Calendar


Apr
17
Tue
2018
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Apr 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Learn about spring pests with Master Gardeners of Alameda County (MGAC).

May
15
Tue
2018
Fruit Tree Care @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
May 15 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

with Birgitt Evans & Marla Koss

Jun
9
Sat
2018
The Art of Pruning
Jun 9 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Take the mystery out of tree pruning with this hands-on workshop! Learn the basics and leave with skills you can start using immediately.
Topics covered include:

  • How trees grow
  • Why pruning keeps trees healthier
  • How trees react to pruning
  • Seasonal pruning
  • How to prune properly
  • Common pruning mistakes
  • Identifying a properly pruned true
    and more!

The workshop will also include a show-and-tell of different types of wood, branches, branch collars, compartmentalization of decay in trees. Bring your questions and come prepared for a fun interactive learning experience.
Tony Wolcott is a Certified Landscape Horticulturalist, Certified Irrigation Designer, Board Certified Master Arborist, Master Composter, and Bay Friendly Designer. His work experience includes being the urban forester at the Cities of Albany and San Francisco, non-profit work with Friends of the Urban Forest, Our City Forest, and arborist representative with Bartlett Tree Experts. Currently he is professor of Arboriculture within the Horticulture division of the Biology Department at Diablo Valley College.

Jun
21
Thu
2018
Alameda Garden Visit – FULL
Jun 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for Alameda Backyard Growers’ Second Annual Garden Tour. This year, Mary Sotelo is opening her beautiful garden, which showcases her love of color and edibles. Much is packed into a small backyard. Fruit trees are kept small to maximize space. Large containers are also used. In addition to fruit trees, berries and veggies, the garden includes chickens (who enjoy a chandelier in their coop), compost bins, and a garden wall of Talavera Mexican pottery. The garden is an important part of the curriculum of Mary’s preschool, allowing children to learn about gardening and where our food comes from.

About the gardener: Mary got her love of gardening from her grandmother at an early age. The last few years, she converted some of her flower beds into veggie beds, so she could have fresh, organic veggies right outside her door. For now, the garden is her perfect mix of art, flowers, and edibles.

This event is now full.

Jul
21
Sat
2018
Winter Seed Starting Talk & Demo @ Alameda Free Library
Jul 21 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

with David Blood, Master Gardener of Alameda County 
July 21, 2018, 2 to 3:30 pm
Alameda Main Library, 1550 Oak Street, Alameda

Yes, summer gardening may be starting to wind down.  But in the Bay Area, we can grow food three, or maybe even four, seasons of the year.  In the fall, some crops actually do better than in the summer, because pest problems may be fewer.  David Blood, long-time Alameda County Master Gardener, will speak on how to approach the fall and winter garden: what crops work and what to avoid, how to start seeds for the fall/winter garden, and other issues to consider.  David’s presentation will be followed by a seed starting workshop, featuring seeds suitable for the fall and winter garden.  Take home a six-pack of planted seeds and try out a fall/winter garden!

About our Speaker:  David Blood became an Alameda County Master Gardener in 2001, and has many years of experience growing food.  He co-leads the ACMG Lake Merritt Trials Garden, which conducts tests of which varieties do best in our moderate western Alameda County climate, provides presentations on growing food each summer, and showcases the plants named Outstanding Plants of Alameda County.

Aug
11
Sat
2018
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop @ Farm2Market
Aug 11 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop @ Farm2Market | Alameda | California | United States

August 11 Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, 10 am, Farm2Market, Alameda Point.

Birgitt Evans and Marla Koss will discuss how to prune deciduous fruit trees, and participants will have a chance to practice those skills.  Please wear garden gloves and bring pruners if you have them.

Sep
18
Tue
2018
Gardening Talk and Potluck @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Sep 18 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

A chance to come and share your garden successes, ask gardening questions, and catch up on the latest goings-on at ABG!

Oct
16
Tue
2018
Fruit Tree Selection @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Oct 16 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Many fruit trees grow well in Alameda, and winter is a great time to plant a new fruit tree.  Join us as Marla Koss and Birgitt Evans share their extensive knowledge and experience in raising fruit trees in Alameda.  They’ll demystify which trees work well here, which don’t, and why; why root stock is important; size considerations; and how to understand and work with chill hour requirements; and more. 

About our Speakers:  
Birgitt Evans has grown her own food on a large scale for the past 25 years and created a successful garden and nursery business.  She is passionate about growing and raising food and seeks to encourage and educate others so they can also share the benefits of fresh, healthy, homegrown food. She is an Alameda County Master Gardener and is presently the Alameda Backyard Growers president.  
Marla Koss has thirty-plus years of backyard mistakes and triumphs in Alameda and deep knowledge of fruit tree growing in Alameda.  In 2016 Marla helped design and implement Project Tree in partnership with The Alameda Sun, and continues to help shape its mission to plant more trees in Alameda.

Nov
27
Tue
2018
Rain Water Harvesting @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Nov 27 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

With Natalie Kilmer of the mini-farm consulting business The Little Acre. Natalie leads hands-on workshops with Greywater Action.

Note: This meeting is one week later than our normal meeting schedule.

 

Dec
11
Tue
2018
No December Meeting
Dec 11 @ 1:44 am – 2:44 am

No ABG meeting in December.