Pima County Master Gardeners

The Secret Life of Plants – A Three-Part Series - Session 2:
"The Life of Plants: How They Reproduce”

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Join us for a fascinating journey into the world of plants! This three-part series of Science Short Takes will explore how plants came to shape life on Earth, the incredible ways they reproduce and spread, and the dynamic lifecycles and partnerships that sustain ecosystems across the globe and right here in the Sonoran Desert.

Each session highlights a different aspect of plant life—from ancient origins to modern-day mutualisms—offering a deeper understanding of the green world all around us. Whether you're a curious learner, gardener, or nature enthusiast, you'll walk away with new insights into the vital and complex roles plants play in our world. Learn about the fascinating reproductive strategies of plants from spores to seeds, wind to pollinators, and cloning to complex flower mechanisms.

This Science Short Talk reveals how plants ensure survival across generations using ingenious methods, often relying on insects, birds, bats, and even humans to carry out their reproductive missions.

Register for this FREE Zoom class [URL] - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/89ijGnN2SGK_Hwas6yABHw #/registration

Seeing this on Instagram? Click on the class calendar link in our bio to see offerings and register.

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The Pima County Master Gardeners offer home garden visits to help you address your most challenging problems.
For individual homeowners, we charge $80 for a 1.5-hour visit (an additional $25 will be added for every half hour if the visit takes longer than that). We will come out, answer questions, and offer our insights.

*We will not do any garden work; we do not offer that service.
We accept cash or checks made payable to PCCE.
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Los Pima County Master Gardeners ofrecen visitas al jardín en casa para ayudarle a abordar sus problemas más desafiantes.
Para los propietarios individuales, cobramos $80 por una visita de 1,5 horas (se agregarán $25 adicionales por cada media hora si la visita toma más tiempo que eso). Saldremos, responderemos preguntas y ofreceremos nuestras ideas.

*No vamos a hacer ningún trabajo de jardín; no ofrecemos ese servicio.*
Aceptamos efectivo o cheques pagaderos a PCCE.
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To request an consulation - https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/pima-county-master-gardeners/consultation-services

Haga clic aquí para programar una consulta a domicilio - https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/pima-county-master-gardeners/consultation-services

Are you seeing this on Instagram? Click on the main extension link in our bio to request a consultation.

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Figs!

Three of our 12 demo gardens contributed more than 45 pounds of figs and 5 pounds of homemade fig jam to the UA Campus Pantry this week. Figs can be enjoyed fresh off the trees, in jams, and can be dehydrated to enjoy year-round.

To learn more about growing figs in the low desert, visit this link [URL] -https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2024-08/az1636-2014.pdf

Are you seeing this on Instagram? Click on the main extension link in our bio and type az1636 in the search field to pull up the pdf.

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It's summertime!! 🌞😎

Our In-Person Library Talks take a break over the summer months while we rehydrate and regroup for new talks in September.

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El primer viernes de cada mes: Insectos Beneficiosos
Viernes de Augusto 7, 2026 en 5:00 pm

Las mariquitas son icónicas, pero son solo una parte del vibrante tapiz de insectos beneficiosos que habitan nuestros jardines de Tucson.
Desde avispas parasitoides hasta elegantes moscas sírfidas, existe un fascinante mundo de aliados que protegen tus plantas. Nos enfocaremos en su identificación, sus características distintivas y presas preferidas, así como en estrategias prácticas para invitar a estos aliados a tu plan de manejo integrado de plagas.

Regístrate para la clase gratuita por Zoom: [URL] - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/fu4jE7IgTYi2yY6Y-aVQaQ #/registration

¿Estás viendo esto en Instagram? Haz clic en el calendario de clases de nuestra biografía para ver la oferta y registrarte.

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Cactus & Succulents
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 3:00 pm

Perfect for our desert climate, cacti and succulents offer an impressive array of drought-tolerant options for your home garden. Whether you're planting in-ground or in containers, there are many stunning varieties to choose from.

