PHOTO: Rosa ‘A Shropshire Lad’
April has me left considering the total inadequacy of the word Sweet. I have happily filled my house this past month with old roses, hybrid tea roses, musk roses and climbing roses, with Salvia fructicosa, Salvia ‘May Night’, Salvia officinalis, and Salvia spathacea, with sweet peas, and now with peonies – big blousy delicately scented white Peony ‘Festiva Maxima’ and deep pink Peony ‘Alexander Fleming’. Furthermore, we have eaten the last of the sweetest grapefruit and plates of the first strawberries and snap peas. Sweet doesn’t begin to cover it. But life is indeed both sweet and good in the North State Garden this time of year. Hard in fact, to rival let alone put one word to or sum up – in a lifetime or in four minutes. And Life – being what it is, can be counted on to balance the sweet with the bitter over time.
PHOTO: Strawberries in the garden.
In the edible garden, we’re ready to plant out warm season crops like peppers, squash, cucumbers, basil and tomatoes – the cultivation of which we got good tips on from Pam Geisel on “The Practical Gardener.”
PHOTO: Hand seeding.
When you get a few very warm days and (preferably) the soil is still slightly moist due to rain or pre-irrigation, plant your corn, beans, melons, squash and basil from seed. Early to late spring is also the time to fertilize citrus. Divide fertilizer applications into 3: the first application at flowering, the second at fruit set and the final application sometime late in the month. Be sure to water in fertilizers as soon after application as possible.
Take the time now to keep your weeds under control if you get to them before they flower, you won’t have to do it twice – or 500 hundred times.
PHOTO: A spring vernal pool.
No matter the rain we HAVE had this spring, the 50-year-record drought is going to be an issue with us all summer and well beyond. We live in a dry summer climate and our natural water reserves both above and below ground have never been lower. Consider carefully ever plant you place, every time you water. It is a habit we all need to cultivate. For more information on our water resources you might be interested to investigate this information site out of UC Davis – the myths and realities of California’s water situation is eye opening: https://watershed.ucdavis.edu/myths/water+availability/.
PHOTO: Artichokes in spring garden.
The end of April and the month of May in the calendar of gardening events bring just more variations on the concept of sweet. The On-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events at jewellgarden.com adds events throughout the month. I do my very best to keep the calendar up to date and accurate, please confirm all events with the event host. If you have an event you would like listed or if you are aware of a mistake on the calendar, please send all pertinent information to: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com! Thanks!
April 26 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Field Trip – McClure Trail to North Mill Creek in Lassen National Forest. This trail in Tehama County is in the Lassen National Forest near the Tehama Wildlife Area and the Ishi Wilderness. The trail is in a blue oak woodland and has many scrub oak (Quercus berberidfolia) and other plants not often seen around Redding. This three- to four-mile roundtrip trail descends over volcanic substrate to North Mill Creek, the site of an old homestead. Part of the trail is steep and physical agility is required, but overall it is an easy hike. If rains are cooperating, we should see many wildflowers a short drive from the trail. Meet at Redding City Hall’s south parking lot on Parkview Avenue at 9 AM. Bring plenty of water. No dogs, please. For more information, call David Ledger at 355-8542. For more info: http://www.shastacnps.org
April 26 – Redding: 8th annual Whole Earth and Watershed Festival Redding City Hall from 10 AM to 4 PM. Whole Earth and Watershed Festival Returns Saturday April 26, 2014. Healthy People ~ Healthy Communities ~ Healthy Planet The Whole Earth and Watershed Festival is a community-wide celebration with activities for all ages that celebrate social, economic, and environmental solutions for ourselves and our planet while enhancing the health and livability of our north state region. Now in its 8th year, this Festival takes place at Redding City Hall and Sculpture Park on the 4th Saturday of April. It will feature over 110 Exhibitors representing a wide range of interests all with a common goal: to increase awareness of what it will take to a) live more sustainably as a part of an ecosystem, b) better conserve our natural resources, and c) foster support of our local businesses