Linda Furnas, President of the Fresno County University of California Master Gardener Advisory Board

Gardening is one of the most practical ways to reconnect with the land we live on—and in a place like Fresno, where climate, water, and ecology are constant topics of conversation, it can also be a civic act. In this episode of Fresno’s Best, host Jordan Mattox sits down with Linda Furnas, President of the Fresno County University of California Master Gardener Advisory Board and a member of the Board of the Master Gardener Association of Fresno County, to explore what it means to garden responsibly in the Central Valley.

Linda explains what distinguishes a Master Gardener from a typical backyard enthusiast: certification through the University of California Cooperative Extension and a commitment to sharing science-based, environmentally responsible gardening knowledge with the community. From answering questions on the Master Gardener helpline to organizing community classes and managing demonstration gardens like the Garden of the Sun, the program blends education, environmental stewardship, applied science, and volunteer service.

The conversation ranges widely—from soil health and composting to pollinator gardens, lawn culture in Fresno, and the philosophy of how much control we should exercise over our landscapes. Linda also weighs in during a rapid-fire “overrated vs. underrated” segment, tackling topics like front lawns, heirloom vegetables, rain barrels, artificial turf, and more.

Along the way, Jordan and Linda discuss how gardens shape a city’s identity, why green space matters for Fresno’s future, and how small decisions in our yards can affect water use, biodiversity, and the overall health of our community.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start gardening in Fresno—or how to do it better—this episode offers practical insights from someone helping lead one of the region’s most important gardening education programs.

Fresno Master Gardeners Website

Books: 

The Blind Assassin Margaret Atwood

The Sunset Western Garden Book Editors of Sunset Magazine

The Antidote: A Novel Karen Russell