From 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.
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.
Julian, 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.
Julian 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. 
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. 
Participants were able to see a variety of plants that had gone to seed.
Julian showed the group which seeds were ready for harvest.
He also demonstrated how to remove seeds from different plants.
Everyone enjoyed the workshop and left ready to save seeds from their own gardens. Photos by Les Dublin.
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. 
Jojoba is a California native that lives in the desert, so it is drought tolerant.
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.
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.
Volunteers were present all day to greet guests, answer questions and show them the beds of lavender in the garden. 
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. 
The garden looked beautiful, with most of the lavender in bloom, along with many other plants.
Photos by Les Dublin.
Volunteers 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.