Master Gardener program to offer seasonal gardening workshop at Goodyear library

Residents looking to get an early start on their 2026 gardens can attend a free educational workshop next month hosted by the Georgia Lord Library and led by a Maricopa County Master Gardener.

“Jumpstart Your Garden: Planning & Planting for 2026” is scheduled for Jan. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Georgia T Lord Library, 1900 N Civic Sq, in Goodyear, and is open to adults. The program will be presented by Certified Master Gardener Terri Kelly and will focus on practical, seasonally relevant gardening guidance for desert environments.

The workshop will cover what gardeners can do immediately in midwinter, including which cool-season vegetables can still be planted, how to prepare soil for the months ahead, and strategies for planning a successful spring and summer garden layout. Additional topics will include landscape watering, vegetable gardening and the use of desert-adapted plants.

Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who provide science-based horticultural education and outreach to the public through university Cooperative Extension programs. Their work is aimed at helping communities create sustainable gardens and landscapes suited to local conditions.

Kelly has been a Master Gardener since 2021 and serves Maricopa County through educational programs and community outreach. She is the founder of TerriLand Creations, where she focuses on empowering residents to grow food and maintain attractive, water-conscious landscapes in desert climates.

In addition to public presentations, Master Gardener volunteers answer gardening questions, maintain demonstration gardens, support Extension offices and assist with educational events throughout the community.

The program is free and open to the public. Visit mcldaz.org for more information.