By UC Master Gardeners of Butte County.
If you haven’t yet had time to attend one of our Fall Workshops this year, worry not – the Master Gardeners have plenty of great sessions lined up for October and November.
Coming up in the next few days we offer workshops on plant propagation, and attracting native bees and other pollinators to your garden. In the second week of October, we tackle ways to deal with pesky gophers, moles and voles; the care and pruning of fruit trees and berry vines; and soil improvement.
For those interested in growing and arranging cut flowers, we have a great double-header coming up: two new workshops packed with the information needed to get started on growing flowers that last well in a vase and the principles behind building an attractive arrangement.
Want to grow herbs and put them to work for you? We’ve got a workshop on just that topic.
Curious about which of the many insects in your garden are actually harmful? Want to control the small proportion of insects that are pests without resorting to harmful chemicals? Our workshop explaining integrated Pest Management (IPM) may be just what you are looking for.
Ever wonder how plants manage to adapt to changing conditions so they can continue to thrive? In our workshop on adaptations of California natives, you’ll learn how many of our native plants have evolved and adapted over time to meet their needs when environmental conditions change.
Most of the workshops will be held in the outdoor classroom in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden or inside Pat’s Barn; both are located at the Patrick Ranch between Chico and Durham. Other locations include the Bradley 2 classroom at The Social in Chico, and the Terry Ashe Recreation Center on Skyway in Paradise.
In addition, we offer Seasonal Garden Talks at our Chapman Park Teaching Garden at the Dorothy F. Johnson Center in Chico. Our upcoming Fall Garden Talk will take place Saturday, October 17 from 9-10 am. Come and learn all about growing garlic. No registration is required – just show up!
The following list covers our October and November Workshops. These workshops are free, but they do require advance registration. For full workshop descriptions and to register, visit our workshop webpage.
OCTOBER
Propagation (Friday, 10/2). Learn the best time to propagate woody perennials and divide plants; how to select and make cuttings; the proper techniques for dividing plants; the best planting mediums to use; and how to plant cutting and divided plants.
Native Bees and Other Pollinators in Your Garden (Saturday, 10/3). Join a local expert from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to learn about pollinating species, and ways to attract native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.
Gophers, Moles, and Voles (Friday, 10/9). Learn how to deal with these pests, including how to set gopher traps.
Care and Pruning of Fruit Trees (Saturday, 10/10). Learn about the different fruit tree bearing habits and how those habits guide pruning decisions to ensure regular bearing and good fruit size. Also: how to prune an overly-large fruit tree down to a manageable size, prune grape and berry vines, and prepare fruit trees for winter dormancy.
Improving Your Soil (Monday, 10/12). John Thompson, General Manager of Butte Valley Supply and the Earthworm Soil Factory, will speak on the four principles of soil health, focusing on practical ways to create healthier, more resilient gardens.
Growing Cut Flowers and Making a Hand-Held Bouquet (Wednesday 10/14). From preparation and hydration to vase life and arrangement basics, this class will set you up with the skills needed to create arrangements and bouquets for home or office. Participants will create hand-held bouquets to take home.
Growing Cut Flowers and Creating an Arrangement in a Vase (Wednesday 10/21). This workshop covers flowers that are beautiful and useful as cut flowers to bring inside. Participants will create an arrangement to take home.
Demystifying Herbs (Tuesday 10/27). Learn all about planting, growing, and harvesting herbs -- what you need to know to get started or to take your herb garden and herb cookery to the next level.
NOVEMBER
Pest Management (IPM) (Thursday 11/5). While insects are the most abundant animals on the planet, only one percent of them are known to be pests. Learn how to identify insect pests and control them without using harmful insecticides.
How Does Your Garden Grow? Adaptations of California Native Plants (Saturday 11/7). Join us in exploring the variety of adaptations over time which have allowed California natives to succeed in Butte County despite our hot and dry summers.
Finally, we’ll end the year with a Big Pumpkin event: a fundraiser for the Master Gardeners in partnership with Patrick Ranch. Create a pumpkin planter and fill it with succulents for an attention-getting Thanksgiving centerpiece. Afterwards, the succulents can be replanted in another container or in your yard for a long-lasting addition to your garden. $55 per person, all plants and supplies included. Register for the Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece Workshop.
UC Master Gardeners of Butte County are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) system. To learn more about us and our upcoming events, and for help with gardening in our area visit the UC Master Gardener website. If you have a gardening question or problem, email the Hotline at mgbutte@ucanr.edu or leave a phone message on our Hotline at 530-552-5812. To speak to a Master Gardener about a gardening issue, or to drop by the MG office during Hotline hours, see the most current information on our Ask Us section of our website.