In the chilly (32 degrees) dark of 5 am this morning, as I gave my dogs their morning biscuits, I admired the form of the ‘Big Dipper’ almost directly overhead. I stood, bundled up, in the center of my starlit back garden - just admiring. Five am at the height of summer, I can be getting my coffee and heading out to begin playing in the garden, but in mid-December, as we near the richly-storied winter solstice - the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere - crisp early mornings make for a great star-gazing; the entire garden is a virtual planetarium. Photo: The Moon and Jupiter in close proximity in the winter night sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, several well-known constellations are associated with winter. While many people of think of the ‘Big Dipper’ as a constellation, it is in fact more accurately an asterism - or part of a constellation or larger group of stars. The ‘Big Dipper’ is a commonly recognizable asterism of the larger constellation known as Ursa Major.

As gardeners, perhaps, we are even more aware than many of the shifts in light and its relative availability throughout the seasons and the year. Cultures across the globe have long celebrated the winter solstice and held it dear as the day on which the dark has reached its peak. As of the winter solstice, with every subsequent day, we are headed back toward the life-renewing light - the full intensity of the Sun’s energy.

Many gardeners time their planting and harvest - both the time at which they plant and harvest as well as what they are planting and harvesting - based on the phases of the moon. They do this in order to take full advantage of the powerful influence of the Moon’s on Earth as seen through tidal shifts, etc. In particular, the gardening/agricultural philosophy known as Biodynamics uses the phases of the moon as one of the critical markers for gardening tasks. According to Biodynamics.com, biodynamics, based on the teachings of Rudolph Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy, is “a type of organic farming that incorporates an understanding of “dynamic” forces in nature not yet fully understood by science. By working creatively with these subtle energies, farmers are able to significantly enhance the health of their farms and the quality and flavor of food. It is ….. A recognition that the whole earth is a single, self-regulating, multi-dimensional ecosystem. Biodynamic farmers seek to fashion their farms likewise as self-regulating, bio-diverse ecosystems in order to bring health to the land and to their local communities.”

In thinking about the solstice and winter night sky in relation to my garden, I wondered about what the solstice actually was. To find out, I turned to friend and colleague Dave Schlom. Dave is a full-time science educator, and longtime host of Northstate Public Radio’s weekly program on planetary (including Earth) science, The Blue Dot Report. This week on In a North State Garden, Dave talks about what a solstice is and how it impacts us.

Let’s start with planet Earth and how it is positioned in space. The equator is what we call the great imaginary line (line of latitude) around Earth’s circumference. The equator lies half-way between the North Pole and the South Pole. Earth’s rotational axis is tilted 23.5° relative to the Sun. The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are lines of latitude 23.5° north and south, respectively, of the equator (Figure 3). The Sun is always directly above a point between these latitudes. In our winter, the Sun is south of the equator and in our summer it is north. What we in the Northern Hemisphere call the winter solstice, is the day that the Sun is 23.5° south of the equator, or directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. During the summer solstice, the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer, or 23.5° north of the equator. “That is why what we call the winter and summer solstices are perhaps more accurately referred to as the southern and northern solstices respectively,” explains Dave. Photo: NASA’s diagram of Earth’s position relative to the Sun at the time of a Northern Hemisphere Winter Solstice.

“In Latin,” he goes on, the word “’solstice” means ’sun stop’ because as ancient Roman people were tracking the arc of the Sun each day, it was at each ’solstice’ that the Sun seemed to stop in its tracks and begin to move back in the other direction - causing daylight hours to either get longer as after the winter solstice, or shorter, as after the summer solstice. The vernal and autumnal equinoxes occur at those moments twice a year when the Sun is directly over the equator, making for equal hours of daylight and dark. http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/imagee.htm

Why is it cold in winter and warm in summer in our part of the world? The seasons change due to Earth’s rotational axis being tilted 23.5° relative to the Sun. So, for half of the year (our winter), the Northern Hemisphere is pointed slightly away from the Sun. This angle makes sunlight hit the ground in the North State at a lower angle in winter than in summer. So energy coming from the Sun is spread out - and thereby made less intense - over a larger area on the ground.

