In this edition
- Planning 2026 Events? Link to a Fun Plant Holiday!
- Reminder: Time to Enroll or Re-enroll
- Master Gardener Orientation
- Cultivating Healthy Plants Webinar Series
- 2025 Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteers
- Nevada Master Gardener Volunteers Go Above and Beyond
- Get your green thumb going: Gardening in Nevada classes return in February (Reno, NV)
- Events Around the State
Planning 2026 Events? Link to a Fun Plant Holiday!
Have you checked out the calendar at the bottom of the newsletter yet? The dates that are bold and in italics are plant-themed holidays. They’re basically invitations to have some garden-themed fun!
Think themed presentations, fun social posts, garden articles, or community pop-up education. Connect with your local county coordinator and start planning something fun for your community this growing season!
Reminder: Time to Enroll or Re-enroll!
Make sure you and your friends are enrolled or re-enrolled in Extension Online! Communications from your local office may be sent through Extension Online, and if you aren't in the system you will not receive the messages. This is also the system that you use for tracking your hours.
Extension Online
Master Gardener Volunteer Orientation Onboarding
Join the brand new virtual Master Gardener volunteer orientation today! This course covers topics that focus more on the program and Extension that we aren't able to cover during basic training.
This course was built for our new interns, but we encourage all volunteers to enroll in the course. Upon successfully completing the course, you will be able to download a certificate of completion.
Master Gardener Orientation
Cultivating Healthy Plants Webinar Series
A collaborative Extension IPM webinar series with: University of Idaho, Montana State University, University of Nevada, Reno, and Utah State University
The Root of the Problem: How Tree Selection & Installation Affect Urban Canopy Health
Date: Thursday, February 26th, 12 pm (Mountain Time), 11 am (Pacific Time)
Speaker: Sierra Laverty, University of Idaho Extension: Sierra Laverty is an Extension Horticulture Educator at University of Idaho, specializing in IPM and native plants. Prior to UI, Sierra worked at the Idaho Botanical Garden as Assistant Horticulture Director for eight years. She received her B.S. in Horticulture from Oregon State University.
Description: Planting a tree is easy—planting the right tree the right way is the challenge. Root defects, challenging sites, stock choices, and installation decisions set the stage for urban tree success (or failure). In this one-hour webinar, Sierra Laverty, Horticulture Educator at University of Idaho, will explain how to combat the planting challenges and help urban trees thrive in the Intermountain West.
Registration: Free, but required.
Pesticide Applicator Credits: one pesticide CEU for live viewing only (may only be available for certain states).
Past Webinars: All webinars are recorded and can be accessed here.
UPCOMING WEBINARS:
- Thursday, March 26, 2026 - Interactions of Drought Stress and Insect Outbreaks, Desireè Wickwar, University of Idaho
Registration
2025 Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteers!
Congratulations and heartfelt thank you to our Master Gardener volunteers who contributed 500 or more volunteer hours in 2025. Your dedication, generosity, and passion for serving your communities make a meaningful difference across Nevada.
Through your time spent educating home gardeners, supporting demonstration gardens, growing and donating food, answering community questions, and mentoring new volunteers, you have helped strengthen food security, promote sustainable and defensible landscapes, and expand access to research-based horticulture education statewide.
Reaching 500+ hours is a significant milestone! It reflects not only your commitment to the Master Gardener program and the Extension mission, but also your belief in community service and lifelong learning.
We are deeply grateful for your time, your talent, and your heart. Thank you for helping Nevada grow. Below is the list of the Nevada's Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteers!
- Ralph Sgamma, 1470.5
- Donald White, 1021.25
- Jim Zeh, 924.25
- Shari Elena Quinn, 685.75
- Rolland McHughes, 622.75
- Michael Kauzlarich, 560.75
- Peter Wahlquist, 528.75
- Yutaka Nomura, 523.5
Nevada Master Gardener Volunteers Go Above and Beyond!
A special thank you to the volunteers who went above and beyond by contributing 50 or more hours in 2025! Including our eight Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteers, 175 of our 340 volunteers—an incredible 51% of our entire program—dedicated 50+ hours of service. Your commitment, leadership, and passion are a driving force behind our statewide impact.
