San Mateo Arboretum Society

04/07/2025

ORGANIC SPRING/SUMMER VEGETABLE GARDENING via Zoom and small, in-person group.

Sunday, April 6, 2025, 1 - 2:30pm.
Registration is required. SanMateoArboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.
In-person class is fully booked. To join the waitlist, please register for the Zoom session. We will notify you if there are any cancellations.

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! Lisa & Kathleen Putnam will explore sowing seeds, care for seedlings, how to amend your soil before planting, how and when to harvest, all using sustainable and organic techniques.
iPhone FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY In-person only.
Sunday, May 4, 1 - 3:30 pm
Fee: $10.
Registration is required: SanMateoArboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.
In this Arboretum iPhone Flowers class, Tom Upton will teach you how to combine your love of flowers and your favorite new addiction – the iPhone! He will address the creative power smart phone photography holds for us in the context color and composition. Tom will demonstrate the iPhone camera features we all should know about for a solid starting point. Your mileage may vary, iPhones from the 6 through 16 are welcome. https://phototrainer.com/, https://phototrainer.com/.

MASTER GARDENER PLANT CLINICS. FREE!
Sunday, April 6, May 4. Come anytime between noon – 3 pm
Come to the Arboretum for the Master Gardener’s walk-in plant clinic. They will answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants or insects for better diagnosis. ucanr.edu/sites/MGsSMSF
NURSERY PLANT SALES
OPEN WEEKENDS noon - 3:00 pm, weather permitting.
We try to maintain these hours, but, since we are staffed by volunteers, we may occasionally be closed, so please call 650.579.0536 x2 before coming.
If you haven't been to the Arboretum or our greenhouses recently, you are missing out on our demonstration gardens and the wonderful indoor and outdoor plants for sale including some natives and orchids. We also have great deals on large ceramic and terra cotta pots. Payment is by credit, debit card & Apple/Google Pay. No cash is accepted.
ROSE GARDEN or BUTTERFLY- HUMMINGBIRD GARDEN TRIBUTE BRICKS

The Master Gardeners are 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...

07/01/2024

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS CHANGING OUR PLANTS via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
Sunday, August 4, 1 - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events.html or call 650-579-0536 x3.

Frank Niccoli will discuss how climate change is changing plants. Hotter summers and colder winters. Longer droughts and atmospheric rainstorms. Learn tips and tricks for dealing with the new challenges to our landscapes.

07/01/2024

CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDENING FOR YEAR ROUND INTEREST AND COLOR
via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
Sunday, July 7, 1 - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.

California is one of the most biodiverse places on earth and has an amazing array of plants that thrive in our gardens. By learning the seasonal rhythms of your own area, and the unique charms of the plants that grow naturally there, you can enjoy a bounty of bloom, berry and bark throughout the year. In the process, you’ll save water and enjoy a lush landscape that feeds local ecosystems. Attendees will receive a free packet of California native wildflowers with a long bloom season to try out in their own gardens.

Our speaker, Jennifer Dirking, has been an organic gardener for over 40 years, but only recently transformed her garden from a food desert to a habitat oasis in her suburban San Carlos neighborhood.

Images: Native dogwood “Wayne Roderick”; Manzanita “Howard McMinn”; California Poppy “Moonglow” and California Fuchsia all (CC-BY-NC) Jennifer Dirking

At the Kohl Pumphouse on the listed Sundays. Come any time between noon and 3:00 pm July 7 (Changed from July 14) August 4 September 8 October 6 November 3 ​

04/28/2024

HOUSEPLANTS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
Sunday, June 2, 1 - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.

Do you want houseplants but don’t know which to buy? Do you own houseplants but don’t know how to care for them, or maybe they just don’t look so great. If this sounds like you, bring your questions and/or your potted friends, and Master Gardeners, Cynthia Nations and Cindi Morris will diagnose and discuss your houseplant problem(s).

MASTER GARDENER PLANT CLINIC. FREE!
Sunday, May 5, June 2. Come anytime between noon - 3pm.
Come to the Arboretum for this walk-in plant clinic (located in San Mateo Central Park by the Rose Garden).

The Master Gardeners will answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants or insects for better diagnosis. https://ucanr.edu/sites/MGsSMSF/

At the Kohl Pumphouse on the listed Sundays. Come any time between noon and 3:00 pm ​April 14 (rescheduled from the 7th) May 5 June 2 July 14 August 4 September 8 October 6 November 3 ​

04/01/2024

ALL ABOUT HERBS AND EDIBLE FLOWERS
via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
Sunday, May 5, 1 - 2:30pm.
Registration required.
Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.
Discover or renew a new gardening excitement and learn the basics of growing, harvesting and using culinary herbs and edible flowers with Master Gardeners Kathy Fleming and Cindi Morris. Propagate your plants from seeds, cuttings, transplants and divisions. Integrate your herbs and edible flowers in your native landscapes, vegetable gardens and containers. Maintain your plants with sustainable methods, and harvest your herbs to use them fresh or preserve them for future use. Let’s have fun while sharing the many ideas for using herbs.

