Sustainable Garden Practice Online at UCLA Extension June 27, 2022

David King, of The Learning Garden and founder of the Seed Library of Los Angeles  and I teach Greener Gardens, Sustainable Garden Practice, which has gotten rave reviews from Extension students. We explore landscape-level and garden sustainability including watershed, foodshed and local-focused native plantings.

This class will be online with zoom discussions weekly along with self-guided field trips and assignments that get you outdoors.

Designed for horticulture students, gardening and sustainability professionals, educators, and home gardeners, this course focuses on both gardens and landscape level sustainability.

We prioritize growing and eating food from local gardens and foodsheds and promote pollinator and habitat gardening featuring native plant palettes. We touch on permaculture and other sustainable design theories; managing our soils as living systems, and moving towards a lower-consuming lifestyle when choosing materials, plants and tools. Students are introduced to the latest water management practices such as swales, earthworks, rain gardens and hugelkultur.

Self-guided trips include the Los Angeles River, the Learning Garden and demonstration gardens that feature California native plants and water-conserving planting design, as well as the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, which advances the principles of environmentally sustainable living.”

Mondays 6:30 to 9:00 starting Monday, June 27, 2022. Biology X498.10, Enrollment #386710
Enrollment Page Here

“learn to create habitat for pollinators, grow sustainable food, and harvest rainwater”

 

Greener Gardens Online at UCLA Extension September 20, 2021

David King, of The Learning Garden and founder of the Seed Library of Los Angeles  and I teach Greener Gardens, Sustainable Garden Practice, which has gotten rave reviews from Extension students. We explore landscape-level and garden sustainability including watershed, foodshed and local-focused native plantings.

This class will be online with zoom discussions weekly along with self-guided field trips and assignments that get you outdoors.

“From home and school gardens to commercial sites, our gardens present the perfect place to become more sustainable. Designed for horticulture students, gardening and sustainability professionals, educators, and home gardeners, this course focuses on both gardens and landscape level sustainability.

We prioritize growing and eating food from local gardens and foodsheds and promote pollinator and habitat gardening, featuring native and dryland plant palettes. We touch on permaculture and other sustainable design theories; managing our soils as living systems, and moving away from a consumptive, non-sustainable lifestyle when choosing materials, plants and tools. Students are introduced to the latest water management practices such as swales, earthworks, rain gardens and hugelkultur.

Self-guided trips include choices of the Los Angeles River, the Learning Garden and demonstration gardens that feature California native plants and water-conserving planting design, as well as the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, which advances the principles of environmentally sustainable living.”

Thursdays 6:30 to 9:30 starting Monday, September 20, 2021. Biology X498.10, Enrollment #383104
Enrollment Page Here

“learn to create habitat for pollinators, grow sustainable food, and harvest rainwater”

 

California Natives Online at UCLA Extension April 9, 2021

Eriogonum grande rubescens, Achillea and Poppy

We explore the California native palette via zoom and self-guided field trips.

This class will be online with zoom discussions weekly along with assignments that get you outdoors. From the Extension website:

“California native landscapes are adapted to our climate, and provide habitat to many California native bees, birds, and mammals. Using native plants in a landscape can make a garden more resilient and drought tolerant.

Participants study the elements of a successful native landscape including native plant communities; healthy soil, use and/or non-use of supplemental irrigation; maintenance requirements; plant sourcing; installation; and use of rainwater. The course will enable students to develop California native plant palettes for common urban micro-climates.

CoVID 19 Update: This course will meet online via weekly zoom meetings.

Self-guided trips include choices of the Los Angeles River, native nurseries, local trails and botanic gardens and  that feature California native plants and water-conserving planting design, as well as the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, which advances the principles of environmentally sustainable living.”

6 Fridays 6:30 to 8:30 starting April 9, 2021.
California Natives Biology X499.22, Enrollment #379122. I  believe the class is full, but there is a wait list.

 

Greener Gardens Online at UCLA Extension June 25, 2020

David King, of The Learning Garden and founder of the Seed Library of Los Angeles  and I teach this class which has gotten rave reviews from Extension students. We explore  landscape-level and garden sustainability including watershed, foodshed and local-focused native plantings.

This class will be online with zoom discussions weekly along with assignments that get you outdoors.

