From The Edible Landscape to Gifts from the Garden

Great Park to Host Five New Garden Workshops Beginning September 17

IRVINE – Do you want to learn how to grow edible plants in your backyard or make beautiful Asian salad blends from greens grown in your own garden? You’ll find out how when the Great Park launches its 2011 Fall Garden Workshops beginning September 17 at the Orange County Great Park Farm & Food Lab. All workshops are free to the public and run through November 5, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The five Saturday morning workshops are all organized by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County and will include: “The Edible Landscape,” “Wicked Bugs,” “The Salad Bowl Garden,” “Designing with California Friendly Plants,” and “Gifts from the Garden.”

“The Great Park garden workshop series offers everyone the opportunity to learn from master gardeners how to grow their own fresh, natural produce,” said Beth Krom, Chair of the Orange County Great Park Corporation. “These free workshops are an important element of our mission to promote community health.”

Garden Workshop Schedule
September 17, 2011 — The Edible Landscape
Nicholas Staddon, director of New Plants Introduction at Monrovia Nursery, will show how to incorporate blueberries and other culinary delights into your landscape.

October 8, 2011 – Wicked Bugs
Author Amy Stewart (Wicked Bugs) will discuss bugs gone wild. It’s an A - Z of insect enemies, interspersed with stories that explore bugs’ sometimes odd behavior and our sometimes irrational responses to bugs.
October 15, 2011 –The Salad Bowl Garden
Master Gardener Kay Havens will demonstrate how to make beautiful salad blends. Her seminar will include Asian greens as well as how to make garden additions for flavor and color.

October 29, 2011 — Designing with California Friendly Plants
Wendy Proud, landscape designer and horticulturist, will share her expertise on designing your landscape with California friendly plants. Great tips on creating beautiful natural settings that use less water.

November 5, 2011 – Gifts from the Garden
Join UCCE Master Gardeners for a presentation about herbs. Each attendee will assemble a three-plant herb pot which can be inserted into a pumpkin or basket to give as a holiday or hostess gift.