October Garden Calendar in San Diego

Within the Garden - William Templeton

Summer has drawn to a close as cooler temperatures and shorter days takeover. Luckily our mild climate still allows for abundance in the garden and there is no shortage of events to inspire your fall plantings this month. 

October 8th - This Saturday learn how to Design your Garden with Native Plants with Greg Rubin at the SD Botanic Garden from 9 - 12pm at a cost of $25-30.

October 8th - Learn how to Grow Your Own Food for free with VGSD at Olivewood Gardens. Class 1 of 3 is from 8 - 12pm and introduces you to all of the basics.

October 8th - Stop by the booths at The 4th Annual Sustain La Mesa Environmental Festival which is held from 10 - 2pm.

October 10th - The SDHS host highly entertaining author of Wicked Plants Amy Stewart who will present her new book Wicked Bugs. The event starts at 6pm and is $10 for non-members.

October 13th - The Center for Sustainable Energy host arborist Leah Rottke as she speaks about Planting Fall Trees for Spring Vigor from 5:30 - 7:30pm.

October 15th - The SD Farm Bureau host the 2nd Annual Farm Tour from 9:30 - 3:30 pm. This tour features 6 farms and the opportunity to see how mushrooms get their start, visit the Stone Brewing Farm, learn how to best grow avocados and finish with a wine tasting. $20 for adults, $10 children.

October 15 & 16th - The SD Botanic Garden will hold their 29th Annual Fall Plant Sale from 10-4pm that is free with admission.

October 19th - Enjoy pumpkin carving, food, music and the film Nourish at Seeds at City Fall Festival from 11 - 2pm.

October 22nd - Help to sustain the Seeds at City Urban Farm through their Young Farmers Fundraiser starting at 3pm within the Wild Willow Farm.

October 22nd - Learn to build a Hydroponic Fall Garden with AGPals at the SD Botanic Garden from 9 - 12pm. $70 pays for the class and materials.  

October 23rd - Planning and Planting Fall crops will be the topic of this free class taught by Farmer Bill at City Farmers Nursery from 1:30 - 3:00pm.

October 29th - Learn How to Compost for free at the San Diego Zoo from 8 -10am at this event sponsored by the Solana Center.

Did I miss your event? Email me at info@seedsinthecity.com

June Garden Calendar in San Diego

 

Marcela Camarena Lubian

The gardens are in bloom and the calendar is chocked full of fun and inspirational garden happenings this month.

June 2nd - The Best Sustainable Fruit Trees will be discussed from 5:30 - 7:30pm at this free class which will be held at the CA Center for Sustainable Energy.
June 4th - Succulent Reproduction is the focus of this class that teaches how to revive old plants and start new ones for $35.00 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.
June 4th - This free Gardening 101 class will cover seed starting, irrigation systems and water harvesting from 9:00 - 12:00 pm at the Solana Center.
June 4th & 5th - SD Cactus Society's Annual Show and Sale will be held at Balboa Park from 10:00 - 4:00 pm.
June 5th - Choosing the Best Irrigation System is covered at Liberty Farms from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm for $35.00 and covers what irrigation will best meet your needs.
June 7th - Learn How to Start & Manage Community Gardens with the Solana Center at this free class from 6:00 - 8:30 pm that is taught every Tuesday of the month.
June 7th & 14th - Aquaponics Workshop will be held over at the Ecolife Foundation for $30.00 which includes lunch.
June 11th - This free class covers Xeriscape: Low Water Use Plants at the Walter Andersen Nursery in San Diego at 9:00 am. On the same day Summer Vegetable Care and Planting will be covered at the Poway store from 9:30-10:30 am.
June 11th - The final, free Gardening 101 class will cover pest, weed management and cooking and sharing from 9:00 - 12:00 pm at the Solana Center.
June 12th - Beehive and Frame Assembly will be the focus of this 11:00 am class taught at Liberty Farms for a fee of $35.00.
June 12th - Free Winemaking Demonstration will be held at Curds & Wine from 1:00 - 3:00pm, RSVP online.
June 18th - SD Master Gardeners Summer Plant Sale will be held from 10:00 - 3:00pm at Balboa Park. Arrive early for the best selection!
June 25th - Planting for Challenging Areas will be covered in this free class at City Farmers Nursery from 1:30 - 3:30pm which includes hills, shade and areas with poor drainage.
June 26th - Poultry Care and Management is the topic of this 10:00 am class taught at Liberty Farms for $35.00 that covers selecting the best breed for you and how to care for your chickens.

