On this episode of Master Gardener & Friends on KNCO, UC Master Gardeners of Nevada County Ann Wright and Lisa Marsh share practical summer gardening advice for Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. They troubleshoot stunted tomato plants and possible root-knot nematodes, explain how irrigation, mulch, shade cloth and soil moisture can help gardens survive August heat, and discuss raised beds, herbs, fruit trees, melons, squash, corn, deer-resistant plants and living ground covers. The episode previews the UC Master Gardener booth, Little Sprouts children’s activities and gardening mini-workshops at the 2026 Nevada County Fair. Listeners also learn about fall vegetable planting, cool-season crops, composting, seed saving, the Western Nevada County Gardening Guide, the Madelyn Helling Library Seed Library and free workshops at the Nevada County Master Gardener Demonstration Garden on the Nevada Irrigation District grounds in Grass Valley.