In February we continue to prune out the old and plant seeds for the new. Brian Marshall and Nancy Heinzel of Sawmill creek farm in Paradise wrote this beautiful description of February on their market farm: “February is often the cruelest month here in the north state. Tantalizing glimpses of clear blue sky are followed by days of incessant spitting rain and fog that make noon seem like twilight. Safely tucked inside the heated greenhouse however are trays and trays of seedlings, slowly unfurling. Amazing to see the tiny leafy beginnings of what will hopefully become sturdy and productive tomato plants. The heralding of spring is about to begin, I gently pass my hand over the seedlings, lightly ruffling the new leaves. And I inhale… the scent. Tomato essence.”
Summer, with its color and high drama, is out there somewhere – a seedling. Winter is about enjoying the texture and nuance that will in time lead up to spring and summer.
This month keep pruning dormant trees and vines, and roses in the warmer sections of the North State. Bare root plants are now or soon to be widely available at our local nurseries and ready to be planted during breaks from bad weather if your soil is not too frozen or too wet. If you are going to start tender vegetable or annual seeds indoors, bad weather February days and early February evenings are good times to do this; some cold happy vegetable starts or seeds including lettuce beets broccoli carrots and chard can be sown outside already.
The whole month is loaded with good classes on pruning trees, vines and roses. Other events include the listings below. If you are interested in our regional events, be sure to check the On-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events at jewellgarden.com regularly – events are added almost everyday. I do my very best to keep the calendar up to date and accurate, please confirm all events with the event host’s contact information. If you are aware of a mistake on my calendar, please send me corrected info: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com! Thanks.
February 3 – Mt. Lassen Chapter of Cal Native Plant Society: Regular Member Meeting & Program on Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex 7:30 pm Butte County Library, Chico. Presenter will be Joe Silveira, Wildlife Biologist from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/chapters/newsletters/pipevine.pdf
February 5 – Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Grape Vine Pruning Classes 11 am. All classes are free, class size is limited, please call to reserve your seat: 530-365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding, CA. For more information: www.wyntourgardens.com
February 5 – Redding: Shasta College Community Teaching Garden – Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop 1pm – 3 pm. Room 812, Shasta College Main Campus. Learn the basics of fruit tree cultivation and pruning techniques from local certified arborist and horticulturist for the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. Presenter: Rico Montenegro. Fee: $15.00 For more information: http://www.shastacollege.edu/teachinggarden/
February 6 – Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society – Field Trip: UC Davis Guided Conservatory Tour Reservations being taken: $4/person. 8:30 am Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Chico’s intersection of Hwy 99/32 interchange.) Bring lunch, water, insect/sun protection, and money for ride sharing. The greenhouses are warm so dress appropriately. We will take an hour long tour of the 3,600 sq ft greenhouses and see amazing diversity of plant adaptations. Form and function of plants from the world’s deserts, tropical forests, and carnivorous habitats as well as the interactions of plants with insects. Time and weather permitting, we will stroll some of the 100 acre arboretum. To make reservations call: Gerry Ingco 530-893-5123
February 6 – Chico: Chico Organic Gardening Class: Robert Atkinson, Home Gardener 1:30 – 3:30 Chico Grange. Robert will discuss raised bed gardening for beginners and intermediates. Using straw as a mulch, integrating bees into the home garden, results with various varieties. Lots of slides. For more information or to register, go to: http://valleyoakmagazine.com/about/monthly-publication/organic-gardening/chico-organic-gardening-society-cogs/chico-organic-gardening-class.
February 12 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Trees in the Landscape Series: Homeowner’s Guide to Tree Care 10 am – Noon. Trees are usually the largest and oldest plants in a landscape. Providing beauty and shade, they are also undoubtedly important investments of time and money for homeowners. In this class, Turtle Bay’s Lead Gardener, (and a News Café’s “Tree Goddess” columnist), Marie Stadther, co-teaches with local IPM (integrated pest management) expert, Paul Stockton, about tree selection, correct planting, pruning, disease control, and care of older trees. Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery
February 12 – Whiskeytown: Camden House Historic Site and Orchards – Advanced Pruning Workshop on Restoration of Mature Trees 10 am – 11 am. Restoration Workshop for fruit trees and ornamentals – Free – limited space available – please RSVP: Rico at 530-365-1920. Hands on fruit tree restoration activity – Also, for those who have assisted in the past and those who may be interested in learning and volunteering to help restore 100 to 150 year old apple trees. Open to people who have taken one of my classes over the last several years or similar with someone else. You don’t need to take the restoration workshop class to help with the apple restoration activity. This activity takes place right after the above workshop at 11 AM to? At the Camden House on the same day as the above. Please feel free to contact Rico Montenegro for any questions at 530-365-1920.
February 12 – Whiskeytown: Camden House Historic Site and Orchards – Hands on fruit tree restoration activity 11 am – 2 pm. For those who have assisted with the historic trees at the Camden House in the past and those who may be interested in learning and volunteering to help restore 100 to 150 year old apple trees. Open to people who have taken one of my classes over the last several years or similar with someone else. This activity takes place right after the above workshop at 11 AM to? At the Camden House on the same day as the above. Please feel free to contact Rico Montenegro for any questions at 530-365-1920.