Did I miss your event? Email me at info@seedsinthecity.com

May Garden Calendar in San Diego

May Flowers
Marcela Camarena Lubian

There is truly something for everyone this month...

May 1st
East County Earth Day will be held from 11:00 - 3pm at the Mt. Helix Amphitheater and the free event will include lectures on such topics as growing your own food and hummingbirds in San Diego.
Replace that thirsty lawn just in time for summer with City Farmers free class from 1:30 - 3:00pm that focuses on cost and water saving alternatives.
May 3rd
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center will offer their free one hour guided tour of the gardens and spectacular education program. Go on the website to RSVP.
May 5th - 8th 
Garden Festival at the San Diego Zoo celebrates the 700,000 different plant species and teaches guest about the many uses of edible varieties. Free with admission.
May 7th
Aquaponics - find out how you can GROW your own fish and create a closed loop system by means of Tilapia and their emulsion which becomes the perfect fertilizer for your vegetables at this free class taught from 1:30 - 3:00pm at City Farmers Nursery.
Mission Hills Garden Tour - "A Walk Down Sunset Boulevard" will showcase 12 homes and runs from 10:00 - 4:00pm. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
May 11th
Beginning Beekeeper class will be taught at Liberty Farms from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at a cost of $35.00.
May 12th
Re-imagining the California Lawn will be presented by author Carol Bornstein at the SD Botanic Garden from 7:00 - 8:00pm. The lecture will be $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
May 14th
Organic Gardening classes will be taught in a free four part series from 9:00 - 12:00pm by the Solana Center. Classes cover everything from garden design to cooking and sharing.
Historic Coronado Garden Tour from 10:00 - 4:00pm features 8 homes and is $20 in advance.
May 15th
Learn how to Make Your Own Cheese in this free class taught at City Farmers Nursery from 1:00 - 4:00pm.
May 19th
Growing up Vertical: The Future of Farming will be discussed by Gordon Smith at SD Botanic Gardens from 6:00 - 7:00 pm, this class is a must for apartment dwellers and is $10 for members and $12 for non-members.
May 21st
Ladybug Day at the SD Botanic Garden from 10:00 - 3:00pm.
May 22nd 
Hive Management will be taught at Liberty Farms from 10:00 to 1:00 pm at a cost of $35.00
May 28th
Palm & Cycad sale at the SD Botanic garden will feature many rare and unusual varieties, free with admission. 9:00 - 3:00 pm



Did I miss your event? Email us at info@seedsinthecity.com

Earth Day in San Diego

 

The worlds largest FREE Earth Day event is back at Balboa Park tomorrow! This event goes from 10:00am to 5:00pm but set your alarm because if you arrive before 10am you will find most of us already set up and no crowds. With over 350 exhibitors there is a lot to see, eat, hear and learn. Seeds in the City will be on the Prado with FREE organic seedlings and seeds. Don't forget to bring a tote bag because you will probably pick up tons of goodies and information.

April in San Diego Garden Calendar

Spring is here and with it exciting gardening events for the month of April.