and community agencies. There will be 2 stages offering live music by local musicians and beautiful performances by local dancers, a wide variety of engaging educational activities for all ages including the Earth First Young Children’s Zone and the Watershed Passport Program, innovative ideas for re-purposing everyday objects, local artists showcasing their work, the Cart Art Contest display, loads of giveaways and information from the wide variety of Exhibitors, and delicious food from local restaurants. The Shasta Wheelmen Club will offer a guarded Bike Corral for those on bikes. RABA and the Festival Organizers are once again sponsoring a Free Ride Day on April 26th on all routes, all day. There will also be aFREE Event Shuttle that runs between the Downtown RABA station, the Sundial parking lot, the Canby RABA stop on the east side of the Mt. Shasta Mall, and the FESTIVAL at City Hall throughout the day. Website: www.wholeearthandwatershedfestival.org Email us at: reddingwewf@gmail.com Facebook: Whole Earth and Watershed Festival
April 26 – Chico: Friends of the Chico State Herbarium Workshop: Botanical Illustration with Judy McCrary 10 am – 4 pm. Want to draw plants and flowers? Here’s your chance! Local illustrator and teacher, Judy McCrary, will lead this one day workshop on botanical illustration. The workshop will concentrate on pencil and ink techniques, although other media may be explored depending on the interests of the participants. Please bring a 2B or a regular #2 pencil. If you already have a crow-quill pen base and nib, and black ink, bring those, too. You are welcome to borrow pencils, pens, ink, and paper if you want to try things out before making any purchases. You can find everything you could want at Ellis Art & Engineering Supplies in down- town Chico, a few blocks from the class. Let’s all bring plant cuttings and flowers to share and draw. Please also bring a lunch. The workshop will meet on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Holt Hall room 129 at CSU Chico. Registration for the workshop is $40.00 ($30.00 for students, and for members of Friends of the Herbarium); please register in advance. Class size is limited to 16 participants (class cancelled without a mini- mum of 5 participants); older children are welcome to register. For more informa- tion about workshop content please contact Judy McCrary at jmccrary@ digitalpath.net. For more information about registration or directions please contact the Biology office at (530) 898-5356 or jbraden@csuchico.edu.
April 26 – Chico: Chico Creek Nature Center Annual Celebration CELEBRATE THE JEWEL 11 am – 4 pm. Join us for the 3rd Annual Celebrate the Jewel! A fun event for the whole family, spend a day in Bidwell Park, the jewel of Chico, featuring a sneak preview and discounted registration for Summer 2014 Camp Chico Creek. Bring the whole family to meet many of the recreational and educational groups that call our Park home. There will be crafts, games, music and more at the Chico Creek Nature Center, where there is always more to explore! Chico Creek Nature Center 1968 E. 8th Street, Chico CA (530) 891-4671 BidwellPark.org
April 26 – Davis:UC Davis Arboretum Arboretum Plant Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m., UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery (Garrod Drive near La Rue Road, across from Vet Med), UC Davis campus. THE NEW FRONT YARD: Prepare your landscape for long-term water conservation with attractive, drought-tolerant, easy-care, region-appropriate plants including a large selection of California natives and Arboretum All-Stars. Not a member? Join at the door! All members receive 10% off their purchases; new members also receive an additional $10 off as a thank you for joining. The benefits of membership far outweigh your cost! For more information on the benefits of membership visit: http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/join_the_friends.aspx. The event is free; parking is free and available in nearby. For more information and directions, visit http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/calendar.aspx or call (530) 752-4880.
April 26 – Mt. Shasta: Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens Workshop: “Deer Gopher & Squirrel Solutions” Donna Wolfe and Micah Dobush team up for a lively discussion about controlling animal pests in the garden, orchard and yard landscapes. Learn non toxic and biological solutions for deterring and repelling the furry and feathered friends from feasting on your foliage and food. Free and open to teens and adults 10 am to 12 noon. Please bring a chair. Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens, 1234 Nixon Rd. (530)926-2565.
