Calendar


Jul
27
Sat
2024
Getting Started with Native Plant Propagation @ The Gardens at Lake Merritt
Jul 27 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Getting Started with Native Plant Propagation @ The Gardens at Lake Merritt | Oakland | California | United States

This talk, which will be given by Master Gardener Laura Cornett, will cover propagating with seeds as well as vegetative propagation via cuttings and division. Preparation of propagules will be covered as well as after care for seedlings. Cornett has been an Alameda County Master Gardener since 2020. She is also part-time faculty as the Curriculum Coordinator and Laboratory Technician in the Horticulture Department at Las Positas College in Livermore. She is involved in the Native Plant Resource Team which is a division of the “Bringing Back the Natives Tour.” Her yard has been on this Tour three times, including this year.

No registration is required. The Master Gardeners’ Trials Garden is located in the Gardens of Lake Merritt, at Lakeside Park, 666 Bellevue Avenue in Oakland. Enter at Gate 4 across from the Boathouse. There is a fee for parking.

Aug
10
Sat
2024
Summer Stone Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop
Aug 10 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Summer Stone Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop

Here in the SF Bay Area, annual pruning of Apricot and Cherry trees is carried out in July or August rather than in the winter. This protects these varieties from a specific fungal infection that may occur if pruning cuts are made in cold, wet weather. August is also an excellent time to prune back excess, leggy growth on Plum and Pluot trees. Refresh your pruning skills or learn the fundamentals of Summer Stone Fruit Tree pruning. Marla Koss, our pruning teacher extraordinaire, will lead another great, FREE, hands-on, how-to pruning session in Alameda.

Thank you to everyone who attended!

 

Aug
24
Sat
2024
How to Grow Large Sweet Onions and Winter Gardening Tips @ Lake Merritt Trials Garden
Aug 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

The UC Master Gardeners Alameda County invite you to a Garden Talk:

Have you tried to grow onions and been unsuccessful? Don’t feel bad as onions can be difficult to grow. Join Guy Duran, Master Gardener and award-winning onion grower, to learn the secret of successfully growing your own sweet onions. Guy will also cover the basics of winter gardening and tell you why you should start planning your winter crops in August!

FREE; no registration required. The garden is located in the Gardens of Lake Merritt, at Lakeside Park, 666 Bellevue Avenue in Oakland. Enter at Gate 4, across from the Boathouse. There is a fee for parking.

Talks are subject to change based on availability of speakers. Check the Master Gardeners of Alameda County website for updates.

Sep
21
Sat
2024
Free Talk on Cover Crops @ Lake Merritt Trials Garden
Sep 21 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free Talk on Cover Crops @ Lake Merritt Trials Garden

FREE Talk on Cover Crops
Saturday , September 21, 2024 – 11AM – 12 Noon

Presented by Alameda County Master Gardener – David Blood

As the season cools, it’s a great time to grow cover crops. During the off-season, cover crops can improve soil nutrients, prevent erosion, create mulch, and more. Learn about the benefits and how to plant cover crops with Master Gardener, David Blood. Talk topics are subject to change based upon speaker availability and attendees’ interest.

At Gate 4, Trials Garden Gardens at Lake Merritt
666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland CA (There is a fee for parking.)
interest. All talks are in person and outdoors and may be canceled in rain or severe weather.

LEARN MORE HERE.

Oct
19
Sat
2024
Hands-On Seed Saving Workshop @ Alameda Free Library
Oct 19 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

In partnership with the Alameda Free Library

Held in the Library Community Room, 1550 Oak Street, Alameda

Civilization began when humans began to save and plant seeds. Come and learn about the seeds of common food plants we eat today. We’ll talk about the history of seeds, explore the different sizes and shapes of seeds, and explain how to grow plants for seed, including harvesting for viable seeds and collecting those seeds. We’ll focus on five seeds that are easily saved by the home gardener – beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers.

The talk will be followed by a hands-on exercise where participants will extract the seeds from a variety of different plant materials and package them up for both themselves and the seed library at the Alameda Free Library. SPACE IS LIMITED TO 50 PARTICIPANTS

Birgitt Evans has grown her own food on a large scale for the past 40 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 grows vegetables in three different Alameda County gardens and starts 90% of her plants from seed. She has been an Alameda County Master Gardener since 1999 and served on the board of Alameda Backyard Growers for 10 years.

Kristen Smeal (she/her) is a Master Gardener (2018) and volunteer for the Alameda Backyard Growers. In her role as the Garden Science teacher at St. Philip Neri School in Alameda, she is passionate about teaching children how to grow food and to care for the Earth and each other.

Free Seed Saving Class

Oct
26
Sat
2024
Propagating Native Plants @ Gate 4, Trials Garden, Gardens at Lake Merritt
Oct 26 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

FREE Talk on Propagating Native Plants

Saturday , October 26, 2024 – 11AM – 12:30PM
Presented by Alameda County Master Gardeners

Thank you to Laura Cornett for her hands-on workshop on California Native Plant Propagation: Seeds, Cuttings and Division. Participants had the opportunity to process cuttings, plant seeds and plant some rhizomes.

This talk focused on different propagation methods for California native plants.  In addition to the lecture, there will be a hands- on portion where attendees will be able to sow their own seeds, prepare and stick cuttings and pot up some native plant rhizomes.

Presenter Laura Cornett is an Alameda County Master Gardener and part-time faculty in Horticulture at Las Positas College in Livermore.

Laura Cornell Native Plant Propagation

Dec
8
Sun
2024
ABG Wreath-Making Workshop
Dec 8 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

When it comes to wreaths, do you prefer homemade to store-bought? Do you like to add your own touch and flare? If you like the DIY method, then please join us to create a beautiful, decorative Holiday Wreath — for your home or for a gift.

ABG’s 4th Annual, FUN, outdoor, in-Alameda Wreath-Making Workshop will be held Sunday, December 8, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, rain or shine! We will use gathered and purchased items to craft unique wreaths for the table, wall or door.

ABG will provide instruction, wreath forms, floral wire, glue, boughs, some natural gatherings, trimmings and light refreshments.

We ask attendees to bring some supplies of your choice such as: boughs, pine cones, grape or other vines, Eucalyptus branches, olive branches, magnolia leaves, ginkgo leaves, seed pods, shells, feathers, grasses, fresh herbs, dried fruit, ribbons, bows, and trinkets. Feel free to bring your own clippers as well.

The workshop fee is $35. Registration on EventBrite is required and we can only accommodate 25 adults. Children 10 years old and up may attend with an adult for an additional fee of $10 to be collected at the event.

Register here!

Please let us know at least 2 days in advance if you need to cancel, so we can let someone else take your place.

NOTES:

  • The workshop’s location will be sent to registrants
  • There is a restroom and ample parking.
  • It may be chilly so please wear layers.

wreath making workshop