UC Master Gardener Program of Ventura County

What a buzz-worthy day! 🐞🦋🐝

We had an amazing time at the Oxnard Insect Festival on June 6 at Plaza Park. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our educational booth—we loved meeting so many curious visitors, sharing information, and celebrating the fascinating world of insects with our community.

We’re grateful to everyone who came out and made the event such a success!



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Photo by VC Master Gardener GinaMarie McCroskey

Photo 1 Description: Volunteers at an educational booth engage with children and families during the Oxnard Insect Festival at Plaza Park. Kids gather around a table displaying photos and information about native bees and flowers, while volunteers wearing bee-themed headbands answer questions and share information about pollinators. Colorful festival tents and visitors fill the background.

Photo 2 Description: Visitors stop at a UC Master Gardener Program booth during the Oxnard Insect Festival at Plaza Park. A volunteer wearing a bee-themed headband talks with a young girl and her family while educational displays highlight California’s native bees and flowers. A large informational sign about pollinators stands beside the booth as festivalgoers browse exhibits in the background.

Photo 3 Description: Visitors stop at a UC Master Gardener Program booth during the Oxnard Insect Festival at Plaza Park. A volunteer wearing a blue shirt talks with two young girls while educational displays highlight California’s native bees and flowers.

A timely topic, and we hope everyone is keeping safe in the Sandy Fire.

As wildfire season continues to ramp up, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources is hosting a free webinar to help Californians find reliable, real-time fire information.

The May 21 “Fire Savvy” webinar will feature wildfire experts from Watch Duty, The Lookout and Weather West discussing how they track fires, verify information and keep the public informed during emergencies.

The virtual event runs from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 21 and is free to attend.

Register here: https://bit.ly/FireSavvyWebinar

Photo description: A person outdoors holds a smartphone displaying the wildfire tracking map app Watch Duty while pointing at fire icons on the screen. The person is wearing a smartwatch and standing near a sidewalk with trees and bushes in the background.

As comes to a close, we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the Ventura County Master Gardener program—and programs across California.

It’s been inspiring to read the many thoughtful comments about why this program matters. From Ventura County and beyond, your words highlight the real impact of sharing research-based gardening knowledge in our communities.

Thank you for being part of this effort. If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, take a moment to read why others have chosen to support this work this Giving Day—and what makes the Master Gardener program so special.

If you still would like to donate, go to https://give.ucanr.edu

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“Supporting the BEST volunteers in Ventura County!” Jill T.

"I appreciate all the knowledge from classes the Master Gardeners of Ventura County give to the community. It’s priceless and allows us to gather while learning with our neighbors.” Paula C.

"I know every person involved this program in Ventura County and beyond puts their heart into this program." -Michele W.

“The master gardener program makes life better and provides education on gardening. Stop and smell the roses. Get outside.” Stuart D.

“I am inspired to support the Master Gardener program because of its dedication to education, sustainability, and community outreach. I appreciate the positive difference the program makes in helping people learn to grow and care for the environment.” The program helps us build a stronger, more resilient community through the universal language of plants.” Buddy K.

“MGs do so much good for the community.” Nora K.

“Every Master Gardener I’ve ever met is generous of spirit and time, caring, dedicated and passionate about the environment.” Jo Ann G.

“Plants are beautiful. We need to keep the knowledge alive.” Don K.

“I hope more people will experience the joys of gardening.” Cheryl Y.

“This work is needed more than ever.” Antonia T.

“Master Gardeners are passionate about gardening but more importantly, they are also committed to bring their knowledge and the joy of plants to the community.” Kathleen M.

“The Master Gardeners do incredible work and I want to support them.” Simone P.

“Gratitude for tremendous learning opportunities.” Kathleen J.

“The success of home gardeners can have a hug positive impact on our environment and Master Gardeners are an excellent way to provide them with education and assistance.” Beth W.

"The Master Gardeners are the most amazing ambassadors and the program couldn't run without these volunteers. Tiffany D.

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Photo description: A Giving Day logo in white text over a blue box from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources sits in front of a picture of orange California poppies and green foliage.

Last chance to help us grow! 🌻

A quick reminder that our fundraising campaign for GIVING DAY ends at noon today.

Here is the link: https://give.ucanr.edu/forms/Ventura-MG

Every single donation is a seed that grows to support our community and local home gardeners to be healthier and more resilient!

Donate to support:

-Free gardening classes in libraries and community events

-Water-wise gardening and wildfire preparedness education

-Pollinator and California native plant garden design

-Hands-on workshops that teach real skills you will use

-Science-based gardening resources to help you save money and time

-Soil, seeds, and tools we need to support our 10 demo gardens

If you’ve been meaning to give, there’s still time. We would be so grateful for your support.

Thank you for helping us grow stronger gardens and communities across Ventura County!



Photo description: Master Gardener Terry Garman stands beside a table displaying hydroponic growing examples in an advertisement with a blue background promoting UC ANR Giving Day, highlighting Ventura County Master Gardeners and their more than 100 free community classes each year.

