Home & Garden: Drought workshop for gardeners

HEALDSBURG: Master Gardeners drought workshop

Recognizing that water conservation must become a way of life as populations grow, straining resources, the Sonoma County Master Gardeners will teach a workshop on adjusting to a new way of thinking during an upcoming workshop, “Landscape Strategies for Drought and Beyond.”

The Sept. 6 talk at the Healdsburg Library by water-efficient landscaper Susan Foley, will cover how to prioritize if water demand outpaces supply and what to do to create climate-appropriate gardens that will survive drought conditions. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 139 Piper St., Healdsburg. Free. For more information visit sonomamastergardeners.org.

ROHNERT PARK: Tips on fall, winter garden crops

The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of garden fresh vegetables. Now is the time to start planting for fall and winter crops. Master Gardener Steve Albert will give tips on the essentials of growing cool weather greens and root vegetables, as well as setting seeds and transplanting starts, during a free talk Sept. 6 at the Rohnert Park/Cotati Regional Library. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 6250 Lynn Conde Way. For information visit sonomacountymastergareners.org.

HOPLAND: Harvest Moon Celebration

The Solar Living Institute throws a Harvest Moon Celebration on Sept. 6, a day of activities, music, food, educational tours and information on healthy and sustainable living.

Renowned acoustic guitarist Alex de Grassi and jazz guitarist Mimi Fox will perform on the main stage. Guest speakers include poet and recording artist John Trudell, actor and activist Billy Parish of Mosaic and community farmer Stephen Decater.

The event runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is free although a $10 donation is encouraged. Camping is available by reservation.

The non-profit Solar Living Center is a 12-acre sustainable living demonstration site that is home to the Solar Living Institute. 13771 S. Highway 101, Hopland. For information call 472-2450, email sli@solarliving.org or visit solarlivingevents.org.

GLEN ELLEN: Take bitterness out of olives

Get ahead of the harvest by learning how to de-bitter your olives during a workshop Sept. 7 at B.R. Cohn Winery.

Olive expert Don Landis will lead the class, which will also cover the many varieties of olives, tips for when to harvest and more. The workshop will close with a tasting of olives with cheese and crackers.

B.R. Cohn is known for its 120-year-old olive orchard. $20. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To RSVP call 800-330-4064, Ext. 124. 15000 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen.

SANTA ROSA: High-nectar flower gardens

Learn how to create a garden full of flowers high in nectar and pollen year-round during a free workshop Sept. 6 at the Rincon Valley Library led by Master Gardener Cheryl Venetto. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 6959 Montecito Blvd. Santa Rosa. For more information visit sonomacountymastergardeners.org.

SANTA ROSA: Iris Society rhizome sale

The Santa Rosa Iris Society will throw its annual rhizome sale on Sept. 6 featuring more than 100 varieties in every color available to get your spring garden going now.

Society embers will also be on hand to share information and offer demonstrations on how to divide your rhizomes. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. 433-8633.

SONOMA: Safe use of garden chemicals

Dennis Przybycien, a retired chemist with Kaiser Aluminum, will give a talk Sept. 4 before the Valley of the Moon Garden Club on the safe use or non-use of chemicals in the garden to control pests, disease and weeds.

Przybycien, a Sonoma County Master Gardener and accomplished home winemaker, will offer a balanced view on garden management. A meet and greet precedes the 7 p.m. presentation, which is followed by refreshments and a plant drawing. $5 for non-members. Sonoma Veteran’s Building 126 1st. St. E., Sonoma. For information visit vom-garden-club.com.

WINDSOR: Compost through vermiculture

Learn how to create your own rich compost with worms during a free workshop Sept. 6 at the Windsor Regional Library.

Master gardener Jennifer Roberts will cover the basics of vermiculture, touching on everything from how it works and what is needed to how to maintain your worm box and how to use worm castings. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 9291 Old Redwood Highway, Building 100, Windsor. For information visit sonomamastergardeners.org.

You can direct home and garden news to Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.