Educational Seminars, Workshops & Events
PLEASE NOTE: ALL seminars and workshops will be held online using Zoom video conferencing and/or small in=person group, depending on Covid.
Please register on this website.
For those viewing on Zoom, a day before the seminar you will receive an E-mail with a Zoom link and meeting ID. These allow you to connect to the seminar using a Web browser or smart phone.
You will be able to sign in 15 minutes early to confirm that the audio and video connection is working.
Please register on this website.
For those viewing on Zoom, a day before the seminar you will receive an E-mail with a Zoom link and meeting ID. These allow you to connect to the seminar using a Web browser or smart phone.
You will be able to sign in 15 minutes early to confirm that the audio and video connection is working.
Masks are required for all in-person events.
Master Gardener Plant Clinics are back!
The Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. 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.
Their next visit to SMAS is on April 02, 2023 - noon to 3:00 pm
http://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/plant-clinics/
Other Master Gardeners Free Plant Clinics for 2023:
Sundays: 04/02, 05/07, 06/04, 07/09, 08/06, 09/10, 10/01, 11/05
Come any time between Noon and 3:00 pm
Their website is: https://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu
If you are interested subscribing in their newsletter, you can do so at: https://smsf-mastergardeners.ucanr.edu/newsletter/
2023 SCHEDULE
MARCH
SATURDAY - MARCH 18, 2023
HELP BEAUTIFY CENTRAL PARK'S ROSE GARDEN
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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Volunteer Now
The San Mateo Arboretum Society needs energetic volunteers to spread compost & mulch in the rose garden. Beverages & light refreshments will be provided.
APRIL
SUNDAY - APRIL 02, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
Organic Spring/Summer Vegetable Gardening - Ring in the summer, start sowing in winter, for your fabulous tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, winter squash (yep, grown in SUMMER) corn, and more! This class will cover what is possible to grow and harvest in spring and summer in our area, as well as how to care for your spring/summer garden. We will explore sowing seeds, caring for seedlings, when to plant them out, how to amend your soil before planting, and how and when to harvest, all using sustainable and organic techniques. We will also review cover cropping and how to keep your soil alive.
Bio: Lisa Putnam has a BS in Agricultural Economics from UC Davis and also studied nutrition science at Davis. She currently manages a small sustainable organic farm in Woodside and Portola Valley and is a UC Master Gardener and Master Composter. Lisa’s passion is soil and compost. Along with her sister Kathleen, has been teaching gardening at Lyngso’s, San Mateo County Fair, and Garden Clubs for the last 12 years.
Bio: Kathleen Putnam is a professional organic vegetable gardener serving the Mid-Peninsula and is an ISA Certified Arborist. Kathleen has a certificate in Environmental Horticulture from City College of San Francisco and is a UC Master Gardener. Kathleen’s passion is fruit trees and soil. Along with her sister Lisa, has been teaching vegetable gardening and pruning techniques at many venues for the last 12 years
Bio: Kathleen Putnam is a professional organic vegetable gardener serving the Mid-Peninsula and is an ISA Certified Arborist. Kathleen has a certificate in Environmental Horticulture from City College of San Francisco and is a UC Master Gardener. Kathleen’s passion is fruit trees and soil. Along with her sister Lisa, has been teaching vegetable gardening and pruning techniques at many venues for the last 12 years
ZOOM Registration |
In-Person |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on April 02, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
SUNDAY - APRIL 30, 2023
GNOME FRIENDS and GARDEN MOBILES
with VIRGINIA and MAYA
with VIRGINIA and MAYA

Children's Program
Ages 6 & Up with Accompanying Adult
Outside at the Arboretum
Ages 6 & Up with Accompanying Adult
Outside at the Arboretum

- 1:00pm - an hour-long program
- Free!
- Location: Kohl Pump House
- Reservations Required: online or call 650-579-0536x3
Create a pine-cone gnome to look over your garden. Create a colorful mobile to hang in your garden.
In-Person Registration
MAY
SUNDAY - MAY 07, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
POPULAR HOUSEPLANTS - Session 2
with Master Gardeners |
This presentation is a "stand alone" presentation, and attendees didn't need to attend the first session. Session 2 will include: propagating houseplants and then go into specific "categories" of houseplants including flowering houseplants; easy and low light; orchids; foliage, palms; succulents and cacti; hanging; trailing and climbing; bulbs; indoor trees; ferns; and unusual plants.
