September 23, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lake Merritt Trials Garden
666 Bellevue Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610
Contact: Aixa Gannon
Sponsor: UC Master Gardener Program of Alameda County
David Blood will be speaking about cover crops (green manure) that are planted in the fall and then cut down and turned into the soil in early spring. Advantages include weed suppression, adding nitrogen, improving soil, preventing erosion.
NOTE: There is a $5 Parking fee on weekends. Lines can be long to enter the park by car.
Are you interested in learning how to prune an apple or pear tree, or in refining those skills? Join us for this hands-on workshop, as we discuss and demonstrate the best ways to shape semi-dwarfed pome fruit trees for better fruiting, summer sun penetration and access to the tree come harvest time!
NOTE: The orchard grounds where this workshop will be held are slightly uneven, and during the winter may be cold and/or damp. Attendees must be able to traverse the area on foot.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Please wear sturdy shoes, galoshes, hiking boots or work boots.
- Bypass pruning shears
- Gardening/work gloves
- Other pruning equipment such as a pruning saw and/or loppers
- Protect your eyes from errant twigs and branches by bringing clear safety goggles or safety glasses if you have them (sunglasses will also work, in a pinch).
- Even in February you can work up a thirst while pruning, so you may want to bring a water bottle.
This event is adults only, please. We know that interest will exceed the space available and will keep a waiting list. If you register and are unable to attend, we need you to cancel at least 3 days in advance so that we can offer your space to someone else. Please cancel by emailing info@alamedabackyardgrowers.org.
Farm2Market is a social enterprise that is part of Alameda Point Collaborative. APC works to end homelessness by providing housing and services to create communities where formerly homeless families and individuals can flourish.
Please NOTE: If rain is forecast for the morning of the workshop, attendees will be notified of cancellation via email the day before (Friday, February 9). The pruning workshop will be rescheduled for the next possible Saturday morning where rain is not forecast (2/17, 24 or 3/2). We will email attendees by the Thursday before the rescheduled workshop.
Tora Rocha, co-founder of Pollinator Posse and formerly Parks Supervisor for the City of Oakland, will lead a tour of the various pollinator habitats at the Gardens of Lake Merritt and help us learn how to keep a healthy ecosystem thriving in our own gardens.
The Pollinator Garden is located next to the Bonsai Garden, just northwest by a few steps. On Google Maps, it’s labeled “Bee Hotel Garden.”
There is a fee for parking.
This event is hosted by the Master Gardeners of Alameda County.