Today is ! From noon today (May 14) to noon Friday, May 15.
Consider donating to our program, even a little. Here's why:

Did you know our volunteers provide more than 100 free classes every year?
From growing tomatoes and caring for fruit trees to creating pollinator habitats, conserving water, and gardening with California native plants, our volunteers help nearly 8,000 Ventura County residents grow more successfully and sustainably.
When you support the UC Master Gardeners of Ventura County, you help fund:
🌱 Free gardening classes in libraries and at community events

💧 Water-wise gardening and wildfire preparedness education

🐝 Pollinator and California native plant home garden design

🥕 Hands-on workshops that teach real skills you can use at home

📚 Science-based gardening resources to help you save money and time

🥬 Soil, seeds, and tools we need to support our ten demonstration gardens

Every class, workshop, and outreach event is powered by trained volunteers.

We work hard! Our volunteers contribute an average of 72 hours per year. They love to help you grow!🌻

If you’ve ever learned something from a UC Master Gardener, attended one of our classes, visited a demonstration garden, or received help with a gardening question from our Help Desk, we hope you’ll consider supporting our program.

To donate: https://give.ucanr.edu/forms/Ventura-MG



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Photo credit: UC Master Gardener Program of Orange County

Photo description: A volunteers wearing glasses and a green UC Master Gardener apron smiles while holding a tray of leafy lettuce seedlings with long roots exposed above a water bin at an outdoor booth. A banner behind her reads UC Master Gardener Program, and a blue panel on the left promotes University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Giving Day, with the message Promoting healthy people and communities and dates May 14–15 from noon to noon.

Grow knowledge. Grow community. Grow impact.

Join us tomorrow for UC ANR ! From noon May 13 to noon May 14, your support helps us continue our work.
Give to the UC Master Gardener Program of Ventura County and help bring trusted, research-based gardening resources to communities across the county.

More info: https://give.ucanr.edu/pages/uc-master-gardener-program (the link to donate for Ventura County will be available at noon on May 13).



Photo credit: Photo credit: UC Master Gardeners of Butte
Photo description:
A UC Master Gardener volunteer stands at an outdoor table under trees, helping four young children explore vegetables and gardening materials. The children, seen from behind, gather closely as the volunteer demonstrates an activity. A blue panel on the right reads “Promoting healthy people and communities” and advertises UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Giving Day, May 14–15, noon to noon.

Stay connected with the latest in local gardening by subscribing to Let’s Get Growing, the monthly newsletter from the UC Master Gardeners of Ventura County.

Each issue features updates on upcoming classes and events, practical gardening tips from local experts, educational blog posts, volunteer spotlights, and a monthly checklist to keep your garden on track.

Sign up here: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-ventura-county (Scroll down on this page to the newsletter signup link)



Photo used on the link shows an orange, black and white monarch butterfly perched on a purple flowering plant against a green background. Photo courtesy of the UC Master Gardeners of Ventura County.

UC Master Gardeners of Ventura County Photo above credit: PixabayWelcome to the UC Master Gardeners of Ventura CountyThe Master Gardener Program is a national program chartered through the United States Department of Agriculture, sponsored locally by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) of Ventura County, and the Un...

Congratulations to the Ventura County Master Gardeners Class of 2026! Their hard work and dedication were celebrated April 22 at a graduation ceremony held at the Oxnard Historic Farm Park & Museum.

This remarkable group has put in countless hours to reach this milestone, and their achievement is something to truly be proud of.



Photo by VC Master Gardener Lee Rosenboom

Photo Description: A group of about 30 people smiles for a photo at the Ventura County Master Gardeners graduation. Held on April 22 at the Oxnard Historic Farm Park, several graduates hold certificates and blue folders in front of historic brick and wood buildings.

Happy Earth Day 🌎
Every day, UC Master Gardener volunteers are working in communities across California to protect our environment and help it thrive.

From planting pollinator-friendly gardens and conserving water, to teaching sustainable gardening practices and helping people grow their own food, their work adds up to real impact.

This Earth Day, we celebrate the small actions that grow into lasting change.
Want to make a difference in your own space? Start with your garden. We’re here to help.


Photo credit: UC Regents
Photo description: Sunlit landscape of rolling green hills and oak trees with mountains in the background. Blue text overlay reads “Happy Earth Day.”

Happy Earth Day 🌎

Every day, UC Master Gardener volunteers are working in communities across California to protect our environment and help it thrive.

From planting pollinator-friendly gardens and conserving water, to teaching sustainable gardening practices and helping people grow their own food, their work adds up to real impact.

This Earth Day, we celebrate the small actions that grow into lasting change.

Want to make a difference in your own space? Start with your garden. We’re here to help.



Photo credit: UC Regents
Photo description: Sunlit landscape of rolling green hills and oak trees with mountains in the background. Blue text overlay reads “Happy Earth Day.”

“A water lily is born underneath the water… reaching up through the dark… where it then blooms in the sunshine.” — C. JoyBell C.

This reflects inner transformation and becoming who we truly are. Like the water lily, growth begins unseen in difficult or unclear places. It rises slowly toward light, and when it blooms, it reveals what was always there.

According to Master Gardener resources, white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) is a native aquatic plant with floating round leaves and fragrant white flowers that grow in still or slow-moving freshwater ponds.

UC Master Gardener Program of El Dorado County growing tips for water lilies: https://tinyurl.com/55cpx2

Photo by Ventura County Master Gardener Michele Willer-Allred

Photo description: A creamy-yellow water lily blooms on dark water, reflecting its petals next to mottled orange and green lily pads.