To view Session 1 go to “Houseplant Basics” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRQIOkH37Z8
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BIOS: Barbara Cohrssen, Master Gardener since 2007, is a certified industrial hygienist, ceramic engineer, special librarian, and environmental engineer. She has a dieffenbachia plant (really a cutting from it) that she bought over 50 years ago. Cindi Morris
worked as an interior plantscaper for many years placing plants in commercial and home settings. She learned a great deal about indoor plants and what it takes to make them successful. Cindi graduated from San Francisco State University and had extensive horticultural experience in education and in her work.
Cynthia Chew Nations Cynthia Nations is a 2015 UC Master Gardeners graduate and has served as UC Master Gardener secretary, the lead for Spring Garden Market for 3 years, education committee chair, lead for monthly Coastside Magazine gardening articles since 2017, coordinator for the 2020 MG class, and president from 2020-2022. Her interests include organic vegetable gardening, drought-tolerant plants, art in garden projects, succulents, mixed-media painting, and, most importantly, her 4 grandchildren.
Linton Bowie Lin Bowie has been a Master Gardener since 2007 and is a life-long lover of all types of plants. Since 2002 she taught horticulture and biology at the College of San Mateo, including plant identification, interior Plantscape, and growing orchids.
Cynthia Chew Nations Cynthia Nations is a 2015 UC Master Gardeners graduate and has served as UC Master Gardener secretary, the lead for Spring Garden Market for 3 years, education committee chair, lead for monthly Coastside Magazine gardening articles since 2017, coordinator for the 2020 MG class, and president from 2020-2022. Her interests include organic vegetable gardening, drought-tolerant plants, art in garden projects, succulents, mixed-media painting, and, most importantly, her 4 grandchildren.
Linton Bowie Lin Bowie has been a Master Gardener since 2007 and is a life-long lover of all types of plants. Since 2002 she taught horticulture and biology at the College of San Mateo, including plant identification, interior Plantscape, and growing orchids.
ZOOM Registration |
In-Person Registration |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on May 07, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
JUNE
SUNDAY - JUNE 04, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
Master Gardener Leslie Muennemann focused on matching her southernmost San Mateo County flora by planting a mostly
native garden over 12 years ago. She shares the design decision process along the way and what she has learned about the various native plants needs. She has been a UC Master Gardener of San Mateo County since 2008.
native garden over 12 years ago. She shares the design decision process along the way and what she has learned about the various native plants needs. She has been a UC Master Gardener of San Mateo County since 2008.
ZOOM Registration |
In-Person Registration |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on June 04, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
JULY
SUNDAY - JULY 09, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
ZOOM Registration |
In-Person Registration |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on July 09, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
SUNDAY - JULY 30, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
ZOOM Registration |
In-Person Registration |
AUGUST
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on August 6, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
ZOOM Registration |
In-Person Registration |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on September 10, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 01, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
SUCCULANT TOPPED PUMPKINS
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In this workshop, Arboretum volunteer, Cathy, will show you how to make a unique decoration to celebrate the Fall Season. You purchase a 6-8 inch wide pumpkin & we will supply you with all the materials you need to decorate your pumpkin. Those viewing on Zoom will be emailed dates & times when kits can be picked up at the SMAS. Fantasy pumpkins, aka Cinderella, last a lot longer than a traditional carving pumpkin and have a flat top.
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In-Person Registration |
ZOOM Registration |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on October 01, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
NOVEMBER
SUNDAY - NOVEMBER 05, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
ROSE PROPAGATION
with Stu Dalton |
Stu Dalton, who will be presenting the topic, is a Peninsula Rose Society Past President, A UCCE Master Gardener in San Mateo and San Francisco Counties, and an American Rose Society Master Rosarian. He grows over 250 Roses in his Menlo Park Garden and has given talks at the San Mateo Arboretum Society in the past.
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ZOOM Registration |
In-Person Registration |
Master Gardener Plant Clinic on November 05, 2023
Come by anytime between noon and 3:00pm
DECEMBER
SUNDAY - December 03, 2023 |
via ZOOM
and a Small In-Person Group |
HOLIDAY WREATH WORKSHOP
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Bring your imagination, pruning shears & light weight gloves. Using fresh colorful greens from San Mateo Central Park, you will be able to create a one-of-a-kind beautiful wreath. This is a family activity, children ages 5 - 12 with accompanying adult are welcome. All material provided including seasonal embellishments such as ribbon, cones and more! Please feel free to bring any treasures from your garden that you may wish to share and personalize your design.
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In-Person Registration |
ZOOM Registration |