pest management, and much more.  You can buy the Handbook at the following retail outlets. The cost is $10.

                         PCMG Handbook Vendors

 

Thank you to #ThisIsTucson for adding the Pima County MG Handbook to your "2020 Summer Reading Challenge"! 

View our handbook and the other great reads on the list, here: 2020 Summer Reading Challenge