Nevada Master Gardener Statewide Newsletter (2026-04)

In this edition

• Happy National Volunteer and Gardening Month!
• Celebrating Carol Sandmeier: A Legacy of Community Gardening
• Statewide Master Gardener Volunteer Meeting Recap and Evaluation
• Cultivating Healthy Plants Webinar Series
• Grow Your Own, Nevada!
• Program Recap: Laughlin Library
• Carson City: Free In-Person Gardening Classes for Northern Nevada Gardeners
• Save the Dates! Upcoming Master Gardener Plant Sales

Stay up to date on all our upcoming events by visiting our Events website!

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Happy National Volunteer and Gardening Month!

This month is about celebrating YOU!

April is a special time as we celebrate both National Volunteer Month and National Gardening Month, such a perfect pairing that highlights the heart of what Master Gardener volunteers do.

Across Nevada, Master Gardener volunteers are not only growing plants, but growing knowledge, connection, and resilience in their communities. Whether you’re answering questions at the Help Desk, leading workshops, supporting demonstration gardens, or inspiring the next generation of gardeners, your time and expertise make a meaningful difference.

This month is a reminder that every hour you give and every seed you plant contributes to a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant Nevada.

Thank you for the passion, dedication, and impact you bring to the program every day!

Celebrating Carol Sandmeier: A Legacy of Community Gardening

from the desk of Jessica Gardner, Horticulture Outreach Coordinator, Douglas County

As the community bids farewell to Carol Sandmeier, a long-time UNR Extension Master Gardener, her impact on local gardening and community spirit will be fondly remembered. Carol has been a driving force behind several key initiatives that have enriched the lives of residents and transformed our green spaces.

Carol's journey began with the establishment of Heritage Park Gardens, a vibrant community garden that has become a gathering place for families and gardening enthusiasts. Under her guidance, the garden flourished, offering educational programs and hands-on gardening experiences that empowered residents to cultivate their own green thumbs.

In addition to Heritage Park, Carol played a crucial role in the rejuvenation of Gertrude's Garden at the historic Dangberg Home Ranch. Her dedication to preserving and enhancing this historical site has not only beautified the area but has also provided a deeper connection to our local history and heritage.

Carol's commitment to community extends beyond gardening. She has actively participated in numerous service projects, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among residents. Her passion for nurturing both plants and people has left an indelible mark on our community.

As she moves on to new adventures, Carol Sandmeier leaves behind a legacy of growth, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. Her contributions will continue to inspire future generations of gardeners and community leaders. Thank you, Carol, for all you have done!

Statewide Master Gardener Meeting Recap and Evaluation

Thank you so much for joining us for our first statewide Master Gardener meeting! I know we covered a lot of data, but I hope you also had fun interacting with volunteers around the state during our breakout session.

Please let us know what you thought of the meeting and what you'd like to see in the future!

Reminder: Master Gardeners can count the meeting as two hours of continuing education if they participated in the meeting.

Evaluation

Master Gardeners in the News!

Washoe County Master Gardeners have secured a monthly news segment with KOLO called "In the Garden".

The warmer weather has a lot of people eager to get into the garden. While it may be too soon to put starters outside, the UNR Extension Master Gardeners join us in studio with tips on what you can do now to prepare.

Watch the full segment

Extension at Lake Tahoe

Join us for a fun and informative five-part educational series on Wednesday evenings in April from 6-8 p.m., at the Prim Library, 999 Tahoe Blvd, University of Nevada, Reno - Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, NV. Enjoy stunning campus views while learning about key topics that impact your home and community.

Class Schedule (Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.)

April 1st: Container Gardening @ Higher Elevation
April 8th: Wildfire Preparedness Workshop
April 15th: Fire Adapted Landscaping
April 22nd: Fire Adapted Communities: How We Work Together to Increase Wildfire Resilience
April 29th: Gardening with Native & Adaptive Plants for Higher Elevations

Location: University of Nevada, Reno - Lake Tahoe (Prim Library), 999 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV

Garden/landscape specific classes will count for two hours of continuing education for Master Gardener volunteers if attending.

Learn more about panels

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

Herbicide Residues around the Home and Garden

Date: Thursday, April 26th, 12 pm (Mountain Time), 11 am (Pacific Time)

Speaker: Dr. Cecil Tharp is the Pesticide Education Specialist for Montana State University Extension. As the Pesticide Education Specialist, he coordinates the certification and training of Montana private applicators, and assists in supporting homeowners and commercial pesticide applicators in using pesticides effectively and safely. 

Description: Plants with twisted and curled leaves often means damage from herbicide residues. This 1-hour webinar will cover some of the most common pesticide culprits, how they are transported to the home and garden, how to avoid contaminated soil amendments, and identifying and fixing an existing issue.

Registration: Free, but required; click here to register. 

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.

Culivating Healthy Plants classes will count for one hour of continuing education for Master Gardener volunteers if attending.

Learn more about panels

Grow Your Own, Nevada!

Learn the secrets of high-desert gardening

Extension is offering eight “Grow Your Own, Nevada!” virtual classes in spring statewide to help Nevadans who want to get on a path to more sustainable, local, healthy living by growing and preserving more of their own food.

