Western Sierra Foothills Garden Guide

The updated 2020 edition of the Master Gardeners of Nevada County Western Sierra Foothills Garden Guide is available!

In addition to our local vendors, to whom we are very grateful, the Garden Guides are/will be available for sale at our workshops, at many upcoming events, and from our Vet's Hall office (255 so. Auburn St. in Grass Valley) on Tuesdays between 9am and noon, when Master Gardeners are on the Hotline. (Cash or check only, please.)

Many thanks to the following local nurseries for their support in selling The Western Sierra Foothills Garden Guide: A to Z Nursery, Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply, Weiss Brothers Nursery, B&C Nursery, all in Grass Valley, and from New Life Nursery in Penn Valley.

As in previous editions, the 2020 gardening guide provides cultural tips and an abundance of gardening information relevant to the Sierra foothills. New and updated sections on growing native plants, container gardening, composting and vermicomposting have been added to the content. The 2020 edition will also provide lists of plants that grow well in our area, as well as expanded information about integrated pest management.

Back in 1985, local Master Gardeners saw the need for a publication to disseminate gardening information to community home gardeners, specifically in the Sierra foothills. Many calls had been received asking about growing vegetables in this area. At that time the Master Gardeners decided to put together a 28-page booklet with climate charts, growing dates and cultural hints for growing vegetables locally. In 1990 it was decided to expand the booklet into a full-fledged gardening book, just for the western Nevada County foothills. Chapters were added and information on growing vegetables was expanded.

From 2002 to 2010, the book continued to be developed and updated; chapters were added and content further researched. The 2010 edition, the Western Nevada County Gardening Guide was published with over 25 sections of subject matter, covering many aspects of home gardening.

With the updated Western Sierra Foothills Garden Guide as a resource, gardeners in the Sierra foothills will become more confident and successful gardening in the challenging conditions that are unique to our local areas.