Lake Tahoe Basin

The Growing Food in Tahoe Project encourages gardeners to grow food that is well suited to the Tahoe climate. As Master Gardeners, we are interested in finding out which edible plants grow best in our unique Tahoe climate.

UCCE Master Gardeners of Central Sierra are here to answer your gardening questions! Fill out the Ask A Master Gardener online form for your county. You can attach photos and we walk you through all of the information that might be pertinent.

A Tahoe Friendly Garden is water-wise! Choose appropriate plants for Tahoes climate and utilize efficient irrigation systems. Planning for water efficiency is an extremely important component of landscape planning in the arid west.

Select your county, below on the right, to get more information on applying to their Master Gardener training program. Contribute to your community every year Master Gardeners contribute several thousand hours of volunteer service educating our communities about sustainable gardening.

Living in Harmony A Tahoe Friendly Garden considers the pros and cons of which critters you want to invite in your yard. Berries, seeds, and leaves are an important food source for birds, mammals and beneficial insects and plants provide nesting materials and shelter from predators and the elements.

Soil fertility is the gardens foundation. A Tahoe Friendly Garden enhances water infiltration and storage while allowing your garden to thrive.

Gardening for fire defensible space serves to limit the threat of wildfire spreading to or from a structure. It includes the selection and maintenance of plants and mulch for low fire risk. Sustainable fire-wise landscaping should be easy to care for with minimal irrigation.

A Tahoe Friendly Garden will utilize science-based knowledge and practice with climate and growing seasons, soil conditions, moisture, and pest control can help you grow your own vegetables and become self-sufficient! Home-grown food: food gardening at altitude in Lake Tahoe's granite soils can pres...

The CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE program in the Central Sierra operates in four counties, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne. Our nutrition education team works out of offices in Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, Sutter Creek, San Andreas, and Sonora.

Tahoe Friendly Garden Presentations Tahoe Friendly Landscape Design 2023 Tahoe Friendly Garden Design 2023 Choosing the Right Plant Tahoe Friendly Gardening for Defensible Space Gardening through the seasons -- Spring in Tahoe 2019 Gardening through the seasons--Summer in Tahoe 2019 Gardening throug...