04/01/2024

INTRODUCTION to BONSAI
Horticulture, Techniques and Art via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
SUNDAY, April 7, 1pm - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.

Addison Galambos, a long time bonsai enthusiast, will present a program that is great for anyone curious about Bonsai. It will include three sections: One is a lecture on Bonsai Basics. Two is a Q&A plus tree showcase. Lastly, he will do a short demo displaying some of the main techniques used for styling bonsai.

Addison is currently serving as the Vice President of the East Bay Bonsai Society, https://www.eastbaybonsai.org. You can see pictures and videos of his work on Instagram under the moniker Teeny_Trees. He is passionate about spreading the joy of Bonsai and has been delivering beginning bonsai lectures and workshops multiple times a year as well as volunteering frequently at the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt. His main teachers have been Kathy Shaner, Sam Tan, Todd Schlafer and Andrew Robson.

02/24/2024

THE URBAN FOREST: Perceptions, Misconceptions and New Understandings via Zoom and small in-person group.
FREE! SUNDAY, March 3, 1pm - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events
or call 650-579-0536 x3.

Our speaker, Ron Eicher, is a Board Certified Master Arborist. He retired in January, but continues to consult advise and subcontract with other practicing Arborists. He specialized in residential, commercial and municipal tree care including property inspections, diagnosis, treatment, pruning, removal and tree replacement.

This will be an interactive presentation. So come prepared with your questions!

PRIVACY AND SECURITY NOTES ALL seminars and workshops will be held online using Zoom video conferencing and/or small in=person group, depending on Covid. SMAS events occur in public places and...

01/26/2024

ALL ABOUT GROWING MICROGREENS via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
SUNDAY, February 4, 1pm - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.

Fresh, nutritious microgreens – they are not just for smoothies! High end restaurants use these and so can you. Carolyn Dorsch, Master Gardener, will tell us about the many varieties available to grow in your home, the differences between microgreens and sprouts, and all of the details on how to get started. Included will be many ideas on how to incorporate them into all of your meals. It only takes 3 weeks to begin harvesting microgreens!
THE URBAN FOREST: Perceptions, Misconceptions and New Understandings via Zoom and small in-person group. FREE!
SUNDAY, March 3, 1pm - 2:30pm.
Registration required. Register at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.

Our speaker, Ron Eicher, is a Board Certified Master Arborist. He retired in January, but continues to consult advise and subcontract with other practicing Arborists. He specialized in residential, commercial and municipal tree care including property inspections, diagnosis, treatment, pruning, removal and tree replacement.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY NOTES ALL seminars and workshops will be held online using Zoom video conferencing and/or small in=person group, depending on Covid. SMAS events occur in public places and...

01/26/2024

HELP PRUNE CENTRAL PARK’S ROSE GARDEN. FREE!
Saturday, January 27, 10am - noon. Heavy rain postpones.
Registration encouraged. Online at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.
Location: Central Park Rose Garden - meet at the gazebo.
Children ages 13 - 17 are welcome with accompanying adult.
All volunteers must sign a City of San Mateo Volunteer Release and Liability Waiver.

This is a free event in which you will contribute to the beautification of San Mateo’s beloved rose garden. Come to learn or share your expertise on how to prune roses. No experience is necessary. Volunteers from the Arboretum Society will be on hand to instruct beginners. Dress warmly and bring pruning shears and gloves. Light refreshments will be provided.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY NOTES ALL seminars and workshops will be held online using Zoom video conferencing and/or small in=person group, depending on Covid. SMAS events occur in public places and...

12/30/2023

HELP PRUNE CENTRAL PARK’S ROSE GARDEN. FREE!
Saturday, January 13, 10am - noon.
Heavy rain postpones.
Registration encouraged. Online at www.sanmateoarboretum.org/classes--events or call 650-579-0536 x3.
Location: Central Park Rose Garden - meet at the gazebo.
Children ages 13 - 17 are welcome with accompanying adult.
All volunteers must sign a City of San Mateo Volunteer Release and Liability Waiver..

This is a free event in which you will contribute to the beautification of San Mateo’s beloved rose garden. Come to learn or share your expertise on how to prune roses. No experience is necessary. Volunteers from the Arboretum Society will be on hand to instruct beginners. Dress warmly and bring pruning shears and gloves. Light refreshments will be provided.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY NOTES ALL seminars and workshops will be held online using Zoom video conferencing and/or small in=person group, depending on Covid. SMAS events occur in public places and...