April 26/27 – Chico: Leo T. Clark Iris Society Annual Spring Display 11 am – 4 pm. Chico Mall Sears Courtyard.
April 28 – Chico: Friends of the Chico State Herbarium: SPRING STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST OPEN to SUBMISSIONS UNTIL MAY 1 Open to all 6th – 12th grade students. 1st Prize: $100 and Herbarium T-shirt 2nd Prize: $50 and Herbarium T-shirt 3rd Prize: $25 and Herbarium T-shirt Specifications: Maximum of two entries per participant. All entries must be received by May 1, 2014, in order to be displayed and judged. Please submit photos in 8”x10” format as both a hard copy and as a digital file (e.g., jpeg); and include a note with the title or subject, your name, grade level, school, and contact information. Submit prints in person to the Gateway Science Museum Ticket Office OR by mail to: 2014 Plant Photo Contest, Chico State Herbarium, CSU Chico, Chico, CA 95929- 0515. Submit the digital file and any questions to John at johnccnd@gmail.com. All photos will be on display during the Herbarium Open House May 9th in the Chico State Herbarium, CSUC Campus, Holt Hall Room 129.
April 29 – Chico: Butte Rose Society General Member Meeting and Program When: Meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month starting at 7 pm From: January through May and August through November. Location: Chico Veterans Memorial Hall at 554 Rio Lindo Avenue in Chico, California. Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butte-Rose-Society/189382585776 Contact us by mail: Butte Rose Society at P.O. Box 8888 in Chico, CA 95927. For more info: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org
PHOTO: Spring clematis.
MAY 2014
May 2 – Chico: Plant Barn Nursery & Gifts Book Signing and Reception “Plant Lover’s Guide to Salvias” by local garden designer, plantsman and author, John Whittlesey 6:30 pm, book signing and wine and cheese reception. Books signed by the author and many many salvia plants will be available for sale throughout the evening. The Plant Barn and Gifts 406 Entler Ave Chico, Ca 95928 530-345-3121/fax 530-345-5354 www.theplantbarn.com
May 3 – Chico: 31st Annual St John’s Garden Tour St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church of Chico is hosting their 31st annual Garden Tour on Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature 5 unique gardens. Ticket cost is $25 in advance or $30 the day of the tour. Price includes 5 gardens, luncheon and a plant boutique. Garden locations and a map are printed on the tickets. Tickets are available at 12 Chico and Paradise locations. For more information, please contact St. John’s Episcopal Church at 894-1971, or visit the church web-site at www.stjohnschico.org.
May 3 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Charlie Rabbit and His Friends 10:30 am. Join us the first Saturday of every month for an interactive program in the Gardens (or Greenhouse when it rains) for children, their siblings, parents and Grandparents. Join Charlie, our adorable jack rabbit puppet, in various gardening activities. Wear your favorite gardening clothes! Presented by Rick and Kandi Barnett. Free with park admission! Meet at Gardens West Entrance, located off Arboretum Drive next to Turtle Bay’s McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Nursery. More info: http://www.turtlebay.org
May 3 – Chico: Butte Environmental Council’s 33rd annual Endangered Species Faire The Webs of Life 11 am – 5 pm One Mile Picnic Area, Chico. The Faire and the Procession of the Species Parade of Puppets is designed to give local school classrooms, government agencies, environmental organizations and community groups a public forum to present information on ecology, wildlife and a host of environmental issues. The Faire offers teachers an opportunity to develop an environmental education project as part of their classroom curriculum. Schools from the districts of Chico, Paradise, Durham, Oroville, Corning, and Orland participate in the resource fair, making K-12 grade students the primary participants and visitors of the Faire. Each class researches an environmental challenge, illustrates the problem and possible solutions, and presents their results to the general public as part of a booth display or activity. The Faire facilitates networking between teachers and students, state and federal resource agencies, and environmental organizations. For more info: http://www.endangeredspeciesfaire.org/
