May
Wildlife in Native Gardens NEW
Tuesday, May 6, 10–11:30am
Demonstration Garden, limit 25 people
Would you like your yard to be a haven for native wildlife? Landscaping with native plants is only the beginning! In this workshop, we’ll discuss other important features that can be incorporated into your garden to attract, feed, and support the life cycles of many different kinds of wildlife, including birds, insects, lizards, and more.
Register for Wildlife in Native Gardens
DIY Hardscaping NEW
Thursday, May 8, 10–11:30am
Pat's Barn, limit 30
In planning your new drought-tolerant landscape, consider adding some hardscaping too. Choose hardscape materials that are permeable so water will filter through and recharge our groundwater. Create places to sit and rest in the garden. Include boulders, rocks, and loose rock walls to provide wildlife habitat.
Weed ID and Control
Tuesday, May 13, 10–11:30am
Demonstration Garden, limit 25 people
Join us for a fascinating exploration of the clues that weeds can offer about soil problems. Using the gardens at Patrick Ranch as a lab, a team of Master Gardeners will show you how to identify common weeds and what their presence might reveal about the health of the soil. Knowing what the presence of particular weeds indicates can help you manage soil more efficiently and with less reliance on herbicides. A discussion of mulch as a way to prevent and control weeds is also included in this workshop.
Register for Weed ID and Control
Garden Tool Maintenance and Care NEW
Saturday, May 24, noon–2pm
Demonstration Garden, limit 25 people
Do your favorite tools need some TLC, but you need help figuring out where to start? Join this interactive workshop to learn some techniques and good practices to extend the life of your tools and make them work harder for you. We'll also explore more unusual garden tools to see if you want to upgrade your toolshed. Attendees can bring one garden tool for a preliminary assessment of the necessary repairs and how it can be better maintained.
Register for Garden Tool Maintenance and Care
June
Succulents
Tuesday, June 3, 10–11:30am
Demonstration Garden, limit 25 people
Succulents do well in our Mediterranean climate because their thick, fleshy leaves retain water during long dry summers. Their striking and unusual appearance makes these plants great choices for ornamental gardens. This workshop focuses on the heat and water requirements of succulents, and covers types that are suitable for planting in the ground and in containers. We will include a tour of our new Succulent Garden and a discussion of the plants featured there.
“Black Gold” Vermiculture
Friday, June 6, 10–11:30
Demonstration Garden, limit 25 people
We don’t mean oil! We mean the beautiful, rich, nutritious compost you create from kitchen and garden scraps, along with help from the vermiculture community. Worms consume the biomass you provide them, digest it, and then excrete worm castings, or “Black Gold.” This workshop, taught by a Certified Composter, will show you how to start the process and keep the worms happy so they continue to cast off Black Gold for your plants.
Register for “Black Gold” Vermiculture
About the Workshops
Registration
- Workshops are free—registration is required for all workshops.
- Participation is limited. Limit is indicated for each workshop.
- Registration is on a first come, first served basis.
- Heavy rain cancels outdoor workshops (unless noted); canceled workshops will be rescheduled.
Workshop Locations
- Pat’s Barn and the Demonstration Garden: Patrick Ranch, 10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham.
- Bradley 2 at The Social 1400 W. 3rd St., Chico
- Terry Ashe Recreation Center, 6626 Skyway, Paradise
- Plant Barn Nursery, 406 Entler Ave, Chico
- Other locations: will be either indicated in the descriptions or for private residents registered participants will receive an address via email several days before the workshop.
Questions? Need to cancel? Want to get on a Workshop Waiting List?
Please email us at anrmgbutte@ucanr.edu. Be sure to include your phone number in case we need to contact you.
Watch a Workshop
Missed a workshop? Videos of some past workshops can be found on our YouTube channel.
Give a Gift to the UC Master Gardeners of Butte County
Gifts help support our workshops, the Demonstration Garden at Patrick Ranch, and Master Gardener community outreach projects in Butte County. Thank you! Your support is greatly appreciated!