Join us to discover why these resilient plants thrive in our environment and learn expert tips from a Master Gardener on how to successfully grow them.

Register for this FREE Zoom class here [URL] - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Jx954h2LSh6eCXWco42YPA #/registration

Seeing this on Instagram? Click on the class calendar in our bio to see offerings and register.

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As August rolls in, so do the melons.

If you’re growing melons in your garden this year, it’s about time to start enjoying the sweet harvest. These sugary cucurbits come in all shapes and sizes. Melons originated in southwest Asia (Iran and India), where the weather is hot, so growing in the desert is not a problem.

Knowing when they’re ready to harvest can be. Your grandma probably told you to thump it and listen for that telltale thud sound, or maybe she used the sniff test. We don’t want to contradict your sweet grandma, but some growers have come up with a few tried and true ways to harvest melons at just the right time.

1. Watermelons will develop a light-yellow color, called a ground spot or field spot, on the side resting on the ground. You can also keep an eye on the little curls near the stem. They’ll begin to turn brown and dry when ripening occurs.
2. Honeydews, crenshaws, and casabas begin to turn a golden color.
3. Muskmelons will reach what is called “full slip” when ripe because they slip right off the plant when ready. Apply gentle pressure to the side of the stem with your thumb. If it’s ready, it will give way.
4. You can also try pushing on the end opposite the stem. If the melon feels a bit softer than the stem end, it’s probably ready to pick.

There are sure to be differing opinions about when a melon is ready to harvest. What are your go to methods for the perfect melon?

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NEW! Short Take: Highlighting Native Plants: Fairy Duster, Calliandra eriophylla
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Discover the beauty and resilience of Calliandra eriophylla, commonly known as Fairy Duster, one of the Sonoran Desert's most beloved native shrubs.
Learn how this drought-tolerant plant provides vibrant spring blooms, attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators, and thrives with minimal care in desert landscapes.

We'll discuss its natural habitat, growing requirements, landscaping uses, and tips for incorporating this graceful native into a wildlife-friendly garden.

Register for this FREE Zoom class here [URL] - https://arizona.zoom.us/meeting/register/w2oGM3DaQ2uK_WU4-qnWgA #/registration

Seeing this on Instagram? Click on the class calendar link in our bio to see offerings and register.

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We’ve been highlighting houseplants to fit your indoor space, but what about vegetable or herbs if you don’t have any outdoor space?

Indoor gardening is an option that can allow you to grow herbs on a sunny windowsill, houseplants with varying light needs, or maybe just a few sprouts to top off simple meals. If you choose to grow sprouts, be sure to use only seeds for that purpose, available at health food and grocery stores.

There are a few small varieties of vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, carrots, radishes, and greens that can be grown in a small pot inside. You may need to provide some supplemental light (T5 or T8 grow lights) for these plants. Look for small-fruited varieties of tomatoes (sweet cherry or yellow pear) and peppers, and small rooting carrots (Little Finger) and radishes (Cherry Belle).

Follow the link below to our website to get started on a container garden. Once there, click on the publications tab and search:
AZ1713 Container Gardening In The Southwest Desert.
AZ1922 Growing Herbs for the Health of IT AZ1922 is also a helpful publication available to you.
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs

If you have questions, please reach out to the Pima County Extension Office, where our master gardeners are happy to help. Link in profile.

We sure are fortunate here in Tucson to garden year-round. Let’s get out there and plant!

Happy gardening!

Short Take: What to Do in the Garden This Month
Monday, August 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Every month brings new opportunities in the garden and because gardening in the Sonoran Desert is so unique, our timing for best practice activities is different from the rest of the country.

This short take focuses on the recommended activities to undertake in the garden during the month. If you feel overwhelmed with the decision making of what to do next – this is the short take for you!

Register for this FREE Zoom class [URL] - https://arizona.zoom.us/meeting/register/gJIQAQc8Tnmv8AQSu3EenQ #/registration

Are you seeing this on Instagram? Click on the class calendar link in our bio to see offerings and register.

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