- Barbara Carter, 458.5
- Martha McRae, 450.5
- Vernelle Vale, 445.25
- Gail Brandys, 426.75
- Veronica Carmona-Maltz, 414.25
- Linda Fulton, 401
- Suzanne Arney, 370
- Judith Kafantaris, 363
- Michael Partridge, 352.5
- Susan Paddock, 348.75
- Cynthia Edwards, 342.25
- Mary Cohen, 334.5
- Arthur Freeman, 327.5
- Debra Winn, 318.5
- Milan Slikkerveer, 317
- Glenda Bona, 315.5
- Jerri Newcomb, 310
- Kelle Boteilho, 308.5
- Rene King, 288
- Leroy Jackson, 285.5
- Roger McArtor, 274.75
- Jon Zeh, 265.75
- Lori Evans, 256.5
- Val Landau, 256
- Sue Ranftl, 243.5
- Diane Lemon, 243
- Melody Hefner, 237.25
- Suzann Chesebrough-Pruitt, 236.75
- Allen Pavelka, 228.5
- Rebecca Leisle, 227
- William Stillman, 224.5
- Susan Ritter, 222
- Vanessa Witholt, 219.75
- Betsy Slight, 203
- Laura DeSalvo, 200.25
- Laura Jevtich, 197.75
- Pamela Park, 191
- Steve Richardson, 188
- Aimee Cuskelly, 187
- Diane Miniel, 184.75
- John Candelaria, 183.5
- Diane Eisen, 183.25
- Linda Nehl, 181.5
- Brittany Sterling, 176
- Deborah Whitehouse, 174
- Barbara Fenne, 172
- Susan Haas, 166.25
- Georgette Porter, 165
- Robert Cushnie, 164.75
- Karen Luksich, 164.5
- Douglas Linn, 160.5
- Kacy Curry, 159.5
- Cynthia Ochoa, 156.75
- Yvonne Perry, 155.75
- David McGue, 155.25
- Patty Hickman, 155
- Robert Pruitt, 154
- Jeff Curtis, 153
- Kathleen Brakebush, 151.75
- Claudia Fetcho, 147.5
- Martin Reid, 145.75
- Jeff Varadi, 142
- Cheryl Raleigh-Duroff, 141.5
- Lisa Heggeness, 138.5
- Ann Jarrell, 138
- Dawn Detton, 137.5
- Peter Seagrave, 135
- Aubyn Merie, 132.75
- Nanette Mentz, 132
- Robyn Albaeck, 125
- Christine Doolittle, 124.5
- Mary Martin, 123.75
- Steven Chapluk, 122
- Suzanne Miladin, 121.75
- Lori Wiedmer, 121
- Christine McNeese, 120.5
- Mimi Richards, 118.25
- Sally Gill, 112.5
- Deborah Hancock, 112.25
- Kathleen MCNIFF, 112
- Patricia LaBrosse, 110.5
- Deborah Henderson, 109.5
- Sally Hull, 109.5
- Ellen Ross, 106.25
- Scot Troter, 105.75
- Renee DuBoff, 104.75
- Doreen Spires, 104.75
- Randall Stout, 104.5
- Maxine Weiss, 103.5
- Terri Lenhart, 99.75
- Heather Ridenour, 98.25
- Joanie Bourbeau, 97.5
- Janet Owens, 96.5
- Glenda Jurke, 94.5
- Susan Dunham, 94
- Vicki Yuen, 92.25
- Terry Newcomb, 91.75
- Judy Jones, 87.5
- Cinny Anderson, 87
- Christina Ropeter, 87
- Kimberly Williams, 86.25
- Kim Grytdahl, 85.5
- Roderick Haulenbeek, 84
- Valerie Ojeman, 83.5
- Angela White, 83
- Debra Jacobson, 82.75
- Sara Marcus, 80.5
- Roxanna Kholghi, 78.5
- Helen Detmer, 77.25
- Holly Clifford, 76.75
- George Biehl, 75
- Trudie Hardy, 75
- Ashley Stone, 75
- Sandra Campbell, 73.5
- Bonnie Muir, 73.25
- Diane Rowe, 73.25
- Becky Colwell, 72
- Baba Anal, 71
- Cristin George, 70
- Judith Kleidon, 69.25
- Carol Sandmeier, 68.5
- Rosemary Denis, 68
- Nathan Walton, 67.5
- Connie Summers, 65.75
- James Stone, 65
- Annie Christy, 64.75
- Bryn Lapenta, 64.75
- Catherine Moffatt, 64.5
- Desiree Anatihan, 64
- Laura Cyr, 64
- Blanche La Salle Kreamer, 64
- Sonya Campbell, 63.75
- Elizabeth Moore, 62.5
- Camille Foster, 62.25
- JoJami Tyler, 61.75
- Patricia Howarth, 60.5
- Debbie Johnson, 60.5
