Capturing Rainwater for Natives

I’ll be speaking this Saturday, October 17 at 10 a.m. on Zoom on the Capturing Rainwater for Natives for the Riverside-San Bernardino Chapter of CNPS. Learn important techniques for keeping rainwater on site for happier native plants. This presentation includes appropriate rainwater harvesting and storage, plus some thoughts about greywater and best practices for native plant irrigation.

You must register in advance at https://bit.ly/rsb-rain

Here is a link to the handout: Capturing Rainwater Handout (pdf)

 

Rainwater Talk Friday April 24, and Demonstration Saturday April 25, Sierra Madre

I am reprising my water talk for Sierra Madre on Friday, April 24 at 7:00 pm at City Hall.  The next morning, April 25 at 9:30 am, we will be digging some swales at a Sierra Madre residence. The demonstration will only make sense in the light of the talk the night before, so please come to both!

Returning Rain to the Aquifer Beneath Us: Simple Water Infiltration for Sierra Madre
We do get rain in Sierra Madre, and when it comes, we throw most of it into the storm drain. Our wells are running dry, so we’re drinking imported water. Meanwhile, the cost of cleaning up pollution in stormwater is projected to cost the County $120 billion (SGV Tribune), which will be passed onto cities. “It will be millions and millions of dollars for each city…” (Monrovia Mayor Lutz, chairwoman of SGVCoG’s water committee.”
We can do better. This program will show simple ways to detain water on site and infiltrate it back in to the aquifer. Orchid will show examples of swales, earthworks, cisterns and other rainwater harvesting methods that can be used to store water on site, creating a better environment for plants to grow and helping to re-fill our aquifer and our wells.

Talk Location City Hall, Council Chambers

232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Friday, April 24, 7:00 pm

Contact 626-355-7135

Demonstration Location

285 W. Grandview Ave.

Saturday, April 25, 9:30 am

 

Water Lecture for City of Sierra Madre Wednesday, 7 pm, 1/21/15

Returning Rain to the Aquifer Beneath Us: Simple Water Infiltration for Sierra Madre
We do get rain in Sierra Madre, and when it comes, we throw most of it into the storm drain. Our wells are running dry, so we’re drinking imported water. Meanwhile, the cost of cleaning up pollution in stormwater is projected to cost the County $120 billion (SGV Tribune), which will be passed onto cities. “It will be millions and millions of dollars for each city…” (Monrovia Mayor Lutz, chairwoman of SGVCoG’s water committee.”
We can do better. This program will show simple ways to detain water on site and infiltrate it back in to the aquifer. Orchid will show examples of swales, earthworks, cisterns and other rainwater harvesting methods that can be used to store water on site, creating a better environment for plants to grow and helping to re-fill our aquifer and our wells.

Location City Hall, Council Chambers

232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Contact 626-355-7135

 

 

Three-Part Design Class at Theodore Payne, Friday Sept. 12

Desert Willow, Chliopsis linearis, Theodore Payne Sales Yard

 

I’ll be teaching the Three-Part Design Class at The Theodore Payne Foundation starting this Friday, September 12.

Friday, September 12, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Theodore Payne Foundation

10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 (map), 818-768-1802

Here’s what TPF says about the class:

“This comprehensive  three-session course for home gardeners offers a sound foundation in design styles and process, the importance of sustainability and how to model a garden after patterns in nature. Students will devise a base/plot plan, implementing knowledge of hardscape materials, irrigation, soils and more. Prior to the class, students will complete a preliminary questionnaire and warm-up exercise for their site. In addition, students are asked to bring photos of their site and a baggie of the site’s soil to the first day of class.”

Theodore Payne classes fill up quickly, so you may want to preregister by calling them  at 818-768-1802.

Here is their Calendar.

P.S – Not all California native plants are desert plants – this is only one of many sections of Theodore Payne’s sales yard.  Dry Shade and Riparian (riverbank, or moist areas) are two of my favorites.

 

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.

 

At Home With Natives 2013: October 19 at Saddleback College

Hummingbird at Fountain  2012 Orchid Black

I will be reprising my lecture on water saving strategies a the At Home with Natives 2013: Sustaining California with Native Gardens  Symposium sponsored by the Orange County CNPS tomorrow, Saturday, October 19,
at Saddleback College, Health Sciences Building, Room 145, 8 to 4:30

Here’s what they wrote about my talk: Water in our Gardens, Saving, Storing, Using:

“We’ll examine swales and earthworks meant to keep water on site, conserving both water and topsoil, appropriate rainwater harvesting and storage, some thoughts about greywater– and a quick look at Orchid’s view on practical irrigation..”

I get to share the stage and a panel later in the day with the following wonderful people: Speaking will be Guy Stivers, Lili Singer, Abe Sanchez, Mike Evans and also on the panel will be Bob Allen, Ron Vanderhoff and  Dan Songster

For more information, look on the Orange County CNPS website.