Los Altos Library

When visitors walk into a local garden with rhododendrons, their reaction is often: "Wow - I had no idea you could grow rhododendrons in this area!"  Come and learn the secrets to growing rhododendrons and azeleas successfully.  Master Gardener Bob Weissman will share his thirty years of experience in a multi-media presentation that even those who don't think they want to grow rhododendrons will surely enjoy.   You might become a convert!

You will hear about the wonderfully varied colors, textures, forms and varieties that can add much beauty to your garden.  Bob will demonstrate the basic techniquesto get rhododendrons off to a good start, and then discuss how to maintain healthy rhododendrons throughout the year.

February is a great time to prune rose bushes. Master Gardener David Giroux will describe how to prune roses to mprove their health, vigor, structure and appearance. David has years of great experience at the Heritage Rose Garden in San Jose, http://www.heritageroses.us, which has more than 4,000 plants and more than 3,000 different varieties of heritage, modern and miniature roses. He will also discuss rose care so come with all your rose questions! Marianne and David will bring potted roses for a hands-on pruning demonstration.

Join other gardeners in learning how to save seeds from your favorite summer vegetables and flowers!  Master Gardener Rosalie Shepherd will describe the principles and show you sure-fire techniques.  It's great fun and also satisfying to grow your favorite plants from saved seeds.

Now is a great time to start winter greens. Master Gardener Karen Schaffer will introduce you to many new and unusual varieties of vegetables.  Come learn how to grow vegetables for fall and winter harvest.  We will discuss how to seed directly into soil between July and September; how to seed into pots for transplanting later; how to buy good transplants from nurseries for planting in September and later.  You will enjoy great vegetables from October through March!