- Janice Brown-Silveira, 60
- Laura Dick, 59.75
- Belinda Foreman, 59.75
- William Johnson, 59.5
- Tiffany Ballard, 59.25
- Bob Foerster, 58.5
- Abigail Jarrett, 58.5
- Patricia Switzer, 58.5
- Victoria Dexter, 57.5
- Natalie Oakley, 56.5
- Jane E Davidsaver, 56
- Linda VanCitters, 56
- Lianne Suehiro, 55.75
- Cynthia Burgess, 55
- Robert Peloquin, 55
- Theresa Boudreau, 54.25
- SUE CLARK, 54
- Ashanti McGee, 54
- Mary Eklund, 53.5
- Susan Rogers, 53.5
- John Wilcox, 53.5
- Jasmine Estabillo-Solacito, 52.5
- Lea Ann Curry, 52.25
- Robert Curry, 52.25
- Melinda Gustin, 52
- Kerin Putnam, 52
- Sheila Hodis, 51.75
- TaShika Lawson, 51.75
- Sandra Parrish, 51.5
- Denise Wilcox, 50.75
Get your green thumb going:
Gardening in Nevada classes return in February (Reno, NV)
With such mild winter weather, many of us are already getting that gardening itch. University of Nevada, Reno Extension is ready to help. Extension is kicking off its “Gardening in Nevada: The Bartley Ranch Series” weekly workshops in Reno next week on Feb. 3 to help both new and experienced gardeners hone their gardening skills.
Led by Extension and their certified Master Gardeners and offered in partnership with Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, these classes are free and run 6 – 8 p.m., every Tuesday, Feb. 3 through March 31, at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road in Reno.
“From those who are interested in vegetable gardening or growing flowers for bouquets, to those wanting to replace their lawns with other landscaping, these classes are great for anyone who wants to learn from experienced Master Gardeners, who live, grow and harvest in our northern Nevada area,” Rachel McClure, Master Gardener coordinator for Extension in Washoe County, said.
All classes are taught by certified Extension staff or Master Gardener volunteers. Classes are free, but the Master Gardeners ask those attending to consider bringing a canned food item for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and to register online for each class they plan to attend. Classes include:
Feb. 3: Seeds: Collect Them, Save Them, Grow Them, presented by Bryn Lapenta and Liz Morrow
Feb. 10: Vertebrate Pest Management, presented by Melody Hefner
Feb. 17: Spring Pruning of Woody Shrubs, presented by Sheri Elena Quinn and Linda Fulton
Feb. 24: The Cut Flower Garden, presented by Deborah Henderson
March 3: All About Tomatoes, presented by Jeff Curtis
March 10: Landscaping With Native and Adaptive Plants for Beauty and Pollinator Habitats, presented by Jill Strawder-Bubala
March 17: Container Gardening, presented by Deborah Whitehouse and Angela White
March 24: Alternatives to Front Yard Lawns, presented by Mark Humphreys
March 31: Successful Vegetable Gardening, presented by Randy Robison
Those with questions about the Gardening in Nevada workshops should email McClure. Persons planning to attend a session who may need special accommodations or assistance should email Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, or call him at 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.