“From home and school gardens to commercial sites, our gardens present the perfect place to become more sustainable. Designed for horticulture students, gardening and sustainability professionals, educators, and home gardeners, this course focuses on both gardens and landscape level sustainability.

We prioritize growing and eating food from local gardens and foodsheds and promote pollinator and habitat gardening, featuring native and dryland plant palettes. We touch on permaculture and other sustainable design theories; managing our soils as living systems, and moving away from a consumptive, non-sustainable lifestyle when choosing materials, plants and tools. Students are introduced to the latest water management practices such as swales, earthworks, rain gardens and hugelkultur.

Self-guided trips include choices of the Los Angeles River, the Learning Garden and demonstration gardens that feature California native plants and water-conserving planting design, as well as the Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies, which advances the principles of environmentally sustainable living.”

Thursdays 6:30 to 9:30 starting June 25, 2020. Biology X498.10, Enrollment #374688

“learn to create habitat for pollinators, grow sustainable food, and harvest rainwater”

 

 

 

Bringing Butterflies, Birds and Beneficials to your Native Garden, This Saturday, Feb. 21, 9:30 a.m.

Swallowtail on Monardella, courtesy TOLN

I’ll be speaking this Saturday at Tree of Life Nursery to kick off their new Habitat Gardening Series.

“Planting native plants provides new life to your garden by providing a food source and living space for pollinators like birds and butterflies. Make it easier for them. They struggle to find food and shelter in our urban areas filled with what to them is utterly useless – lawn, flower beds, hyper organized over-maintained “landscapes.”  With the right plants, it is possible to invite a host of hummingbirds, songbirds and beneficial insects to the garden. In addition to attracting these delightful visitors, you will find you draw something else – yourself! You may just find yourself out in your garden more – enjoying these delightful critters every day!”

These lectures are free and open to the public. The nursery is open, and staff are available to help you choose the best native plants for your wildlife habitat garden.

Future speakers in the series include:

Feb 28 – Jim Semelroth, Southern California Bluebird Society
Attracting Bluebirds into your garden
March 7 – Bob Allen (CNPS Appreciation Day, member discounts)
Attracting amphibians and reptiles to your native garden
March 14 – Monique Rea, Jewels of Nature Hummingbird Rescue
Attracting Hummingbirds into your native Garden

Tree of Life Nursery
33201 Ortega Highway,
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

 

Free Workshop in Monrovia Saturday, August 9: Getting Started With Easy Native Plants

Native Wildflowers and Shrubs at the Venice Learning Garden

 

I will be giving a presentation on Getting Started with Native Plants during the City of Monrovia’s Monrovia Area Partnership 5th Neighborhood Conference.  The  Conference is free.  It features 24 speakers on many topics, including  Solving Stormwater Runoff, Immigration Outlook, Therapy Dogs and the Wild Side of Monrovia.

My presentation will start at 10:30.   Here is their blurb for me:

“Native plants support more birds, butterflies and
pollinators than non-native plants and use up to
75% less water. Attend to learn how to get started.”

When and Where:

Saturday, August 9, 2014, 9:30am – 3:00pm
Monrovia High School Event Center
845 W. Colorado Blvd.
(Enter on Madison Ave)
Childcare provided for ages 6-16.
Classes will be also given in Español.

 

Native Plant Week Symposium, Wildflower Show & Plant Sale, Sat. 4/21

Erigeron 'W.R' in Rows at a CNPS Plant Sale, November 2011

I’ll be doing my talk on “Easy Native Plants” at the Native Plant Week Symposium, Wildflower Show & Plant Sale.  There are two other wonderful speakers, Dr. Anthony Valois, talking about “Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains,” and native plant horticulture maven Lili Singer speaking on why “Native Plants + Pollinators = Bountiful Gardens.”

Dr. Valois speaks at 9:30 a.m., I speak at 11:30 a.m. and Lili will speak at 2:00 p.m.

There is also a poetry reading from 1-2:00 p.m., and I plan to read a poem or three. The event features a wildflower show, native plants and books for sale, exhibits and demos. You’ll be able to find many of the plants on my Easy Natives  Plant List for sale at the event.

Date:  Sat. April 21, 2012 – 9 am – 4 pm

Place:  Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino

Sponsors:   LA/SMM Chapter of CNPS and the Theodore Payne Foundation