October Lectures

It’s not surprising that such a horticulturally rich area as Santa Barbara should attract some of the best and brightest minds in the field. A number of such talented people will be sharing their expertise in the coming week or so.

Annie Hayes is the proprietor of Annie’s Annuals & Perennials in Richmond, California. She not only grows some of the best plants for our Mediterranean climate, she has an eye toward using them in stunning and colorful combinations in gardens. Her illustrated lecture on Friday, October 10, at 6:30 p.m. will showcase California natives that already are well adapted to our environment as well as other choices from around the world. It happens at Blakesly Library at the S.B. Botanic Garden; reservations required. Call 682-4726 x102.

Dr. Lee Klinger is a noted scientist and ecological consultant from Big Sur. He has spent many years observing our native California ecological zones, with a particular interest in oaks. He believes that many oaks are in decline throughout the state because Native Americans are no longer actively managing their growth and health through the use of wildfire, among other things. He will present a workshop on techniques such as lime washing, use of mineral fertilizers, brush clearing, and mulching to treat oak trees. The workshop takes place Saturday, October 11, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at La Casa de Maria. Call 969-5031 to register.

A panel of S.B. experts, including John Kelley, cofounder of the Sustainability Project, is presenting a series of lectures at the Faulkner Gallery (in the downtown S.B. Public Library) about sustainable landscape management and lifestyles. For the lineup and schedule, visit the SBCC Center for Sustainability Web site at sustainability.sbcc.edu.

Also, scroll down on that site to check out Heather Flores, the author of Food, Not Lawns. She will present a slideshow and book-signing on Wednesday, October 8, at the Goleta Valley Community Center and then lead a workshop called How to Turn Your Yard Into a Garden and Your Neighborhood Into a Community, on Friday-Sunday, October 10-12, at Fairview Gardens.

Tips

• Plant individual garlic cloves and “seed” potatoes for spring harvest.
• Shop for fall foliage plants now. What you see is what you will get every year.
• Get ready for winter rains by creating diversions for rainwater to areas where it can percolate into the soil instead of rushing to the sea in the storm drain