Those with gardening questions may also email the Master Gardeners, call them at 775-784-4848 or visit the Master Gardener help desk at the Extension office in Reno at 4955 Energy Way, 10 a.m. – 2 pm., Tuesdays – Thursdays.
Registration
Upcoming Events Throughout the State
February
- February 10th - Slow Bird Walk (Clark, Las Vegas - Extension Botanic Gardens)
- February 10th - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - Vertebrate Pest Management (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- February 11th - Advanced Master Gardener Training: Answering Invasive Plant Questions from the Public (Virtual)
- February 16th - President's Day (Offices closed)
- February 17th - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - Spring Pruning of Woody Shrubs (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- February 18th - Advanced Master Gardener Training: Answering Invasive Plant Questions from the Public (Virtual)
- February 19th - Composting (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
- February 21st - Plant and Maintain Grapes (Clark, Las Vegas - Research Center and Demonstration Orchard)
- February 24th - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - The Cut Flower Garden (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- February 26th - Plant and Maintain Grapes (Clark, Las Vegas - Research Center and Demonstration Orchard)
- February 26th - National Pistachio Day
- February 27th - Houseplants 101 (Elko - Extension Elko County office)
- February 28th - Floral Design Day
March
- March - National Peanut Month
- March 3rd - Peach Blossom Day
- March 3rd - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - All About Tomatoes (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- March 5th - Daffodil Day
- March 10th - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - Landscaping with Native and Adaptive Plants for Beauty and Pollinator Habitats (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- March 11th - 2026 Garden Talks: Worm Farming (Carson City - Carriage House)
- March 12th - Plant a Flower Day
- March 17th - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - Container Gardening (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- March 19th - How to Propagate Plants (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
- March 21st-22nd - Douglas County Bee & Garden Seminar (Douglas - Douglas County Community and Senior Center, South Room)
- March 21st - National Flower Day
- March 21st - World Planting Day
- March 24th - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - Alternatives to Front Yard Lawns (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
- March 26th - National Spinach Day
- March 31st - Gardening in Nevada: Bartley Ranch Series - Successful Vegetable Gardening (Washoe - Historic Bartley Ranch)
April
- April - National Volunteer Month / National Gardening Month / Earth Month / Keep America Beautiful Month / National Native Plant Month
- April 5th - National Dandelion Day
- April 6th - California Poppy Day
- April 8th - 2026 Garden Talks: Drip Irrigation (Carson City - Carriage House)
- April 13th - Plant Appreciation Day
- April 14th - National Gardening Day
- April 16th - Rose Care (Clark, Las Vegas - Springs Preserve)
- April 18th-26th - National Park Week
- April 19th - National Garlic Day
- April 22nd - Earth Day
- April 24th - Arbor Day
- April 29th - Peace Rose Day
May
- May 1st - May Day / International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day
- May 2nd - National Herb Day
- May 3rd-9th - National Herb Week
- May 8th - National Public Gardens Day
- May 8th - Iris Day
- May 9th - Bird Day
- May 13th - Tulip Day
- May 13th - Hardy Succulents (Carson City - Carson City Community Garden)
- May 15th - Bring Flowers to Someone Day
- May 15th - Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale (Washoe - Extension Washoe Office)
- May 16th - Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale (Washoe - Extension Washoe Office)
- May 16th - Perennial Plant Sale 2026 (Douglas - TNC: River Fork Ran)
- May 16th - Love a Tree Day
- May 18th-24th - National African Violet Week
- May 19th - Plant Something Day
- May 20th - Flower Day
- May 20th - Pick a Strawberry Day
- May 29th - Composting Day
- May 30th - Water a Flower Day
June
- June - National Pollinator Month
- June 5th - World Environment Day
- June 6th - National Gardening Exercise Day
- June 7th - 13th - National Gardening Week
- June 10th - 2026 Garden Talks: Small Spaces, Big Harvest (Carson City - Carson City Community Garden)
- June 12th - Red Rose Day
- June 13th - Weed Your Garden Day
- June 15th-21st - National Pollinator Week
- June 16th - Fresh Veggies Day
Don't see your event on the calendar? Reach out to your local coordinator to make sure it is added to our online calendar of events!
All Events