May 3 – Redding: Shasta Rose Society Spring Rose Garden Tour 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Cost will be $15.00/per ticket Five Gardens have been selected for the tour and one garden will have Rose plants and Rose Petal Jelly for sale plus 3-5 vendors. Self touring with maps to each of the gardens in the ticket/program. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: Wyntour Gardens on Airport Rd. Gold Leaf Nursery on Churn Creek Rd. Jose Antonio’s on Hartnell Ave. Lassen Landscape Materials on Churn Creek Rd. Axner Excavating, Inc. on Old Oregon Trail Vic Hannan Landscape Materials on Hwy 273 in Anderson, CA. Creekside Gardens on Twin View Blvd. Money raised from this event is used to sponsor horticultural scholarships at Shasta College. For more info: http://www.shastarosesociety.org/Shasta_Rose_Society/Home.html
May 3 – Mt. Shasta: Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens Workshop: Roses: Care and Pruning: Mt Shasta. Spring Hill Nursery Professionals offer a demonstration for rose care including how and what to prune and how to plant and feed roses for health and prolific blooming. Free and open to teens and adults 10 am to 12 noon. Please bring a chair. Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens, 1234 Nixon Rd. (530)926-2565.
PHOTO: Spring maidia and larkspur wildflowers.
May 3 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Field Trip – McConnell Foundation Churn Creek Preserve. This fieldtrip will be on the McConnell Foundation property along Churn Creek to identify native plants and observe an ongoing restoration work of removing invasive species and planting many native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses. This walk will be led by David Ledger and our local CNPS grass expert, David Fritchle. McConnell Foundation employees will be on hand to talk about the work they are doing—planting native grasses and removing invasives. This will be an easy walk of about 3 miles, and walk leaders will identify plants for participants. Expect to see familiar riparian plants such as valley oak, buttonwillow, spice bush, pipevine, Oregon ash, and blue elderberry. A free plant list will be provided to participants. No dogs, please. Meet at the end of Tidmore Lane off College View Drive at 9 AM. For more information, call 355-8542. For more info: http://www.shastacnps.org
May 3 & 4 – Davis: Center for Urban Horticulture: Your Sustainable Backyard Series: Rose Days Come hear famous Rosarian Charles Boyd speak and learn about roses. Take a tour of Foundation Plant Services 8 acre rose fields which are only open to the public once each year on Rose Day. Event is free to all. Roses will be for sale. I will send out a link to register in April as the date approaches. http://ccuh.ucdavis.edu
May 4 – Chico: Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society Field Trip: Camp Creek Road to Mayaro 9 am. meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot with lunch, water, sun/insect protection, proper footwear and money for ride-sharing. We’ll drive around 30 miles via Highway 70 to the old railroad town site of Pulga. From there we’ll go two miles on Camp Creek Road above the Feather River to Mayaro, the site of a 1920’s resort, making stops to see fritillaries, snowdrop bush and fawn lilies. We’ll have lunch by a waterfall on Camp Creek at about 2000 feet. No hiking involved. Camp Creek Road is unpaved, narrow and rough and recommended only for high-centered vehicles. We’ll attempt to accommodate those in conventional cars by ride-sharing. Call Wes at 530-342-2293 for alternate meeting location. For more information see website at mountlassen.cnps.org
