Ready, Set, GROW! Webinar Series

A FREE Webinar Series OFFERED ON THE 3rd WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH at 3 pm

With a surge in gardening questions and requests for gardening presentations, the New Mexico State University - Cooperative Extension Service is offering this FREE "Ready, Set, GROW!" gardening series to share recommended gardening practices.

Presenters will include County Extension Agents, State Extension Specialists, and other regional experts with experience in horticulture, insects, and food.

Webinars are listed below with registration links. Sign up separately for each of the classes you would like to attend!

Each webinar is being recorded too! Links to the videos and presentation slides will be added as they become available (usually within a few days of the live "show"). Scroll further down for info on previously aired webinars in our ongoing series.

Cherry Tomatoes from the NMSU Learning Garden at the NMSU Ag Science Center at Los Lunas

Cherry tomatoes from the NMSU Learning Garden in Los Lunas. Photo credit Marisa Thompson, Aug. 2020.


Presented By:
New Mexico State Cooperative Extension Service
The NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas
NMSU Department of Extension Plant Sciences

Upcoming Webinars in 2025 (all are at 3 pm MST)

  • June 18 - Should we or shouldn’t we grow turfgrass? - Dr. Bernd Leinauer, NMSU Extension Turfgrass Specialist
  • July 16 - Jujube Basics and Production in New Mexico - Dr. Shengrui Yao, NMSU Extension Fruit Specialist
  • August 20 - Grow a refuge for yourself and wildlife! - Laurel Ladwig, ABQ Backyard Refuge Program Director with the Friends of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, a more-than-human geographer, University of New Mexico Adjunct Faculty, Geography & Environmental Studies, Sustainability Studies Program
  • September 17 - Conserving New Mexico Monarchs - Join Kaitlin Haase, Pollinator Conservation Specialist for the Southwest with the Xerces Society, to learn about the threatened monarch butterfly's migration, their preferred habitat in New Mexico, and how you can help conserve them for future generations. 
  • October 15 - Japanese Beetles - Bethany Abrahamson, Sandoval County Extension Agriculture Agent, will discuss invasive Japanese beetle, its role as an agricultural pest, and how you can help keep it out of New Mexico
  • November 19 -- TBA --
  • December 17 -- TBA -- 

Previously-Aired Webinars

2025

Growing Vegetables in Containers - Dr. Stephanie Walker, NMSU Extension Vegetable Specialist, presented on logistics, care, and ideal variety selections for growing vegetables in containers. Limited space for a vegetable garden shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying your own fresh produce! 

 Sustainable Soil Practices - Dr. Joseph Burke, Assistant Professor of Weed Science & Cropping Systems at Texas A&M in Lubbock, presented on the importance of soil analysis, no-till gardening benefits, benefits of organic amendments, and other soil strategies.

Raising Your Gardening Game - Drew Garnett, Chaves County Extension Agriculture Agent, presented on the basics of creating your perfectly personal raised garden bed!

Guiding Forests Forward: The Role of Assisted Migration - Dr. Alissa (Al) Freeman, Climate Forester for Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation

Summary: This talk explores the science, strategies, and practical considerations of assisted migration as a tool for promoting forest resilience in a changing climate. Broadly, Al is interested in the intersection of forest management, climate change, and ecophysiology. More specifically, her PhD research was focused on understanding physiological mechanisms underpinning adaptability of species to changing climate regimes and adaptive forest management.

 

Organic Fruit Tree IPM for Backyard Orchards - Will Jaremko-Wright, NMSU Taos County Agricultural Extension Agent

 

2024

Climate-Ready Trees: Planting Smarter for a Warmer and Shadier Future - Dr. Marisa Thompson, NMSU Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist. We will discuss the challenges brought upon by climate change and offer solutions and suggestions in choosing the right tree for the right place. Find more info on the Climate-Ready Trees collaborative project and resource links HERE.

