The Ojai Garden monarch butterflyFrom the numerous private gardens found throughout Ojai to outdoor Ojai destinations to over a million acres of national forest, The Ojai Garden is the greater Ojai Valley as a giant natural garden to explore, cultivate and learn from.

August 15, 2010

Saving Seeds With Julian Hoyle

Thirty-four people came to the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden Saturday to attend master gardener Julian Hoyle's workshop on seed collection.SeedSave10Web1.jpgJulian, an excellent speaker who has worked in the seed industry all over the world, shared his vast knowledge of all things seed-related with the workshop participants.SeedSave10Web2.jpgJulian began by giving the group a crash course in basic botany, that included a lesson in plant genetics. Participants learned how to select a plant to use for seed collection, when to harvest seeds, how to extract seeds, how to prepare seeds for storage, and the best ways to store them. SeedSave10Web4.jpg After the talk, Julien wowed everyone when he demonstrated how to pollinate a tomato flower by hand. When the demonstration was finished, Julian led the group into the garden. SeedSave10Web5.jpg Participants were able to see a variety of plants that had gone to seed.SeedSave10Web6.jpg Julian showed the group which seeds were ready for harvest.SeedSave10Web3.jpg He also demonstrated how to remove seeds from different plants.SeedSave10Web7.jpgEveryone enjoyed the workshop and left ready to save seeds from their own gardens. Photos by Les Dublin.

August 07, 2010

Saving Seeds

Learn everything you need to know to start saving seeds from your garden at this free workshop with Master Gardener Julian Hoyle. The workshop will cover the best methods for collecting, drying, and storing seed. You will also learn how to select plants that have good quality seed. Saving Seeds workshop10.jpg Save money, share seeds with friends, and help preserve rare, endangered, and heirloom plants. You may even create your own heirlooms! The workshop will take place on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 10:00 am in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden. The garden is located at 401 South Ventura Street, behind City Hall. Seating on the benches is limited, so feel free to bring a chair for a comfortable seat.

August 04, 2010

Jojoba

Volunteers planted tiny jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) seedlings in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden last week. The plants were propagated for the garden and donated by Larry and Donna of the La Ronna Jojoba Company.babyjojoba10.jpg Jojoba is a California native that lives in the desert, so it is drought tolerant.babyjojoba10b.jpg The deep roots of these attractive shrubs will help prevent erosion on the slope, and the leaves and seeds, which are known for the high quality oil that is used in many skin and hair care preparations, will provide food for wildlife. Photos by Les Dublin.

July 29, 2010

Teamwork

A charming new sign in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden may have a small footprint, but it took the combined effort of 4 people to bring the concept to finished product. takeOnlyPictures10.jpg The design by the garden's coordinator was turned over to Matilija Junior High shop teacher Lee Burns, who found a talented student volunteer, Max Metlen, to make the wooden sign and carve and paint the letters. Then garden volunteer and skilled woodworker Ted Precht stepped in to put a protective coating over the wood and mount the sign to a post. Thanks everyone! Photo by Les Dublin.

July 06, 2010

Volunteers Wanted!

Come to a short meeting on Saturday, July 10th at 9:00 A.M to learn what's going on and how you can sign up to volunteer in the beautiful City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden. Stay as long as you like to help out in the garden. ladybug.jpg
All are welcome to participate. If you would like to be involved in any aspect of the garden, please come by. There’s plenty to do, so come join us. Many hands make light work! The garden is located at 401 South Ventura St, behind City Hall. Photo by Les Dublin.

June 26, 2010

Loving that Lavender

The City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden once again played a role in the Ojai Lavender Festival. lavender10web1.jpg Volunteers were present all day to greet guests, answer questions and show them the beds of lavender in the garden. lavender10web2.jpg Many visitors enjoyed strolling through the tranquil garden and discovering it for themselves. The garden coordinator also conducted 2 tours of the garden. Out of town visitors were very impressed with Ojai's "hidden treasure," and plan to return to see the garden at different times of the year. lavender10web3.jpg The garden looked beautiful, with most of the lavender in bloom, along with many other plants.lavender10web4.jpgPhotos by Les Dublin.

June 21, 2010

Lavender Festival

Come visit the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden during the Ojai Lavender Festival on Saturday, June 26. LAV_FEST_POSTER_WEB.jpgVolunteers will be in the garden all day, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to greet guests, show them beds of fragrant lavender, and answer questions about the garden. In addition, there will be free tours of the garden at 11:30 and 3:30. The garden is just a few short blocks from Libby Park, at 401 South Ventura Street, behind City Hall.