Jan 24

Mushroom Discovery

The Garden is excited to welcome Christian Schwarz from Santa Cruz, co-author of the Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast, for an in-depth look at the diverse fungi found on the central coast. Join Christian at the SLO Botanical Garden on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, January 24-26, for a class series that explores mushroom habitats and identification methods. This interdisciplinary program will engage students through a combination of classroom lecture, field exploration, and hands-on exercises.
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden,
3450 Dairy Creek Road,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405,
(805) 541-1400.

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Feb 01

Herb Walk: Infused Oils & Salves

Join local Herbalist Emily Sanders to learn about native California plants that can be prepared as infused oils, salves, and other topical remedies for everyday ailments. Emily will take you on a stroll through the Garden and introduce you to certain special plants and their healing properties. Then, she’ll give a hands-on demo of how to make your own infusions and salves.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,
1212 Mission Canyon Road,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105,
(805) 682-4726.

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Jan 18

Gardening Under Oaks

The Garden’s head horticulturist and certified arborist Bruce Reed will lead a discussion of the do’s and don’ts of gardening underneath the Central Coast’s premier shade tree. Bruce will start by sharing a presentation on his expertise and experience for successful planting under the oak canopy. Next, Bruce will take you on a tour of the Garden’s multitude of magnificent oaks, demonstrating how to cultivate shady spaces.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,
1212 Mission Canyon Road,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105,
(805) 682-4726.

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Jan 17

Grow Your Own: Native Plants from Cuttings

Learn how to grow California native plants vegetatively from cuttings. The class includes a lecture on the basics of cutting propagation, and specific guidelines for California natives. We will then walk the garden to collect cutting material and end the class with a hands on lab and tour in the living collections nursery.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,
1212 Mission Canyon Road,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105,
(805) 682-4726.

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Jan 11

Eighth Annual Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Conservation Symposium: Children in Nature – Prescription for a Healthy Planet

Children today are in nature less than ever before, and they are suffering for it – with obesity, depression, attention disorders, and a dampening of creativity. Without that connection to nature, we are also losing the next generation of conservationists. Award-winning author Richard Louv coined the phrase “nature-deficit disorder” to describe this problem and helped launch an international movement to connect children, families, and communities to nature. It will take a toolkit of strategies to fix the problem, and they are as diverse as our communities. Join us for the Eighth Annual John C. Pritzlaff Conservation Symposium as we learn about – and even experience – these proven strategies from experts.
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden,
1212 Mission Canyon Road,
Santa Barbara, CA 93105,
(805) 682-4726.

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Feb 01

Basic Design Principles- Small Spaces

There are many factors that go into designing a beautiful, useful garden. With our Basic Design Principles series, we will cover many of the different factors you need to consider and help you navigate the process of refurbishing a bed or designing a whole new garden.
The Ruth Bancroft Garden,
1552 Bancroft Road,
Walnut Creek, CA 94598,
(925) 944-9352.

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Jan 24

Curator’s Garden Tour- Mesembs

The ice plant family (Aizoaceae) is a large group, mostly native to South Africa. A significant number of them are winter flowering and we have been testing these in the garden for the last several years to determine their adaptability in horticulture. Brian Kemble, long-time curator, will feature some seldom grown plants in genera such as Cephalophyllum, Cheiridopsis and Aloinopsis.
The Ruth Bancroft Garden,
1552 Bancroft Road,
Walnut Creek, CA 94598,
(925) 944-9352.

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Jan 11

Gardening with Proteaceae

Hailing primarily from South Africa and Australia, Proteaceae are fairly new additions to the dry garden plant palette. These plants are noted for their striking flower heads as well as colorful or unusual foliage. While they have some particularities, following a handful of basic guidelines, you can easily incorporate these fantastic plants into your garden. Join Cricket Riley, Landscape Design Consultant at the RBG Nursery, for an informative session in the new Visitor and Education Center.
The Ruth Bancroft Garden,
1552 Bancroft Road,
Walnut Creek, CA 94598,
(925) 944-9352.

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Mar 07

Tomatomania!

The Garden is thrilled to take part in one of the World’s largest heirloom tomato seedling sale again this year! Scott Daigre and his team are bringing back all of your favorite varieties plus much, much more. From an experienced gardener to just a beginner, Tomatomania has the perfect blend of yummy seedlings and tools to make the ideal Summer Garden.
The Water Conservation Garden,
12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West,
El Cajon, CA 92019,
(619) 660-0614.

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