Hydroponics for the Home Gardener: Systems, crops and tips for novice growers - Rachel Gioannini, NMSU Associate Professor of Horticulture, Plant & Environmental Sciences Department

Bring Back the Pollinators: Stewardship of the Desert Ecosystem in Central New Mexico... and BEYOND" - Elliott Gordon, ABQ Backyard Refuge and Xerces Society Ambassador

Strategies for Common Tree Insect Pests - Dr. Joanie King, NMSU Extension Entomology Specialist

Weed Management in Urban Landscapes - Dr. Leslie Beck, NMSU Extension Weeds Specialist

Passive Rainwater Harvesting - Kali Bronson & Megan Marsee of the Bernalillo County Water Conservation Program. Passive rainwater harvesting can be as easy as directing your gutter downspout or the overflow from your rain barrel to your landscape. But you can capture even more rainwater (and support more plants) by creating swales that channel rainwater from your roof to shallow, depressed basins. This webinar for homeowners provides an overview of designing, installing, and maintaining passive rainwater harvesting features. Speakers cover topics from a passive rainwater harvesting field guide available at bernco.gov/rainwater such as: Why harvest rainwater; evaluating where to site your rainwater harvesting feature; sizing your rainwater harvesting feature; selecting plants; installing basins, swales, and soil sponges; MULCH!; and watering, pruning, and weeding.

Growing Strawberries - Dr. Russell Wallace, Extension Vegetable Specialist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service Center in Lubbock. Topics include recommended varieties for the southwest region, how to plant and grow them (soil, water, etc.), pests, etc.

Ornamental Sunflowers - Dr. Calvin Trostle, Texas AgriLife Extension Hemp & Alternative Crops Specialist in Lubbock. Topics include recommended varieties for the southwest region, benefits for wildlife, how to grow them (soil, water, etc.), and tips for sunflower photography.

Growing Chile Peppers in the Southwest - Dr. Stephanie Walker, NMSU Extension Vegetable Specialist

Top 10 Tree Diseases and Disorders Found in New Mexico - Dr. Phillip Lujan, NMSU Plant Pathology Extension Specialist

Reading a Garden Catalog – Bernalillo County Extension Program Director John Garlisch

Chill Hour Requirements & Other Factors Affecting Budbreak in Fruit Trees - NMSU Extension Specialists Dr. Richard Heerema (Pecans and Pistachios) & Marisa Thompson (Urban Horticulture) 

 

2023 

ANTS! - Dr. Joanie King, NMSU Extension Entomology Specialist

 

Surface-water/Groundwater Interactions: Case Studies from the US Southwest" - Dr. Gerhard Schoener, Senior Hydrologist (SSCAFCA) and Research Assistant Professor (University of New Mexico)

  • 2 case studies discussed:

    • Groundwater recharge through ephemeral streams in the greater Albuquerque area (this is my own study, along with some data from the ABCWUA Bear Canyon recharge project)
    • Flood irrigation and groundwater recharge (probably something from California, where there has been work done on this topic) 

 

Composting - John Zarola, Outreach Coordinator for the Bernalillo County Extension Master Composters program

 Container Gardening: Raised Beds & Potted Plants - John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

I'm Dreaming about Greenhouses - Dr. Curtis Smith, NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist, retired

The Carbon Dilemma: Can Soils Solve Our Climate Crisis? - Sandoval County Agriculture Extension Agent Rachel Zweig

Squash Bugs, Other Hemipteran Insects, and How to Distinguish the Pests from Beneficials - Dr. Joanie King, NMSU Extension Entomology Specialist

Dealing with the Challenges of Growing Tomatoes in the Desert Southwest - Sandoval Extension Master Gardener Sam Thompson

Approaches to Addressing Troublesome Wildlife in Your Garden: Deer and Pocket Gophers - Dr. Sam Smallidge, NMSU Extension Wildlife Specialist

Seed Propagation, Transplanting, & Storage - Danise Coon, NMSU Research Associate Specialist, Chile Pepper Institute 

Pruning the Home Orchard - Dr. Richard Heerema, NMSU Extension Pecan Specialist

 

Designing Your Habitat Garden - Judith Phillips, Local Landscape Designer and Garden Writer

2022

Landscaping Magic: Inspiration for Your Winter Garden - Wes Brittenham, Director of Horticulture at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm

Food Preservation - Cindy Davies, retired Family Consumer Science Agent,NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service in Bernalillo County

Landscaping with Native Plants - Mike Halverson, Santa Ana Pueblo Native Plant Nursery

Top 10 Most Common Plant Diagnoses - Phillip Lujan, NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic

