Mesa Public Library is partnering with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to offer a series of free master gardener classes during January and February at Red Mountain Branch, 635 N. Power Road.
Master Gardening: What is a Master Gardener?
Tuesday, Jan. 8. 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 5. 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 pm.
Learn about the University of Arizona Master Gardener Volunteer Program, the plethora of resources the program has made available to you as a gardener, how to request help with plant or pest problems and how to be trained and certified as a master gardener yourself!
Master Gardening: Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, Jan. 12. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Gardening in the desert isn't always easy, but it is entirely possible to be harvesting something from your garden every week of the year in Arizona! Arizona Master Gardener Laura Ward will talk about the University of Arizona desert gardening calendar, her experiences in the U of A demo garden and how to kick your backyard garden up a few notches.
Master Gardening: Composting
Saturday, Jan. 26. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Make kitchen scraps into black gold for your garden or container plants. We'll talk about how to use a composting container and start composting your kitchen scraps, leaves and other inputs to make great compost.
Master Gardening: Citrus
Saturday, Feb. 9. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
This is a favorite topic in the valley. We will discuss the proper care, irrigation, fertilization and pruning for healthy citrus trees. We will also discuss different citrus fruit types and the citrus harvesting calendar.
Master Gardening: Plant Propagation and Pruning
Saturday, Feb. 23. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Leave the hedge trimmers in the shed because we'll discuss how keep plants looking natural as well as tidy with natural pruning. We will also talk about propagating plants, from both seeds and cuttings.
Arizona Master Gardeners are university-trained volunteers who serve as community educators. They work with the University of Arizona providing research based information on environmentally responsible gardening and landscaping to the public. After completing a semester long course, concentrating on gardening and the environment, Master Gardeners Associates volunteer to serve their communities.
Mesa has Seed Libraries at its Main Library, 64 E. First St., and at Red Mountain Branch. The Seed Library allows library card holders to check out three seed packets per month for free. Choose from a wide variety of seeds for edible plants and herbs, bring your seeds home to grow and save the seeds to donate back to the library. Seed varieties are rotated with the seasons and are suitable to local growing conditions.
The Seed Library is open during regular library hours. Both locations of our Seed Libraries are made possible through a partnership with Garden Pool, a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization for sustainable food production research and education.