May 4 – Chico: Cultivating Community North Valley: Work Day at Jarvis Gardens Senior Apartments 1 – 4 P.M., BBQ at 4. CULTIVATING COMMUNITY INVITES YOU TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO THE JARVIS GARDENS SENIOR APARTMENTS LOCATED AT 2001 NOTRE DAME BLVD ON SUNDAY, MAY 4TH TO BUILD A NEW GARDEN! WE’LL START AT 1:00 P.M. AND END AT 4:00 FOR A BBQ! PLEASE COME AND SHARE THIS SWEET DAY WITH US! THE WORK DAY CONSISTS OF BUILDING A TOTAL OF 14 GARDEN BOXES. WAHOO! WE WILL ALSO BE PAINTING THE ORCHARD FENCE, BUILDING AND FILLING BOXES, AS WELL AS WORKING ON AN IRRIGATION RETROFIT, AND DISTRIBUTING SAWDUST FOR GARDEN PATHWAYS. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org. CULTIVATING COMMUNITY’S GOAL IS TO BUILD PARTICIPATION AND CAPACITY IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. AS A NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS WE PROVIDE HANDS-ON EDUCATION, CONSULTATION, NETWORKING, TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND TARETED RESOURCES FOR OUR TARGET AUDIENCE. CCNV IS SUPPORTED BY A 2011 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AWARDED TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHICO RESEARCH FOUNDATION, DIRECTED BY DR. LEE ALTIER. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS ON OUR WEBSITE. http://cultivatingcommunitynv.org
May 7 – Chico: Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society regular Monthly Meeting & Program Jim Bishop, “Plant Life of the California Deserts.” 7:30 pm Lake Oroville Visitor’s Center, 917 Kelly Ridge Road, Oroville. Our own Jim Bishop will present “Plant Life of the California Deserts.” This program will show some of the many adaptations to the arid life of the three deserts different deserts in California, the Sonoran, Mojave and Great Basin. For more information see website at mountlassen.cnps.org
May 9 – Chico: Friends of the Chico State Herbarium SPRING OPEN HOUSE 1 pm – 4 pm. Herbarium Open House May 9th in the Chico State Herbarium, CSUC Campus, Holt Hall Room 129.
PHOTO: Vase of Rosa ‘Redoute’, Rosa ‘A Shropshire Lad’ and pink coral bells (Heuchera ‘Rosada’)
May 10 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Field Trip – Yreka Siskiyou Arboretum Demonstration Garden and Native Plant Nursery, and China Hill. Join Jay & Terri Thesken for a fieldtrip to Yreka to visit the Siskiyou Arboretum Demonstration Garden and Native Plant Nursery at Greenhorn Park, and to see the special plants on China Hill east of town. Yreka is two hours north of Redding. We will leave from Redding, from the south parking lot on Parkview Avenue at Redding City Hall at 8 AM. The fieldtrip should be over in Yreka by 1–2 PM. Call Jay or Terri Thesken at 221-0906 for details. For more info: http://www.shastacnps.org
May 11 – Yreka: Shasta CNPS, Klamath & Shasta-Trinity National Forests and the Shasta Chapter of the CNPS present the 21st Annual Mother’s Day Wildflower Show 10 am – 4 pm at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds in Yreka. Hundreds of Native plants on display. Wildflower Photo Contest, Books, Posters and more. For more info call Marla Knight 530-841-4425 or http://www.shastacnps.org
May 12 – Paradise: Paradise Garden Club’s Monthly Meeting & Program: The Buzz on Bees with Master Gardener Tom Hansen Where: Terry Ashe Recreation Center, 6626 Skyway, Paradise When: 12:30 PM Program: Begins 1:00 PM. Speaker: Tom Hansen, Master Gardener Topic: “The Buzz on Bees” General Membership Meeting follows program. Plant Sale, Benefit Drawing, Refreshments.For more info: http://paradisegardenclub.org
May 13 – Chico: Chico Seed Lending Library 5-7pm near the CSLL area in the Chico Library. Butte County Library, Chico. You can view all the upcoming work parties on the CSLL Calendar here: https://chicoseedlendinglibrary.wordpress.com/csll-calendar/
May 14 – FULL MOON (Full Flower Moon)
May 15 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Monthly Meeting and Program by Jim Bishop “Plant Colors—Beauty and Science All Around Us” 7 – 9 pm. Chapter business followed by program. Jim will present his beautiful photographs showcasing the rich and varied colors displayed by plants, including their flowers, fruits, leaves, and stems, in various habitats ranging from desert to mountains, woodlands, and forests. Jim will talk about the science of how plant colors arise and how conditions such as acidity affect pigment colors. He will also discuss how color helps plants. Jim is not only the current Program Chair for the Mount Lassen Chapter, but he also takes hundreds of color photographs of plants for both aesthetics and illustrational examples. Jim’s educational background includes physics, earth and atmospheric science, biochemistry, plant physiology, and much self-education about the science of plant color. He finds plants to be an endless source of enjoyment and interest and looks forward to showing others what he has seen. Meet at 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). A Board meeting will be held before the regular meeting, at 5:30 PM at Angelo’s Pizza Parlour in the Foundry Square, 1774 California Street, Redding. