gamble garden

Everything you need to know to grow beautiful roses in an organic, sustainble way.  Topics include: how the rose fits into the ecological micro-climate of the urban garden and how to create a sustainable garden with different types of roses and compatible plants.

Master Gardener David Peterson will detail methods of protecting the garden during the current drought, which is a regular occurrence in the Bay Area.  He will discuss the biological effects of drought on plant life, how to use native and Mediterranean plants that are naturally adapted to low-water climates like ours, plus simple ways to reduce water use by at least ten percent.  Other topics include: irrigation, mulches, how to save household water for thirsty plants, and making the best use of less water. 

Mid-March is a great time to start planting vegetables in the soil! Master Gardener Bekah Stratton will discuss: recommended spring/summer vegetables; companion planting; raised beds; garden design; crop rotation; French Intensive method; planting edibles in flower beds; amendments and improvements for your soil; correct watering; plant protection, pests and diseases; and tending to the health of your garden.

Free. No registration required.

Mid-February is a great time to start seeds for your spring vegetable garden!  Master Gardener Bekah Stratton will explain how to start seeds indoors; sow seeds directly in soil; and proper planting methods.  Organic vegetable gardening will be the main topic.  Other topics include: beneficial flowers such as marigolds and gourmet edible flowers such as nasturtiums. A sampling of seeds and seed starting mediums will be part of a hands-on demonstration.  Bekah will provide data downloads to those who bring USB drives. 

Free.  No registration required.

See the March 15 listing for the follow-on talk about Starting Your Spring Vegetable Garden.  

It's that time again!  November 8 is this year's last UCCE Master Gardener Plant Clinic workshop at Gamble Garden.  Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer home gardening questions.  This is the right time of year to plan and prepare for 2009's veggie and ornamental plantings.   November is the best time to plant many perennials and shrubs.  Get answers to all those troubling questions about pruning roses, fruit trees and shrub, as well as what and how to plant in your garden right now.  The clinic is a great place to get information about your most mysterious pests, diseases and totally confounding plant troubles.  Bring soil samples and/or photos of pests and plant parts.  Finally, get the help you need to set your garden right.  Please invite friends and neighbors to this free workshop.  

No reservations needed.

Plant descriptions may say "partial sun," "partial shade," or full shade."  What do they really mean?  Learn how to create a shady area in your garden or use your existing shade for best effect.  Master Gardener Niki Muller will discuss design issues in creating a shade garden in your location.  Types and patterns of shade and the problems that may arise will be addressed.  Plant selection, care and feeding will also be discussed.  Come with your questions!

Registration is required and class size is limited to 25.  Register online or phone Gamble Garden at 650-329-1365 ext. 201, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.

UCCE Master Gardener Bekah Stratton will provide this complete introduction to growing and using the many varieties of lavenders, including the history and mystique of lavender up to the current day.  She will demonstrate the great contrast between lavender grown with preferred, natural methods, and lavender grown with toxic chemical methods.  Being a Mediterranean plant, or dry summer plant, lavender only needs water during our rainy season.  This makes it ideal for landscaping in drought prone areas like ours.  Topics include: genus of Lavenders; types by intended uses; growing habits; planting; methods of propagation; nutrition needs; and soils.  Care of the fragrant crop leading to the final day of harvesting the lavender will be covered as well.  Practical handouts provided.

No Reservations Required. 

Learn how to grow "Allium Gardens of Garlic, Onions, Leeks & More!" at the next Master Gardener Workshop at Gamble Garden.  UCCE Master Gardener Susan Zaslaw will explain methods gardeners can use to take advantage of our Bay Area mild winters to grow a gourmet garden of onions, flowering chives, leeks and shallots - all members of the Allium family.  Alliums help conserve water during this drought period since they thrive during the rainy season.  She will also discuss the ornamental alliums, which are very striking, and other edible alliums such as: green onions, Japanese bunching onions, Egyptian walking onions and bulbing onions.  Other topics include: the history of growing onions and garlic; some ancient beliefs and medicinal uses; as well as how to plant, grow, harvest and preserve the Alliums.   Handouts will be provided.

 UCCE Master Gardener David Peterson will discuss the latest advances for safe, eco-friendly ways to control pests and diseases in the garden.  This free workshop provides an overview of methods that also explain the proliferation of pests and plant problems.  This introduction works for the novice gardener asas a refresher for others.  Gardeners ready to petrochemical sprays may not really have a disease problem at all but instead the plants could have an abiotic disorder - that is, one caused by environmental stress on the plant (too much or too little sun; too much or too little water; wrong kind of soil; etc.)  Ways to identify whether there is a plant in trouble or not will be discusses.  Other topics include:  alternatives to the burden of toxic chemical sprays; organic or natural gardening methods; and keeping the garden healthy for people as well as for plants.  Handouts available.  No reservations necessary.

Master Gardener Judith Cody will demonstrate how to grow organic roses with sustainable gardening methods. Roses needn't be only ornamental; learn how roses can also be a positive addition to the environment's well-being.  Other topics include: which bugs are helpful or harmful to roses; controlling and recognizing common rose diseases; ways to conserve water; and eliminating tedious spraying with toxic chemicals that endanger our families and the environment.   The information will include information on selecting hardy roses and cultivation methods that control rose problems before they start.