Interestingly, notes Dave, while the winter solstice might mark an official beginning of winter, it is only rarely the coldest day of the year. Because the Northern Hemisphere is moving only slowly more tilted away from the Sun’s rays from the summer solstice to the winter solstice, the mass of the Earth receives warmth from the sun each day and only slowly does it begin to lose more each night than it gains each day. Therefore, it takes a while after the winter solstice for the Earth to cool down as far as it is going to in any given winter.

So while the winter solstice does not mark the end of cold, but is closer to the beginning of the cold stretch for our North State gardens, this cold can be beneficial - killing unwanted fungi, pathogens and others pests. (Protect and cover your citrus and other tender plants so that the cold does not kill them.) The winter solstice does however mark the shortest day of the year - and while the cold temperatures and short daylight hours might slow your garden and you down some - things are only getting brighter from here.

Happy Winter in your North State Garden!

For more information on the solstice and stars in the winter night sky, Gateway Science Museum in Chico will be hosting related Education Station activities on Saturday and Sunday, December 17th and 18th, and on the Winter Solstice, December 21st from 1 - 3 pm each day. Docents will model the concept of a solstice, show you projections of constellations in the winter night sky, and give you pin-hole constellations cards to make and take home. Additionally, on the 21st, stories behind the winter constellations will be read in the Newberry Gallery from 1 - 3 pm.

Also, fellow gardener and star watcher, Karen McGrath wrote in to me with the interesting fact that although the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, the earliest sunsets do not occur on this day! There is an interesting discussion about why at http://earthsky.org/tonight/earliest-sunset-today-but-not-shortest-day, which is a nice additional resource on these types of discussions.

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To submit plant/gardening related events/classes to the Jewellgarden.com on-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events, send the pertinent information to me at: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com

Did you know I send out a weekly email with information about upcoming topics and gardening related events? If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to Jennifer@jewellgarden.com.

In a North State Garden is a weekly Northstate Public Radio and web-based program celebrating the art, craft and science of home gardening in Northern California and made possible in part by the Gateway Science Museum - Exploring the Natural History of the North State and on the campus of CSU, Chico. In a North State Garden is conceived, written, photographed and hosted by Jennifer Jewell - all rights reserved jewellgarden.com. In a North State Garden airs on Northstate Public Radio Saturday mornings at 7:34 AM Pacific time and Sunday morning at 8:34 AM Pacific time. Podcasts of past shows are available here. Weekly essays are also posted on anewscafe.com a regional news source that is simultaneously universal and positively North State.

Seasonal precipitation has returned with relative gentleness on the Valley portions of the North State along with some frosts and early enticing snow in the foothills and high country. Our scenic California oak grasslands and wetlands are greening and filling; deciduous blue oaks, sycamores, maples and alders drop their summer biomass and rich, colorful fall changes to winter’s simplicity.

We are in the season of thankfulness.

I am thankful for the dried oak leaves and grass clippings both readily available now. A cozy layer of this mix insulates soil and root systems from the coming temperature and humidity fluctuations, and allows the winter rains to slow-release their nutrients down. If you have been able to get a feeding of 0-10-10 fertilizer onto the soil before topdressing with this mulch - all the better for edibles or ornamentals.

If you can work the soil, December and January are still ideal for the planting of new perennials, shrubs and trees – and bare root season for ornamental and fruit trees as well as perennial berry canes and veg will be getting fully underway by January.

In the seasonal edible garden, now is a good time to direct seed bok choy, broccoli, kale/collards, lettuce, onion sets, peas, radish and spinach. It’s also a good time to direct some annual flowers for next spring and summer’s color, these include: California poppy, larkspur, cornflower and scabiosa.

As you continue to cut back perennials and edibles that have run their course, remember that diligent attention to plant and soil hygiene now will pay-off well in the long run – winter precipitation can also inadvertently spread bacterial and fungal diseases from diseased plants. Carefully clean up the dead and fallen leaves from roses, peonies, iris, cane fruits and any other plants on which you have ever notices black spot, mildew or other issues. Do not compost diseased leaves or woody materials, discard it with your household trash.

Watch the weather forecast closely now and be prepared with frost cloth to cover tender plants.

When pruning, try to leave seed heads, healthy foliage, and winter blooms for the birds and insects to snack on and nest with - weather permitting. You will be as thankful as them. The frolicking of birds, bees and butterflies in the winter garden are some of the many gifts of the season.

