Home & garden news, upcoming events

'Shabby Chic' founder talks new book

Rachel Ashwell, founder of the original “Shabby Chic” brand of furnishing, linens and accessories, will talk about her newest book, “Shabby Chic Inspirations” Oct. 13 at Pedersen's in downtown Santa Rosa.

The 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. event includes a wine and cheese reception with Ashwell before her talk.

Reservations are recommended by Oct. 11 to ensure a seat, but are not required. Call 542-1855. Pedersen's is at 707 5th St.

SANTA ROSA

Last change for plants

Saturday, Oct. 8, is your last chance to pick up bargain plants grown by the Sonoma County Jail Industries.

The program, which educates and trains low-risk inmates in horticulture, throws its final Open House and Plant Sale of the season from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 8.

Look for trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers, grown in compost without fertilizers or pesticides. Salegoers can also walk through a demonstration garden for ideas and ask questions of master gardeners. At the North County Detention Facility, 2254 Ordinance Road, Santa Rosa, 525-8310.

SANTA ROSA

Container Gardening 101

Learn how to combine bulbs to create one-of-a-kind arrangements during a talk and demonstration on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens.

Susan Hatch, manager and lead designer for King's Nursery in Santa Rosa, will share tricks of the trade for successful container gardening. Cost is $10 paid at the door. Seating is limited so reserve ahead by calling 524-5445. 7 p.m. The garden is at the corner of Santa Rosa and Sonoma avenues in Santa Rosa. For information visit lutherburbank.org.

SEBASTOPOL

Tour the Luther Burbank Experiment Farm

The Luther Burbank Experiment Farm in Sebastopol celebrates the change of season Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, with fresh pressed cider, plants for sale, live music, guided tours and more.

This is a chance to stock up on plants, some developed by Burbank himself. Look for Chilean Guava, Catalina Cherry, Mountain Ash, Chinese Quince, 'Surprise' daylily, Kniphofia ('Tower of Gold'), 'Snowbank' white fruited blackberry, Golden Bamboo, Burbank hybrid Amarcrinum and many varieties of Shasta daisies.

Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions and Burbank's historic cottage will be open. The grounds have tables so bring a picnic, although there will also be cookies and coffee to snack on. Kids can learn how to make rope and help press apple cider.

Gold Ridge Farm is where Luther Burbank performed most of the experiments that resulted in the creation of more than 800 new varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. Three acres of the original 18 are maintained by the Western Sonoma County Historical Society and are open to the public, free of charge.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The farm is above Burbank Heights and Orchards senior housing complex at 7777 Bodega Ave. For information call 481-3488

SONOMA COUNTY

Free workshops by master gardeners

The Sonoma County Master Gardeners are holding free workshops throughout the county on Oct. 15. Call 565-2608 or visit www.sonomamastergardeners.org. All classes are from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For information call 565-2608 or visit www.sonomamastergardeners.org.

Turn Kitchen Scraps into Compost: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Harvest for the Hungry Garden, 1717 Yulupa Ave. in Santa Rosa. Learn how to set up different types of worm-box systems and harvest the resulting soil for planting. Led by Heidi Stewart, coordinator of the county's waste management school worm-box program, where she teaches children about the value of composting and sustainable gardening. Harvest for the Hungry Garden, 1717 Yulupa Ave. in Santa Rosa.

Introduction to Seed Saving: Led by local expert Electra de Peyster. Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma. She will chart the cycle of starting, growing, gathering and storing seeds for this year's crop and beyond.

Winter Care for Fruit and Citrus Trees: What are the best fruit trees for this climate? Why don't some of your trees bare fruit? Master Gardener Brian Healey will answers those questions and more, during a workshop at the Rohnert Park/Cotati Regional Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way.

Design Your Garden for Year-Round Color: Master Gardener and landscape designer Linda King will discuss how to use foliar color and texture to create year-round interest in the garden. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Windsor Regional Library, 9291 Old Redwood Hwy. Bldg. 100.

ALBION

Fall sale, open house at Albion nursey

The remote and beautiful Digging Dog Nursery in Albion is holding its annual fall sale and open house Saturday, Oct. 8, and Oct. 15.

Visitors may explore the nursery's striking border gardens as well as pick up bargains on unusual, easy-to-grow, and water-wise plants. Free lemonade and consultations with co-owner and horticulturist Deborah Wigham will be offered from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Digging Dog has been featured garden magazines like Martha Stewart Living and House and Garden. It is wheelchair accessible. 31101 Middle Ridge Road, Albion. 937-1130 or diggingdog.com.

WINDSOR

'Harvest the Rain' author talks strategy

Permaculture expert Nate Downey, author of the new book “Harvest the Rain,” will talk about strategies for capturing precipitation during an appearance Tuesday, Oct. 10, in Windsor.

A permaculture landscape designer and installer in New Mexico, Downey will discuss how rainwater collection systems can increase your property value, lower your utility bills and create an oasis outside your door. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Windsor Town Council Chambers, 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 400. To register visit dailyacts.org. For information the day of the event call 332-1967 or Paul Piazza at 327-6931.

SANTA ROSA

Be a beekeeper

Master Gardener April Lance will show how to set up and acquire the food and equipment for your own bee hives from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Rincon Valley Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd.

The free workshop will cover how to create a simple habitat in the garden to nourish and attract bees. For more information, call 565-2608 or visit www.sonomamastergardeners.org.

You can direct Home and Garden News to meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.