UC Master Gardener Talk: Pruning 101

This is a free community program. Please consider supporting the Gardens of Golden Gate Park with a recommended donation of $5-20. Your support helps us connect people to plants, the planet, and each other.  Saturday, March 14, 2026 11am-12pm San Francisco Botanical Garden — Plant Shop About the Program Anyone caring for a garden or even a few plants will sooner or later be faced with the question: Am I supposed to prune this plant? Pruning can feel mysterious and daunting, but with a few basic concepts and guidelines in hand, anyone can improve their skill. Join us for an overview of pruning basics and examples of common pruning tasks. About the Speakers Kathy Ryan is a 2024 graduate of the UC Master Gardener program. She is the green steward for an “unaccepted street” in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood, where the emphasis is on sustainable gardening–supporting soil, invertebrates, birds, and other creatures. She enjoys helping to provide a beautiful space for neighbors and visitors to enjoy nature in an urban setting. Kathy has been using worms for vermicomposting for over 40 years and loves learning everything she can about habitat restoration and California native plants. Shilpa Thanawala is a San Carlos-based UC Master Gardener and experienced garden educator. She runs a leadership coaching practice and also serves as a grants manager for Planet Bee Foundation. Her small home garden contains more than 30 varieties of fruit trees, canes, and shrubs, a large herb garden, and a growing number of California native and pollinator plants. She teaches workshops on pruning, planting for pollinators, climate change, and soil health. — RSVP recommended, walk-ins welcome. Heavy rain cancels. Admission to the Garden is free for San Francisco residents, veterans, Museums for All/EBT participants, and Gardens members. Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.