February 12 – Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Care and Pruning of Berries: Blueberries and Cane berries 11am. All classes are free, class size is limited, please call to reserve your seat: 530-365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding, CA. For more information: www.wyntourgardens.com
February 16 – Chico: Chico Horticultural Society: Regular Member Meeting & Program by John Whittlesey on Water Conservation in the Garden 9:30 – 12 noon. Regular member Meeting and Program by nationally-renowned horticulturist John Whittlesey of Canyon Creek Nursery & Design on Water Conserving Gardening Techniques. Butte County Library, Chico Branch 1108 Sherman Avenue Chico. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.
February 16 – Redding: Shasta Rose Society: Regular Member Meeting< & Program 7 pm City of Redding Corporation Yard, 2055 Viking Way, Building 4, Rm 401. For more information: http://www.shastarosesociety.org/Shasta_Rose_Society/Home.html
February 17 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS: Regular Member Meeting & Program 7 PM at the Shasta College Health Science & University Programs building in downtown Redding, 1400 Market Street, Community Room 8220 (clock tower building at the north end of the Market Street Promenade; enter on south side of building). For more Information: http://www.shastacnps.org/calendar.html
February 19 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Dynamic Soil! 10 am – Noon. Billions of microscopic creatures can live in a handful of healthy soil, and healthy soil equals healthy plants! Plants that are strong are more resistant to pests and diseases, and they make gorgeous gardens! Join Ken Waranius as he discusses the components needed to take your soil from exhausted to bountiful, naturally! Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery
February 19 – Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Grape Vine Pruning Classes 11 am. All classes are free, class size is limited, please call to reserve your seat: 530-365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding, CA. For more information: www.wyntourgardens.com
February 21 – Colusa: Garden Club of Colusa County Regular Member Meeting & Program 6:30 – 8:30 pm. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. For more information go to: http://colusa-garden-club.webs.com/
February 22 – Chico: Butte Rose Society General Member Meeting & Program 6 pm gather, 7 pm meeting and program begin. Chico Veterans Memorial Hall at 554 Rio Lindo Ave. For more information: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org/
February 22 – Red Bluff: Red Bluff Garden Club Regular Member Meeting & Program by Rebecca Yarrow on Herbs 12:30 pm gather, 1pm meeting and program begin. 12889 Baker Rd., Red Bluff. For more information go to: www.redbluffgardenclub.com
February 23 – Chico: Chico Horticultural Society: Evening Gardeners Meeting 7 – 8 pm. Planting a Vegetable Garden with Master Gardener Kay Perkins. Butte County Library, Chico Branch 1108 Sherman Avenue Chico. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.
February 26 – Fair Oaks: Fair Oaks Horticulture Center: Open Garden 9 am – noon. Sacramento Master Gardeners’ Advice to grow by – Ask a Master Gardener. Talk with Master Gardeners while you visit the water-efficient landscape gardens and the orchard, vineyard, berry and vegetable areas. Fair Oaks Horticulture Center is in Fair Oaks Park. Questions? Call 916-875-6913, or go to http://groups.ucanr.org/sactomg/Fair_Oaks_Horticulture_Center/
February 26 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Walk With Lisa Endicott, Horticultural Manager 9:30 am. Bring your notebooks and camera! We’ll make our way through the Gardens with frequent stops for discussions about (what else?) plants! Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery
February 27 – Redding: Shasta College Community Teaching Garden – The Early Spring Garden: Gardening in the Mud 1pm – 3 pm. Room 812, Shasta College Main Campus. This workshop will feature tips and techniques of how and when to seed and transplant early spring vegetables when your garden soil is waterlogged and seemingly unworkable. Presenter is a local organic nurseryman and advisor to the Teaching Garden. Presenter: Wayne Kessler. Fee: $15.00 For more information: http://www.shastacollege.edu/teachinggarden/
February 27 – Chico: Chico Organic Gardening Class: Lee Callender and Francine Stuelpnagel of GRUB Farm 1:30 – 3:30 Chico Grange. Lee and Francine from GRUB will share their favorite seed companies and varieties for both spring and summer planting. They will also discuss planting dates, methods, and their practical experiences in raising four acres of organic vegetables. For more information or to register, go to: http://valleyoakmagazine.com/about/monthly-publication/organic-gardening/chico-organic-gardening-society-cogs/chico-organic-gardening-class.
In a North State garden and Jewellgarden.com are THREE YEARS OLD as of February 2011. Happy Anniversary! All purchases made from Jewellgarden.com’s shop page of beautiful, botanically inspired printed products directly support the production of this weekly gardening program. All remaining 2011 Calendars and holiday cards are now on Sale 50% off! Follow Jewellgarden.com/In a North State Garden on Facebook – become a fan today!
To submit plant/gardening related events/classes to the Jewellgarden.com on-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events, send the pertinent information to me at: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com
Did you know I send out a weekly email with information about upcoming topics and gardening related events? If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to Jennifer@jewellgarden.com.
In a North State Garden is a weekly Northstate Public Radio and web-based program celebrating the art, craft and science of home gardening in Northern California. It is made possible in part by the Gateway Science Museum – Exploring the Natural History of the North State and on the campus of CSU, Chico. In a North State Garden is conceived, written, photographed and hosted by Jennifer Jewell – all rights reserved jewellgarden.com. In a North State Garden airs on Northstate Public Radio Saturday mornings at 7:34 AM Pacific time and Sunday morning at 8:34 AM Pacific time. Podcasts of past shows are available here.
