New Workshops!

Now that our retail store is closed on Saturdays this August and September we will hold weekly workshops on Fridays at 9 AM.  Lots of useful and exciting workshops this August including a Design Workshop August 6th, and a case-study of a school garden presented on August 27, so educators please come!  We will also repeat the ever popular Replace Your Lawn with Native Plants series in September, so please join us.

Friday, August 6, 2010 – 9:00 AM
Design Principles with Pat Overby



Garden designer Pat Overby will share her years of design experience, teaching the basic principles of California native garden design.  Pat developed and has taught the Sea and Sage Audubon (Orange County’s Audubon Chapter) Native Plant Garden curriculum since 2005.  Pat has worked within a variety of design constraints, and will be available to answer your specific questions.  See her designer profile here

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Friday, August 13, 2010 – 9:00 AM
Summer Plantable Natives and Planting Tips



While planting native plants in the warm summer months can be challenging, there are some that will tolerate warm season installation better than others.  You will need to take special care in selecting the right plants for your site as well as practicing a few tips to ensure  successful establishment.


  Download our Planting Guide and our Summer Water for Native Plants handouts for information about warm season plant care and establishment information.

Friday, August 20, 2010 – 9:00 AM
California Native Grasses for your Landscape



We have many beautiful native grass species here in California, so there is no need to search Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, South America, nor far afield on our own continent to find ornamental grass varieties for our gardens. Grasses, mostly perennial clumping varieties, have made an impressive debut onto the modern landscape scene.  Try a few native grasses in your garden.  They are the perfect compliment for just about every native design theme, and they are super easy to grow.  Many are ideal for planting in the warm summer months.  Tree of Life Nursery’s own Gene Ratcliffe will be teaching this class.


  See our recent article Masses of Grasses.

Friday, August 27, 2010 – 9:00 AM
Native and Edible Gardens for Schools: An Award-Winning Case Study


Kris Ethington will be speaking about the Award winning school garden at Concordia Elementary School in San Clemente, CA.  Their school garden was awarded the top award for “Operation Wildflower – Outdoor Classrooms” from the National Garden Clubs and a top award from California Garden Clubs Inc.  You will learn how Kris partnered with parents, teachers and students to create an enriching experience for all involved.  At the school, the young gardeners incorporated both edible garden plants and California native plants in attractive planter beds.   As a parent, Kris helped spearhead the school gardens and the Junior Gardener program at Concordia.  She will discuss how to develop school gardens and an outdoor nature curriculum that will continue for years after the original students, teachers, and parents have participated.  Read the OC Registers arcticle about the school garden.

Replace Your Lawn Series this September



Friday, September 3, 2010 – 9 AM – 10 AM

Replace Your Lawn I: Kill the Grass



Friday, September 10, 2010 – 9 AM – 10 AM

Replace Your Lawn II:  Creating and Caring for Your Native Garden




Friday, September 17, 2010 – 9 AM – 10 AM

Replace Your Lawn III: Plant Selection – Foundation Plants



Friday, September 24, 2010 – 9 AM – 10 AM
Replace Your Lawn IV: Plant Selection – Flowering Perennials



Hope you’re enjoying your summer and that you choose to spend some of it out here with us!