Coordinator Contact

Rachel McClure
Washoe County Master Gardener Coordinator
rmcclure@unr.edu
775-336-0274

Learn more about the Extension, Washoe County office

Extension, Washoe County Master Gardeners

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Who are Master Gardeners?

Master Gardeners are volunteers who have been trained in the finer points of gardening to improve their own knowledge and to share it with others. Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans. As volunteers, Master Gardeners contribute volunteer hours every year through a variety of projects, including but not limited to: answering telephone and email inquiries, staffing booths at fairs and home shows, conducting educational presentations in the community and consulting at school and community gardens. 

Two Master Gardeners gardening in front of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts

Contact a Master Gardener: 

  • Visit the office at 4955 Energy Way in Reno by appointment.
  • Desk Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
  • Email them at ExtensionWashoeMG@unr.edu.
  • Call the office at 775-784-4848.

Helpful Handouts

Check out our Quarterly Newsletter!

 

Master Gardener Projects in Washoe County

Below are a few of the many volunteer projects Master Gardener volunteers are involved in.

Project Photo Address Description
Extension Office Demonstration Gardens

plant boxes next to a white building.

4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502 The Washoe County Extension Office features a native garden on one side and a raised flower bed garden on the other. Visit us to explore the variety of plants that flourish here. For a handout with plant names and descriptions, stop by or email us at ExtensionWashoeMG@unr.edu.
Gardening in Nevada, The Bartley Ranch Series

A man smiling wearing dark sunglasses standing next to a table with plants.

6000 Bartley Ranch Rd. Reno, NV 89511

These annual gardening talks have become a mainstay and tradition for our community on Tuesday evenings in February and March at the Bartley Ranch Heritage Center. We also host a nonperishable food drive at this event for the Northern Nevada Food Bank. 

Article on Gardening in Nevada workshops and seed swaps

Historic Huffaker School at Bartley Ranch

Photo of a woman smiling standing behind a white picket fence in front of a white house.

6000 Bartley Ranch Rd. Reno, NV 89511 The Historic Huffaker School, located in the Bartley Ranch Regional Park, is rich in history and hallmarked by beautiful, brick-laden pathways surrounded by flower gardens maintained by Washoe County Master Gardeners.
Junior Master Gardener Program

 

South Valley Library

15650A Wedge Pkwy Reno, NV 89511

This Junior Master Gardener program hosted by Master Gardener Volunteers is an afterschool drop-in program that focuses on STEM & STEAM based concepts all related to horticulture.   See the library calendar of events for more information. 
Master Gardener Help Desk

A master gardener showing some plants inside the extension office.

4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502 Open to the public to help with horticultural questions and information Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM come in or call 775-336-0265 or email extensinWashoeMG@urn.edu for help. 
Master Gardener Plant Sale

 

people standing and crouching down under pop-up tent with many green plants.

A woman showing off some plants during the UNR extension master gardener plant sale. 

Washoe County Extension Office 4955 Energy Way, Reno, NV 89502 The 2025 Plant Sale will be on May 16th & 17th. Master Gardeners cultivate plant starts in a greenhouse at the UNR Experiment Station, offering them for sale to local community members. We focus on plants and varieties that thrive in our local conditions, helping you kickstart your garden. The Master Gardener Program is primarily self-funded, and this initiative is one of the key ways we finance our efforts. We extend our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous community support we receive annually for this project.
Master Gardener Teaching and Demonstration Garden @ Rancho San Rafael Community Gardens in the Family & Farm Area  Group of people standing outside standing behind a garden sign.Two master gardeners standing next to a square foot garden bed.

1595 N Sierra St, Reno, NV 89503

Located at the Community Gardens at Rancho San Rafael

During the growing season, our partnership with Washoe County Parks and Open Spaces allows us to collaborate with the public and Community Garden members on effective gardening techniques and practices suitable for our climate.

Come by to see our demonstration, teaching gardens & beds. You can also attend one of our many educational events! During the gardening season we hold monthly educational talks and donate a large portion of the produce we grow to the Reno Gospel Mission to help those in need. Our cut flower field rows, provide bouquets for our local senior center. 

Mobile Help Desks  Three people standing in front and behind a table with an Extension blue tablecloth outside. Various Dates & Locations Master Gardener volunteers have pop-up Help Desks at different communities and Master Gardener events to help answer community horticultural questions. We try and hold these events on evenings and weekends to give community members who work alternate times for help.
Northern Nevada Garden Tour Multiple locations around the greater Reno area

This self-paced, all-ages tour showcases homeowners' gardens in Northern Nevada, allowing participants to explore as many gardens as they wish. Tourgoers will be inspired by the creative and thriving high desert gardens, gaining ideas from these successful and inventive DIY gardeners. The event is hosted by The Rail City Garden Center. The 2025 tour dates are August 23rd & 24th.  

Tickets: Available through Rail City Garden Center.

Northern Nevada Veterans Home

Two people standing next to a wooden garden bed. One person holding lettuce up to their face.

36 Battle born Way, Sparks, NV 89431

Each week, Washoe County Master Gardeners collaborate with residents to plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables in the landscape, outdoor gardens, and indoor conservatory.

Ronald McDonald House Photo of a group of women standing in front of a grey house and holding a plant.

323 Maine, St. Reno, NV 89502

Master Gardeners volunteer to create beautiful, peaceful places of respite in the grounds around the house for Ronald McDonald residents. We also offer educational talks throughout the year. 

Spanish Springs Library Garden Talks Woman standing in front of large TV screen pointing to flower image.

7100A Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89436 

Join us year-round one Sunday a month for gardening talks! See the library calendar of events for specific dates, times and topics @ events.washoecountylibrary.us In 2025 we will have a specific theme for each month. 

Talks @ Rancho San Rafael Community Gardens. people standing in front of a table outside among trees.  

We hold monthly information garden talks on multiple subjects and have a Mobile Help Desk at these events to help answer community horticulture questions. 

When: TBD

 

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Washoe County's Leadership Team

Rachel McClure
Program Leader & Contact