GLEN ELLEN
Take a medicinal plant walk at Quarryhill
This stroll through Quarryhill Botanical Garden on Sept. 23 will shed light on plants that are recognized for varying health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine.
Author and grower Peggy Schafer of the Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm, along with Chinese Medicine Practitioner Sean Fannin will escort people through the maze of plants, paying tribute to the vast collection from East Asia. These plants are set in a secluded garden with meandering paths and ponds.
Schafer is the author of “The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A Cultivator’s Guide to the Small-Scale Organic Herb Production.” She is also a frequent lecturer at colleges of Oriental medicine.
Meanwhile Fannin specializes in Chinese herbalism, Medical Qigong and client education as a clinical practitioner of Chinese Medicine at The Center for Traditional Health Arts in Petaluma. The fee for the medicinal plant walk is $20, $15 for members.
10 a.m. to noon., Quarryhill Botanical Gardens, 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen, 707-996-3166, chelmer@quarryhillbg.org. Register at quarryhillbg.org
SANTA ROSA
Willowside School’s eclectic plant sale
The Willowside School Nursery will have thousands of plants for sale on Sept. 29, piquing the interest of growers with a range of offerings.
The variety includes drought-tolerant perennials, California natives, succulents, grasses and salvias. There also will be an assortment of beautiful plants to entice beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds into your garden.
The price for these plants is $4 for 1-gallon containers. Specialty Japanese Maples, 3 to 6 feet tall, are priced at $25 and up.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Willowside School Nursery, 5299 Hall Road, Santa Rosa, 707 569-4724.
SEBASTOPOL
Explore science behind cover crops
A free class on Sept. 29 will teach you about pragmatic farming at its best.
The class will delve into cover crops, which supply organic matter at levels to maintain a high state of productivity. Organic matter provides nitrogen and other soil nutrients to help crops succeed.
The soil microorganisms that feed on cover crops residue contribute to a healthier ecosystem and help prevent plant diseases.
10 a.m. to noon, Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery, 3244 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol. 707-823-9125, harmonyfarm.com.
SANTA ROSA
Learn how to care for dormant fruit trees
Fred Frey, the owner of Vintage Tree Care, will speak at the Santa Rosa Garden Club’s Monday meeting.
The certified arborist will share information about proper pruning tips and general maintenance for maximum tree health and fruit production. After more than two decades in the industry, Frey still enjoys instilling his passion for trees in others. He worked for nearly a decade with the city of Santa Rosa in the tree division of the Public Works Department.
1 p.m., Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa, Santa Rosa, gardenclubevents@yahoo.com.
GLEN ELLEN
Peruse plants during Quarryhill sale
If you fancy unique, there will be plenty of uncommon trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials with more than 130 species available at the plant sale today .
The inventory includes several species of magnolias, maples, roses, dogwoods and camellias. Nursery Manager Samantha Myhre said the reason for the autumn sale is because fall is the best time to plant. Winter rains, she said, will help plants take root.