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more info: http://www.shastacnps.org
May 17 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Field Trip: Davis Gulch Trail. This will be a fairly easy 3.5-mile walk at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, but does have some rough terrain, so some agility is required. The trail starts out under a canopy of canyon live oak, black oak, and conifers with an understory of snowdrop bush; transitions to bigleaf maple and white alder in a canyon with sword fern, chain fern, bracken fern, and maidenhair fern; climbs through chaparral and a thick grove of Brewer’s oak; and ends in a grove of ponderosa pine. There are many different wildflowers, shrubs, and trees on this trail. Participants will receive a copy of a plant list for this trail. Meet at Redding City Hall south parking lot on Parkview Avenue at 9 AM, or at the trailhead at 9:30 AM. Parking passes are required. No dogs, please. For more information, call David Ledger at 355-8542.
May 17 – Mt. Shasta: Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens Workshop: Creating Toad Habitats:Local Artist Lucinda Macy describes the benefits of attracting toads into your gardens. Learn how and where to build your own toad habitats. Create artistically appealing toad habitats and houses. Free and fun for all ages, 10 am to 12 noon. Please bring a chair. Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens, 1234 Nixon Rd. (530)926-2565.
May 17 – Chico: GRUB Education: Bike Garden Tour 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. GRUB Education Program Presents: A Garden Bike Tour Fundraiser MAY IS BIKE MONTH AND THE GRUB EDUCATION PROGRAM IS HAVING ITS ANNUAL GARDEN BIKE TOUR FUNDRAISER ON SATURDAY, MAY 17TH! TOUR BEGINS AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE CHICO PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER, LOCATED AT 526 BROADWAY STREET, AND ENDS AT NOON AT THE DOWNTOWN CHICO FARMERS’ MARKET! COME OUT TO ENJOY SEASONAL SNACKS AND GARDEN INSPIRATION AT EACH STOP ALONG THIS FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN RIDE! TICKETS ARE $10 AND MAY BE PURCHASED AT: CHICO NATURAL FOODS CO-OP, THE CHICO PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTER, AND AT G-R-U-B-C-H-I-C-O- (DOT) O-R-G, AS WELL AS THE DAY OF AT THE PEACE CENTER.
May 17 – Chico: Chico Permaculture Monthly Meeting 1 – 4pm, Butte County Library, Chico. CPG EDUCATION: (Always free and open to the public) The soil food web. Ensuring your beneficial soil microorganisms are plentiful and diverse = healthy plants = less work and less cost for you. We will share all kinds of info about the soil food web including the recent workshop Stephanie attended with Dr. Elaine Ingham about how to use a microscope to analyze the microorganisms in your compost, compost tea and soil. Hopefully she will have a microscope by then to give everyone a good demonstration! But if not CPG member Bob Campbell has generously offer us the use of his microscope, thanks Bob!! NEWS/UPDATES:** **New CPG Blog: http://chicopermaculture.wordpress.com/ WHAT TO BRING: **Please bring a small dish to share as well as your own dishes, utensils and cup for the POTLUCK –beverages will be provided. There are limited dishes available in the library so please remember to bring your own if you can. **If you have anything in SURPLUS (vegetables, home preserved food, eggs, fruit, seed, plant starts etc.) please bring it along and we’ll ‘Share the Surplus’ after the Potluck. For more info:https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicopermacultureguild/
PHOTO: Peony ‘Alexander Fleming’.
