Welcome to the San Mateo Arboretum Society
SMAS is a “member and volunteer powered” organization dedicated to the preservation of San Mateo’s rich horticultural heritage. Our headquarters and most of our activities are focused around the Kohl Pump House area in Central Park.
Our mission is horticultural education and our passion is connecting people and plants to enhance the community.
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Don't Forget All Those You Call Mom.
A Special Thanks Goes To Backblaze!
To celebrate Earth Day volunteers from Backblaze arrived at Central Park to tend to the the newly refurbished Sundial Garden which is located at the park entrance at 9th and Palm.
Backblaze has also volunteered to help mulch the Central Park Rose Garden with 10 yards of material. SMAS depends on the work of our volunteers and volunteers from organization like Backblaze to keep the gardens SMAS tends in Central Park beautiful for all to enjoy.
2022 INFORMATION ON THE CLASSES & EVENTS PAGE
SUNDAY - May 1, 2022
Pruning Camellias in Central Park
CLASSES & EVENT
NEW CLASS DESCRIPTIONS FOR JULY 10th AND SEPTEMBER 11th
A preview of all the 2022 classes and workshops has been posted on the
CLASSES page.
NEW CLASS DESCRIPTIONS FOR JULY 10th AND SEPTEMBER 11th
A preview of all the 2022 classes and workshops has been posted on the
CLASSES page.
SEMINARS ARE ON ZOOM!
The San Mateo Arboretum Society (SMAS) is in full swing with their seminars and workshops. The format will be web-based, NOT at the SMAS Pumphouse. You can sign-up on this website and several days before an event you will receive an E-mail with the link, meeting ID, and password information.
SMAS is now presenting the recording from the ZOOM Seminars and Workshops. Click Here to go the page where you will find the links to the recordings.
NEWS FROM THE GREENHOUSE
SUMMER HOURS ARE IN EFFECT:
March through November: Saturday & Sunday 11:00am to 2:00pm
Access: Access to the Nursery/Greenhouse is through the North Gate (5th Avenue side of the property).
SMAS accepts donations of plants and pots.
However, SMAS no longer accepts chemicals such as synthetic fertilizers or pest insecticides. SMAS has been using organic materials for a few years. You can take to these items to the San Mateo County Toxic Waste Drop Off, 32 Tower Road. You must have an appointment. They are open Thursday, Friday, Saturday only.
However, SMAS no longer accepts chemicals such as synthetic fertilizers or pest insecticides. SMAS has been using organic materials for a few years. You can take to these items to the San Mateo County Toxic Waste Drop Off, 32 Tower Road. You must have an appointment. They are open Thursday, Friday, Saturday only.
NEWS FROM THE MASTER GARDENERS
Master Gardener Plant Clinics will be back at SMAS Starting March 6th
The Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. You bring samples of your problem plants for better diagnosis. If you suspect insect damage, try to include some of the insects so they can be correctly identified.
http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/plant-clinics/
Their website is: https://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu
http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/plant-clinics/
Their website is: https://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu
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Thank you to MC, professional graphic designer (and fun loving gardener) for sharing her talent with us on our volunteer flyer. Creativity and a green thumb, how can you go wrong? Contact number is 650-596-0596
MOVING FORWARD...
The Pumphouse Renovation has been completed! Through our fundraising SMAS was able to refresh the building with new floors, fresh paint, complete modern kitchen, functional window coverings, ceiling fans and lighting, an AV System, and more. This was a labor of love for the organization and commitment to the City of San Mateo, in particular the Parks and Rec Department.
As we move forward, our fundraising goal is to "refresh" the SMAS Greenhouses. Our volunteers are providing amazing plants and show them in 60+ year old buildings. Just imagine what could be possible with updated watering, allocation of space, and more.
Check back to learn about our plans and how you might help.
As we move forward, our fundraising goal is to "refresh" the SMAS Greenhouses. Our volunteers are providing amazing plants and show them in 60+ year old buildings. Just imagine what could be possible with updated watering, allocation of space, and more.
Check back to learn about our plans and how you might help.
NEW at SMAS
A portion of the gardens around the historic Kohl Pumphouse are being renovated by several of our amazing volunteers! The area just south of the greenhouses is being renovated and will hold a Demo Shade Garden. The volunteers will propagate the plants and will make them available in the nursery for sale.
The two Demo Gardens, Sun and Shade, provide visitors with visual ideas for their own gardens. Be sure to visit this summer! |
COVID 19 UPDATE, 2020
The SMAS Board has re-evaluated access days to the Greenhouse and Nursery.
Still with the dynamic nature of the situation, the change to the SMAS policy is:
The SMAS Board is following the guidelines suggested by the City of San Mateo.
Still with the dynamic nature of the situation, the change to the SMAS policy is:
- Effective December 5, the nursery is open on Saturdays and Sundays 11-2 weather permitting
- The greenhouses are NOT open HOWEVER access to the Greenhouses at this time is limited to one person at a time
- All visitors MUST wear masks
- Number of visitors allowed inside the gates will be limited and monitored by a SMAS volunteer
- Payment forms are credit, debit cards, or Apple Pay - NO CASH
The SMAS Board is following the guidelines suggested by the City of San Mateo.
Host Your Event Here
New policies are listed on the Venue Rental page.
Booking for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday must be done 120 days in advance.
For more information about booking and availability please visit the Venue Rental page. |
Summer in the SMAS Central Park Rose Garden
Winter in the SMAS Central Park was busy! The trained Rose Volunteers prune all of the rose bushes, and add compost and mulch to all the garden beds. Now the Rose Volunteers are busy weeding and deadheading the 100+ roses.
This tedious work that the SMAS Rose Volunteers provide that make for a beautiful spot in SM Central Park for the community and visitors to enjoy! The roses are in full bloom and offer GREAT photo opportunities as well as a peaceful place to sit and enjoy nature. |
Tribute Bricks
Celebrate a special occasion or memory of a loved one among the flowers and heritage trees of San Mateo's Central Park.
Purchase engraved, personalized bricks for permanent placement along the pathway in the Butterfly-Hummingbird Garden has now been expanded to the Rose Garden. For more information or to order your brick(s), |
Grow with Us
As a fully “member and volunteer powered” organization, we invite you to participate in our ongoing efforts, as follows:
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Nursery/Greenhouse Plant Sales
ACCESS: Access to the Nursery/Greenhouse is through the North Gate (5th Avenue side of the property).
REGULAR HOURS
Due to rain the open times may occasionally need to be different than above, so don’t hesitate to call us before coming.
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PLEASE NOTE: ACCESS TO THE GREENHOUSES AT THIS TIME IS LIMITED TO ONE PERSON AT A TIME. ACCESS REQUIRES THE INDIVIDUAL TO CONTINUE WEARING THEIR MASK AND TO PUT ON GLOVES.