Pollinators - Miranda Kersten, Senior Program Specialist, NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas

Water Storage - Sandra Liakus, Sandoval County Extension Master Gardener (EMG)

Keep It Cool: Shading Your Veggies - Dr. Stephanie Walker, NMSU Extension Vegetable Specialist

Drip Irrigation for the Home Garden - Tom Dominguez, Santa Fe County Cooperative Extension

Spring Veggie Gardening - John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

Pruning Galore - Dr. Marisa Thompson, NMSU Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist

Common Evergreen Pests in New Mexico - Dr. John Formby, Forest Health Specialist with NM Forestry

2021

Holiday Plants - The Ready, Set, GROW! Team

Home Composting - John Zarola, Outreach Coordinator for the Bernalillo County Extension Master Composters program!

  • Want to learn more about improving the soil in your yard and garden?
  • Video Recording - 11/17/21
  • Presentation Slides - 11/17/21 Coming Soon!

Healthy Soils - Isabelle Jenniches, Outreach Coordinator of The NM Healthy Soil Working Group

Growing Fruits - Suzanne Cole, Mora County Extension and Sara Moran, Bernalillo County Extension Office

  • Learn about growing fruit in your garden, from apricots to quince, and currants to strawberries! Topics include: growing conditions, best varieties for New Mexico, & site placement.
  • Video Recording - 09/15/21
  • Presentation Slides - 09/15/21 Coming Soon!

Cover Crops as Garden Tools - Dr. Stephanie Walker, NMSU Extension Vegetable Specialist

  • The use of cover crops is a great way to improve soil, manage pests and disease, and increase your vegetable gardening success. Dr. Stephanie Walker discusses how to select and manage cover crops to overcome gardening challenges.
  • Video Recording - 09/01/21
  • Presentation Slides - 09/01/21

Planning the Fall Vegetable Garden - John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

Container Gardening - Dr. Marisa Thompson, Urban Horticulture Extension Specialist

  • Containers are GREAT for small spaces, patio charm, and movability (depending on the size). But they also present a slew of potential gardening problems. Dr. Thompson discusses plants that do well in pots and gives tips on diagnosing and avoiding common problems.
  • Video Recording - 08/04/21
  • Presentation Slides - 08/04/21

Medicinal Plants - Dr. Ivette Guzmán, NMSU Assistant Professor of Horticulture

Plant Diagnosis - Phillip Lujan, Diagnostician for NMSU’s Plant Diagnostic Clinic & John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

Preserving the Harvest - Cindy Davies, retired Family Consumer Science Agent, NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service in Bernalillo County

Gardening with Kids - Nissa Patterson, Program Assistant, School Gardens Project, Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension

Pest Management for the Home Garden - Dr. Amanda Skidmore, NMSU Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist

Permaculture for the Home Garden - Lynda Garvin, Valencia County Extension Agriculture Agent

Grapevine Management - Dr. Gill Giese, Extension Viticulturist Specialist, Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas

Planting the Vegetable Garden - John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Service

Tree Pruning Basics - Dr. Marisa Thompson, NMSU Extension Urban Horticulture Specialist

Designing Landscapes for Diversity - Dr. Amanda Skidmore, NMSU Extension IPM Specialist

Winter Weed Management - Dr. Leslie Beck, NMSU Extension Weed Specialist

Starting Seeds Indoors - Nissa Patterson, NMSU Bernalillo Extension Program

Health Benefits of Gardening - Suzanne Cole, Mora County Extension

Houseplant Care - John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

2020

Holiday Wine Pairings for New Mexico - Dr. Gill Giese, Extension Viticulturist Specialist, Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas

Gardening Gift Ideas - The Ready, Set, GROW Team

Taking Care of the Winter Landscape - Dr. Marisa Thompson, NMSU Horticulture Specialist

Selecting and Planting Trees - Jeff Anderson, Dona Ana Extension Agent

Seed Saving - Lynda Garvin, Valencia County Extension

The Humble Herb - Suzanne Cole, Mora County Extension

Pollinator Habitat for the Fall/Winter Garden - Amanda Skidmore, NMSU Integrated Pest Management Specialist

Planting the Fall Veggie Garden - John Garlisch, Bernalillo County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent

Contact Info

Marisa Thompson
Email: desertblooms@nmsu.edu