May 17 – Davis:UC Davis Arboretum Arboretum Plant Sale 9 a.m.-1 p.m., UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery (Garrod Drive near La Rue Road, across from Vet Med), UC Davis campus. THE NEW FRONT YARD: Prepare your landscape for long-term water conservation with attractive, drought-tolerant, easy-care, region-appropriate plants including a large selection of California natives and Arboretum All-Stars. Not a member? Join at the door! All members receive 10% off their purchases; new members also receive an additional $10 off as a thank you for joining. The benefits of membership far outweigh your cost! For more information on the benefits of membership visit: http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/join_the_friends.aspx. The event is free; parking is free and available in nearby. For more information and directions, visit http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/calendar.aspx or call (530) 752-4880.
May 17 – Chico: Butte Rose Society Members Only Rose Garden Tour 9 am. For information on becoming a member and registering for the tour, Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butte-Rose-Society/189382585776 Contact us by mail: Butte Rose Society at P.O. Box 8888 in Chico, CA 95927. For more info: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org
May 17 – Fair Oaks: Fair Oaks Horticulture Center Workshop: 8:30 – 10:30 am. Hear about water saving ideas for the garden and landscape. Get tips on irrigation systems and selecting a controller. Take a water efficient landscape tour. For more Info: http://ucanr.edu/sites/sacmg/Fair_Oaks_Horticulture_Center/Workshop_Schedule/
May 18 – Chico: Friends of the Chico State Herbarium Workshop: Wild Food Wander with Wolfgang Rougle Learn about the wild foods in the Sacramento Valley including their historical uses by early settlers and indigenous peoples. Take a walk outdoors to identify edible and medicinal plants in the field. Learn about native plants that have provided sustenance to Californians for thousands of years, and re-discover notorious invasives that happen to be long-overlooked sources of nutrition and healing. Wolfgang Rougle is both a local organic farmer and the author of Sacramento Valley Feast! How to Find, Harvest, and Cook Local Wild Food All Year Long. Her book, which covers 70 local edible and medicinal species, will be available for sale at the workshop. Wolfgang operates Springfed Organic Farm & Nursery west of Cottonwood, CA. The workshop will meet Sunday May 18, 2014 from 1 pm to 4 pm. The walk will meet in Bidwell Park at Sycamore Field parking lot. Bring a camera, walking shoes, water and a hat. Registration fee will be $25. Please register in advance; class size is limited to 25 participants. For more information about the workshop content please contact Wolfgang Rougle at springfedfarm@yahoo.com For more information about the workshop registration please contact the Biology Office at (530) 898-5356 or jbraden@csuchico.edu
May 18 – Chico: Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society FIELD TRIP: Natural Bridge, Trinity National Forest 8:30 am The location is 100 miles from Chico, northwest of Platina off Wildwood Road, at 2800 feet elevation. The trail is quite rough in spots.The site has geological interest with a natural limestone bridge about 150 feet long and 30 feet high. There are several distinct botanical habitats within a small area. There are at least three species of orchids, and we hope to see one of the two rare Cyprepedium in bloom. The area is also the site of a massacre of Native Americans in 1852 while they camped at this sacred site. Our guest Ted Dawson, of the Nor-wel-Muk Wintu Tribe, will describe the massacre, the mystical significance of the Natural Bridge, and the uses of some plants in the area. Donations will be accepted for his gas and lunch expenses. Participation is limited to 20 and reservations are required. Call Marjorie at 530-343-2397 to secure a spot and to arrange an alternate meeting spot. For more information see website at mountlassen.cnps.org
May 18 – Chico: Perma-Fun-K Permaculture Hands on Workshops with Rosa Maicas: Water Catchment 2165 Holly Ave, Chico $30 Students and $40 for the community. Bring a ‘lunch, rubber clothes ‘wear old clothes’. SEE MORE on Facebook Permafunk.com and OUR website: Perma-fun-K.com Register at: perma_funKchico@yahoo.com 239) 272 9661 We appreciate the RSVP please. Bring friends this is ‘labor intensive’ and it goes up EASIER when we have MORE HANDS working the project!!! Rosa Maicas is a certified permaculture designer and is the founder of the educational non-profit Perma-Fun-K. Perma-Fun-K offers hands on permaculture workshops and lectures for children and adults in California and Spain. Permaculture is an eco design science that uses deep observation and applies methods and techniques to mimic nature systems and adapt them to our education, economy, housing, farming and wild-life. For more info visit: Perma-fun-k.com.