April 9th
Cuyamaca College Spring Garden Tour - This free event has a plant and book sale as well as demonstrations all within the colleges beautiful water wise garden.
Charity Garden Tour from 9am to 4pm featuring five north county homes including a visit to the Ecke Ranch greenhouses for bargain sales.
City Farmers Vegetable Gardens 101 - In this free class 90 minute class from 1:30-3pm you will get all the basics for starting your own garden.
April 9th - 10th

Cultivating Food Justice Conference - This two day free conference in City Heights will feature workshops and lectures on such broad topics as goats, solar cooking, aquaponics, sprouting, dry farming and a seed swap. Visit the website link to RSVP.
April 10th
Liberty Farms will teach a poultry care and management class for those of you considering keeping chickens, the class starts at 11:00 am and is $35.00.
April 11th
Jeffery Bale will lecture on "The Pleasure Garden" as part of the San Diego Horticultural Society special speaker event at 7pm, the event is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the door within the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
April 16 - 17th
Coronado Flower Show and Garden Tour includes 10 front yard gardens, plant sales and seminars for $5.00.
April 17th
San Diego Earth Day at Balboa Park is a free event with over 350 exhibitors and the best part is Seeds in the City will be there with free seedlings and seeds.
April 23rd
Point Loma Garden Walk showcases 3 homes and ten gardens in the area of Sunset Cliffs, $20.00 advance tickets to benefit Children's Hospital.
Citrus and Avocados a free class taught by Richard Wright at the Walter Andersen Poway store, 9:30 am.

April 26th - May 24th

Become a Master Composter - Sign up to take this 5 session course being offered in San Diego from 6-8:30 pm every Wednesday.
April 27th
Introduction to Farm Animal Husbandry will be taught at Liberty Farms in El Cajon from 6:30 - 8:00pm, the class fee is $35.00.

April 30th 
Compost Workshop - Learn how compost can benefit you, this free workshop is given by master composters from 10:00 -12:00pm at the Solana Center.
The Encinitas Garden Festival is from 10am-4pm and will feature an astounding 20 homes along with free talks, $20.00 advance tickets.
Walter Andersen Nursery Point Loma teaches their free one hour class on Growing Tomatoes at 9:00am, and Poway store teaches Water Conservation and Sprinkler Efficency at 9:30am.

Did I miss your event? Email us at info@seedsinthecity.com

San Diego Master Gardeners Spring Seminar

The San Diego Master Gardeners spring seminar is back and registration opens tomorrow, January 31st. This year they are offering 3 sections of classes on April 2, 2011 that start at 8:50 a.m. with the last section starting at 1:40 and ending at 2:50 p.m.. If you pre-register classes are a mere $15, with a $5 dollar discount if you sign up for three classes. They have a very well rounded schedule of classes and instructors this year.

Topics include;

• Attracting Birds, Hummingbirds and Butterflies to your Garden
• Compost-No Longer the Dirty Little Secret in the Garden
• Tips on Designing a Water-smart Landscape with Color, Interest and Budget Savings
• Growing Herbs for Health, Taste and Fragrance
• How to Get the Most Production from your Organic Tomato Plant
• Understanding Our Soils and Simple Ways to Improve Them
• Growing Summer Vegetables the Organic Way (taught by the inspiring Pat Welsh)
• Successful "Green" Living Walls
• Native Plants You and Your Neighbors will Love

The classes are going to be back at the USD campus this year.

What's Wrong With My Plant?

The What's Wrong with my Plant team of David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth are in town to help us all answer the seemingly year round, life long question, what the heck is wrong with my plant? Their widely successful book of the same name has been a godsend in identifying everything from random black spots to yellowing leaves. Not only do they help you identify the problem but they help you find a solution the organic way. I'm very excited to get to meet these two in person! Hurry and sign up online, the class is this Saturday the 29th from 10:00am-12:00pm at the San Diego Botanical Garden.

San Diego Mushroom Fair

As a lover of Italian cooking, mostly due to my infatuation with bread and cheese, I frequently utilize many different varieties of mushrooms in my cooking. They can get rather expensive once you start getting into the gourmet varieties so we have decided to grow our own starting with Portobellas. I'm hoping to get all the necessary information at this years mushroom fair which includes cooking and growing demonstrations as well as volunteers on hand to identify your own 'found' mushrooms.