Topics are chosen based on recommendations from the community and previous participants. Every Grow Your Own, Nevada! class series is a bit different, providing information for gardeners at all levels.

The workshops will provide gardeners and those interested in growing healthy foods with a “back-to-the-basics” guide to great harvests in Nevada.

2026 class schedule:

April 7th - Gardening on a Budget with Wendy Hanson Mazet

Have you thought about growing a garden but find the thought a little daunting and possibly too expensive? In this class, you'll learn the basics of vegetable gardening, from prioritizing the location, options for growing (from in-ground to pot), seasons and growing days, to which vegetables reap the most reward for you and your family to grow.

April 9th - Soil Basics and Practical Application with Heidi Kratsch

A healthy garden begins with healthy soil. In this session, you will learn the principles of soil building. By applying these principles, you will notice your soil is better able to hold water and nutrients. Your crops will develop longer, stronger roots, produce better yields, and be less susceptible to attack by insects and diseases.

April 14th - Basics of Container Gardening with Rachel McClure

Thinking inside the box! How to grow flowers and veggies in containers for small space utilization, plant diversity, themed gardens and more. This is a basic container gardening discussion that takes you through conceptualization, harvest and off-season storage.

April 16th - Seed Saving with Heidi Kratsch

Seeds from plants grown in your garden produce plants that are adapted to our soil and climate. Saving seeds from your garden helps protect your favorite vegetable varieties and saves you money. Learn tips about which vegetables produce the best seeds and techniques for collecting and handling saved seeds.

April 21st - Fruit Tree Insects with Megan Andrews

Have you noticed some insects on your fruit tree? Many insects are hard to see in fruit trees we will talk about the signs and symptoms of insect damage in fruit trees. Join us to discuss the most common fruit tree pests and their control methods for small home orchards.

April 23rd - Fruit Tree Pruning with Wendy Hanson Mazet

From young to old, proper pruning can shape the future of a fruit tree. Knowing the type of tree you have, your environment, and what your expectations are will guide you. We will touch on selection and why fruit trees do not produce, answering some of the most common questions for fruit tree growers.

April 28th - Growing Grapes in the State of Nevada with Don White

In this class we will discuss the difference between wine grapes and table grapes, which varieties grow best in the various climate zones within the state, why you want to plant grapes, where to get the best vines to plant, how to plan the planting areas, how to propagate, layout and plant new vines, how and when to trellis and prune your vines, learn their growing life cycle and the growing seasons in different climate zones, how to feed and care for your vines, pests and disease controls.

April 30th - Bee Identification and Conservation with Carrie Jensen

Discover the buzzing world of Nevada’s bees! This engaging program reveals why bees are essential pollinators, how to tell them apart from wasps and other insects, and the incredible diversity of species living right here in Nevada. Participants will also pick up simple, impactful ways to support bees at home—like creating pollinator friendly gardens and reducing pesticide use. A perfect blend of science, curiosity, and hands on conservation inspiration.

Each session counts as two hours of continuing education for Master Gardener volunteers if attending.

Learn more and register for classes

Program Recap: Laughlin Library Presentation

ML Robinson, Assistant Professor/State Horticulture Specialist, visited the Laughlin Library to present on Native and Native Like Plants. He was joined by Master Gardeners and members of the community!

Learn more about panels

Carson City: Free In-Person Gardening Classes for Northern Nevada Gardeners

Join the University of Nevada, Reno Extension Carson City Master Gardeners for a series of engaging, hands-on gardening classes!

These sessions are perfect for anyone interested in learning more about gardening in our region.

When: Second Wednesday of each month, March through September from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Where: Carson City Community Garden, 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV

Note: April session will be held at the Carriage House, 1207 N Carson Street, Carson City, NV

Topics:

• April 8: Drip Irrigation
• May 13: Hardy Succulents
• June 10: Small Spaces, Big Harvest
• July 8: Clematis
• August 12: Saving Seeds
• September 9: Winter Flowering Shrubs/Plants

All sessions are free and open to the public. Come grow with us!

Each session counts as one hour of continuing education for Master Gardener volunteers if attending.

Save the Dates! Upcoming Master Gardener Plant Sales

May is the month of plant sales for several of our Master Gardener programs!

Friday, May 15th

Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale

Where: 4955 Energy Way, NV (Washoe, Extension Washoe County Office)

When: 2 - 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 16th

Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale

Where: 4955 Energy Way, NV (Washoe, Extension Washoe County Office)

When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Saturday, May 16th

Annual Perennial Plant Sale

Where: 381 Genoa Ln, Minden, NV (Douglas, TNC: River Fork Ranch)

When: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Get a head start and/or one-on-one guidance and shop with a Master Gardener on May 15th. Tickets are $25!

Saturday, May 30th

2nd Annual Perennial Plant Sale

Where: 1044 Beverly Drive, Carson City, NV (Carson City, Carson City Community Garden)

When: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

All proceeds of the Master Gardener plant sales go towards the county Master Gardener program to help maintain projects and programming.