County Extension Hosts Winter Garden Workshop, Focus on Soil and Water Conservation

The NMSU McKinley County Cooperative Extension convened a community workshop on November 8, 2025 titled Winterizing Your Garden and Master Gardener Information. The two hour session ran from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at 1130 Hasler Valley Road in Gallup and was part of the extension office s 2025 26 Gardening Series. Organizers had invited residents to register by phone at 505 863 3432 and to learn both practical winterizing techniques and volunteer opportunities through the Master Gardener program.

The workshop focused on low cost, practical steps homeowners can take to protect vegetable and ornamental beds as temperatures drop. Topics emphasized included mulching and cover crops to reduce soil erosion, practices to retain moisture during winter months, and techniques to protect perennial plantings from freeze and thaw cycles. The session also outlined Master Gardener volunteer pathways, aiming to expand local technical capacity for community education and shared gardening projects.

For McKinley County residents who garden at home, the timing and content of the session matter in both economic and environmental terms. Preparing beds for winter reduces plant loss and the need to replace seeds and seedlings in spring, which eases household budgets for food and landscaping inputs. Conservation practices covered at the workshop can reduce water use and limit soil loss on properties, outcomes that are relevant given the region s semi arid conditions and pressures on municipal water systems.

The Cooperative Extension s outreach model also serves a longer term public purpose. By recruiting and training Master Gardener volunteers, the program amplifies local horticultural know how and spreads best practices across neighborhoods. That volunteer capacity can lower public costs for outreach, support community gardens, and improve access to fresh produce for families that rely on homegrown food to supplement grocery budgets.

Attendance details were handled through the extension office s registration line and the program was presented as part of an ongoing series of seasonal gardening events for 2025 and 2026. Residents seeking more information or future session dates were encouraged to contact the NMSU McKinley County Cooperative Extension at 505 863 3432. The extension s steady programming underscores a practical approach to household resilience, resource conservation, and the cultivation of volunteer networks that can strengthen local food and environmental outcomes in the months ahead.