When: Sunday, February 20, 2011
            from 10:30-3:30pm
Where: Balboa Park, Casa Del Prado Building, Room 101
What: All things mushroom
How: Through your generous donations

South Bay Botanic Garden Green Scene

The 3rd annual green scene is tomorrow, September 11th from 9 to 3:00pm, to be held at Southwestern College.

This free event promises many wonderful booths such as Olivewood Gardens, San Diego Beekeeping, Wildcoast and the San Diego Master Gardeners.

In addition they have three great classes;

                
· Composting with Worms 9:30 - 10:30 am

· Reusing Gray Water 11:00 - 11:50 am

· Growing Cool Season Vegetables 12:30 - 1:20 pm

· Guided Tour of the Botanic Garden 1:45 - 2:45 pm


                        Garden Talks (in room 1802) 

Hope to see you all there! 

Food Inc.

Airs tonight on our local KPBS station at 9pm. Check when it's airing where you live here. This is one of the most important food documentaries ever made. If you eat food then this is for you.

Cultivating Food Justice Conference

The Cultivating Food Justice Conference is coming up on Saturday 4/24 and going until Sunday 4/25. It will be hosted for free at SDSU with free food and parking. Some of the workshops topics include:

4/24

Basics of Urban Homesteading
Greywater and Rainwater Harvesting: low-cost, simple solutions to creating a local water supply
Real Careers in Real Food: how to create jobs and start a business in our food system

4/25

Seed Sovereignty: How we can fight corporate ownership and protect our food diversity
Why are farm internships illegal?
Urban Farming and Aquaponics: Raising Tilapia and Produce in Water
Beekeeping for the Intrepid
Lawn to veggie garden conversion 101

Hard to believe it's free!

San Diego Garden Tours

The annual garden tours are back and with over 20 tours available in San Diego County there is sure to be garden styles and inspiration for everyone. Some of my favorites from last year and must sees are listed here:

April 17th- Encinitas Garden Festival and Tour
April 17th & 18th - Coronado Flower Show & Garden Tour
April 24th- Point Loma Garden Walk
May 8th- Mission Hills Garden Club Garden Walk
May 22nd- San Diego Floral Association Historic Garden Tour (Kensington)
Information: (619) 232-5762 Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Beekeeping

To Bee or Not to Bee


All this talk about bees has got us thinking...could we have our own bee-hive? I sadly missed several beginner bee-keeping classes here in San Diego given earlier in the year but I managed to find one more at the Cultivating Food Justice Conference 4/24-4/25.


In the meantime here is a general write up on beekeeping from the University of California.

San Diego Lawn Mower Trade in 2010

The annual lawnmower trade in is back for the 11th year in a row. My sister and I participated 4 years ago and we love our Black & Decker battery rechargeable mower. On May 1st take your old, gas powered lawn mower in working condition down to the County building on 1600 Pacific Highway. Turn in your mower and get a brand new zero emission model for $99.99! They start at 8am but we got there at 7:30 and there was over 250 people already in line around the block. Four years ago they only had 350 available but I hear they will have more this year.

Call 619-531-5544 for more info.

Ocean Friendly Gardening

The San Diego Surfrider chapter is sponsoring an ocean friendly garden course just in time for spring planting. Their main focus is conservation, retention and permeability. The course consists of three components; the basic course which is on 4/7/10 from 6-9pm, a hands on workshop and the garden assistance program. The retention part seems particularly interesting as rainwater capture has been a to-do list item for years. All three classes and an ofg book is only $25.00, pretty amazing!

San Diego Master Gardeners Classes This Weekend!

The San Diego Master Gardeners Home Gardening Seminar is this Saturday the 27th at USD. I'm surprised to see there are alot of good classes still open. Josh and I will be attending "Growing Summer Vegetables the Organic Way" taught by Pat Welsh. As a newbie to this whole world I'm excited to get some expert, easy to understand advice.

Some of the gardeners will also be selling vegetable seedlings of which you will find a list here (on the left side of the page) that would make great additions to any garden.