CAN YOU DIG IT
Garden workshops and education by Monterey Bay Master Gardeners
When: Third Saturday of each month, March through October, 9 am
Where: Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
The popular garden workshop series, Can You Dig It returns this year to the Aptos Farmers Market and will feature Monterey Bay Master Gardeners and others who will be giving hands-on demonstrations and workshops throughout the year. Upcoming workshops include how to use California native plants in your garden, organic wine production, floral design, rose pruning, how to brew compost “tea” from worm castings, pique assiette art, and other garden-centric themes. Seating is limited – please arrive early!
The Monterey Bay Master Gardeners extend research-based horticultural information, creates
and promotes educational and recreational gardening activities in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, and supports the educational program of the University of California’s Cooperative Extension. For more information about Monterey Bay Master Gardeners, visit http://www.montereybaymastergardeners.org.
Coming Garden Workshops
March 19
Going Native: Using California Native Plants in Your Garden
Speaker: Erin O’Doherty – Native Revival Nursery
Adding California native plants to home gardens helps restore vital wildlife habitat in fragmented city environments. Learn how to create hardy, low maintenance, and drought tolerant gardens using the flora and fauna of California. The beauty of indigenous plants will change your mind forever about using California natives in the garden.
Native Revival Nursery was founded in 1992 by Erin O'Doherty. After completing business school, Erin spent the summer working at Yerba Buena Nursery alongside their native plant gurus, learning the tricks of the trade. This experience sparked her passion for native plants and was the catalyst for the formation of Native Revival. Erin continues to own and operate the nursery to this day. Visit www.nativerevival.com for more information.
April 16
Discovering the Certified Organic Vineyards
of the
Santa Cruz Mountains
Speaker: Jerold O'Brien – Silver Mountain Winery
Silver Mountain Winery has created the Santa Cruz Mountain Organic Wine Trail along with three other CCOF-certified organic Santa Cruz County vineyards. Founder/winemaker Jerold O’Brien will discuss “going green” in wine production. Organic farming produces fresher fruit and healthier vines. O’Brien set out to show that California could produce wine as good as that from France while using organic growing techniques.
Saturday, April 16 is also Passport Day at the Santa Cruz Mountain Wineries. Silver Mountain invites you to visit them and other organic wineries after the Farmers Market. Or celebrate Earth Day, April 23, by stopping by to see the “Triple Green” installation at Silver Mountain, one of the largest solar arrays in Santa Cruz County. Visit www.silvermtn.com for more information.
May 21
Floral Design using Fruits, Flowers and Veggies
Speakers: Carol Griffith, Karla McIntyre, Cynthia Jordan – Master Gardeners
Think outside the box – or in this case, the vase! Nothing says “special occasion” like a beautiful and unique centerpiece for your summer gatherings. Learn how to make your own one-of-a-kind designs by using peppers or melons for vases, snap peas for greenery, and flowers from your own garden. Be sure to bring a camera to capture creative ideas for year-round decorating.
Carol, Karla, and Cynthia are certified Master Gardeners intent upon showing you that everything in your garden has multiple uses and a higher purpose! Share the fun and fantasy of design.
June 18
The "A to Z" and the 4-1-1 on Worms
Speaker: Dennis O'Hara, Master Gardener
Healthy soil is the single most important factor in maximizing your garden’s harvest. And worm castings are arguably the best soil amendment there is. Vermiculture, or “worm farming,” produces worm castings. You will learn the basics of home vermiculture methods and how to make “worm tea.” Meet your new BFF in the garden, red worms – and how to care for them.
Dennis O’Hara is a certified Master Gardener. His work with Harvesting Solutions has focused on developing new methods for raising red worms and improving the quality rating of worm castings. For more information, contact denju7@gmail.com
July 16
Succulents – The New Stars in the Garden
Speaker: Shelly Trabucco – Nest Egg Gardens
Are you looking for ways to save water in the garden without giving up the beauty of green? Do you want to spend less time on garden maintenance without sacrificing ambiance and design? This is your chance to hear Shelly Trabucco talk about her work with succulents and how to integrate them into your garden as plants and art. Shelly’s succulent creations are breathtaking. Listen and learn about this old but new garden star – the succulent.
Shelly is the owner and creative genius behind Nest Egg Gardens. She propagates most of the plants in her nursery. Shelly is a true artist in the garden, creating masterpieces from succulents and ordinary household items. Visit www.nestegggardens.com and prepare to be awe-struck.
August 20
Chicks in the City: The Zen of Raising Backyard Chickens
Speaker: Candice McLaren – Master Gardener and Poultry Guru
Nothing says “back to the farm” like chickens. They are magical – and the perfect complement to a healthy garden. What other creature will take scraps from the table and worms from the soil and give you the perfect food – eggs! You will learn all there is to know about raising chickens in your city garden while improving the quality of life. Follow the growing stages of your baby chicks as they develop into a loving family pet.
Candice McLaren has lectured on chickens in the home garden at nearly every nursery in Santa Cruz County. Raised around poultry, she is the go-to-gardener for introducing chickens into your garden regime and reaping the benefits.
September 17
Roses in December: Late Summer Pruning
Speaker: Cynthia Jordan – Master Gardener
Roses in your holiday centerpiece? Absolutely! Living on Monterey Bay means Decembers with some of the best daytime weather in the world. Learn how to take advantage of the extended growing season by extending the beauty of your garden roses. We will discuss late-summer pruning and fertilizing. We will practice turning rose cuttings into new rose bushes. The result is the warmth and beauty of roses at a time when the rest of the garden is preparing to sleep.
Cynthia Jordan is a certified Master Gardener and rose lover. At one time her garden contained over 300 rose bushes. She now focuses on her favorite dozen and how to coax cut flowers from them nine months of the year.
October 15
Pique Assiette - Art from a Broken Plate
Bonnie Pond – Master Gardener and Pique Assiette Artist
Can’t bear to throw away those chipped cups and plates from your Mother’s china set? Wondering what to do with the leftover tiles from the kitchen remodel? Ready to create garden art from recycled items? This is the class for you. This is hands-on and hands dirty. Wear old clothes and come have some fun making a trivet or stepping stone to take home.
Bonnie Pond is one of the stars in the genre of art called Pique Assiette. A French-inspired practice of using broken pottery, plates, tile – anything that can be glued and grouted, this creative process will tap into your inner child. Come to the class promptly at 9 AM and there will be time to finish a gem an hour later.