May 21 – Chico: Chico Horticultural Society Monthly Meeting and Program 9:30 am coffee and social, 10 am member meeting, 11 am Program. General Public Welcome! For more information: Carol Jauregui
May 24 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Fieldtrip: Waters Gulch Trail. We will hope to see the Shasta snow-wreath in bloom on this 3.5-mile walk on Waters Gulch Trail near Shasta Lake, as well as firecracker flower, snowdrop bush, red larkspur, and wild ginger. The trail is shaded most of the way by a mixed conifer and hardwood forest with some chaparral. Excellent plant diversity on the trail. Not a difficult walk, but some uneven terrain. There is poison oak along sections of the trail. Please note earlier meeting time: meet at Redding City Hall south parking lot on Parkview Avenue at 8:30 AM. No dogs, please. For more information, call David Ledger at 355-8542.
May 24 – Mt. Shasta: Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens Workshop: Using Metal in the Garden: Jeff Weiss shares his wisdom in constructing cold frames, fencing, benches, counters, and more using recycled metal. Learn how to repurpose, shape and build long lasting structures with metal snips and a cordless drill. Free and open to teens and adults 10 am to 12 noon. Please bring a chair. Spring Hill Nursery & Gardens, 1234 Nixon Rd. (530)926-2565.
May 25 – Chico: Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society field trip: Upper North Fork of the Feather River, Plumas National Forest 9 am. meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot with lunch, water, sun/insect protection, proper footwear and money for ride-sharing. We’ll drive 65 miles one way, mostly on Highway 70 to the Caribou Arm of the river, where we’ll make roadside stops to see Shasta lilies, lady’s slippers and other orchilds and lilies where small streams cross the road. The road ends at PG&E’s 1920’s company town site and powerhouse. If trail conditions are satisfactory, we’ll walk along the river to about 3200 feet, crossing two footbridges along the way. Children will not be allowed on the trail portion of the field trip. As an option, people can view the area’s natural features along the paved road only. For more information, call Jerry at 530-893-5123. For more information see website at mountlassen.cnps.org
May 27 – Chico: Butte Rose Society General Member Meeting and Program When: Meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month starting at 7 pm From: January through May and August through November. Location: Chico Veterans Memorial Hall at 554 Rio Lindo Avenue in Chico, California. Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Butte-Rose-Society/189382585776 Contact us by mail: Butte Rose Society at P.O. Box 8888 in Chico, CA 95927. For more info: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org
May 31 – Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS Fieldtrip: McCloud River Falls Trail. David Ledger will lead this walk along the McCloud River Falls Trail with its three beautiful waterfalls. Pacific dogwood and Pacific yew are intermixed with other plants along the trail, including choke cherry, bitter brush, service berry, snowberry, pine violet, and bitter cherry. This is a 4-mile round trip hike with a 300-foot elevation gain—a fairly easy walk. A free plant list will be provided to participants. Bring plenty of water and lunch. No dogs, please. Meet at Redding City Hall south parking lot on Parkview Avenue at 9 AM. For more information, call David at 355-8542.
May 31 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Walk with Horticulture Manager Lisa Endicott 10:30 am. Bring your notebooks and cameras for this participant-driven program. 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 Gardens West Entrance, located off Arboretum Drive next to Turtle Bay’s McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Nursery. More info: http://www.turtlebay.org
PHOTO: A swirl of native pipevine.
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In a North State Garden is a twice-monthly 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.