Gifts of the season overflow the calendar of gardening events this month. The On-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events at jewellgarden.com adds events throughout the month. I do my very best to keep the calendar up to date and accurate, please confirm all events with the event host. If you have an event you would like listed or if you are aware of a mistake on the calendar, please send all pertinent information to: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com! Thanks!

NOVEMBER

November 27 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: Ten Mile House Trail to Big Chico Creek 9:15 am Meet at Chico Park & Ride west parking lot (Hwy 99/32) in time to leave by 9:30 am. Wear hiking shoes and bring lunch, water, sunscreen/insect protection and money for ride sharing. We’ll drive east 9 miles on Hwy 32 to the Green Gate Trail Head. From there we’ll follow an historic wagon road down to Big Chico Creek, our lunch site. On our return we’ll see buckeye and black oak in fruit and stop at a spring where a homestead once stood. Be prepared for a 700′ elevation gain back to the trail head. Four miles round trip. Call leader for alternate meeting location. Gerry 530-893-5123. For more information: http://mountlassen.cnps.org/

November 29 - Red Bluff Garden Club: Monthly Meeting and Program: 1:00 p.m. at the Union Hall, 12889 Baker Road in Red Bluff, California. Public Welcome! For more info: http://redbluffgardenclub.com/Home_Page.html; 530.824-5661 or email dianecleland@att.net.

November 29 - Chico: Butte Rose Society General Member Meeting & Little Rose Show 6 pm gather, 7 pm meeting and program on Seasonal Pruning of Roses. Chico Veterans Memorial Hall at 554 Rio Lindo Ave. For more information: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org/

November 26 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Walk With Lisa Endicott, Horticultural Manager 11 am. Bring your notebooks and camera! We’ll make our way through the Gardens with frequent stops for discussions about (what else?) plants! Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

DECEMBER

December 1 – Paradise: Saturen Studio Botanical Illustration Classes - Fall Session VI begins 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm every Thursday for 4 weeks: Dec 1 - Dec 22, 2011. 10 yrs to Adult. Create scientific illustrations of exotic flowers, leafy foliage, tantalizing fruit, and seeds – even carnivorous species. Draw flora to scale, add texture, shadows, and balance as you transfer visual references to paper. Sharpen your drawing skills and pencils as you learn techniques that create 3-dimensional drawings that appear to pop out of the paper! Terry Ashe Recreation Center in Paradise, California Paradise Recreation and Park District (PRPD) Supplies list available at PRPD office. FEE: $30.00 INSTRUCTOR: Ben Saturen. More info please email: b.saturen@yahoo.com

December 2 - 4 - Red Bluff: SLOW FOOD SHASTA CASCADE and Holbrook Studios present 2nd Annual Kilnside Christmas Featuring local artisans, cheeses, wines, olive oils and more. Friday 5 - 8 pm, Sat. & Sun. 9 am - 4 pm. 575 Wiltsey Avenue, Red Bluff. For more info: http://www.themuddyhands.com/Christmas2011

December 2 & 3 - Red Bluff Garden Center: Holiday Wreath Class 10am both days. Create a beautiful holiday wreath to take home. Cost is $10. Please call to reserve space. 530-527-0886. http://www.redbluffgardencenter.com/home?GardenCenter=Events

December 3 – Redding: Shasta Chapter California Native Plant Society : Mule Mountain Hike 9 am meet at Redding City Library. This Mule Mountain hike is a repeat of last year’s hike, except that the trail has been completed to the south base of the mountain, with only a steep 300’ off-trail elevation climb to the top. This is a 5-mile, moderately difficult hike. Expect to see typical mixed conifer and chaparral plants including silk tassel, redberry, deer brush, service berry, snowberry and snowdrop bush. Meet at 9 AM at Redding City Hall south parking lot on Parkview Avenue. No dogs, please. For more information, call David Ledger at 355-8542. http://www.shastacnps.org/calendar.html

December 3 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Holiday Wreath Making Workshop 9 am - noon. Floral designer and instructor Darlene Montgomery leads this creative and fun holiday workshop. Each participant will create their own fresh, full-size holiday wreath for the front door or family room. All materials provided. Space is limited to 15 participants, adults and youth ages 16+. Call 242-3108 to pre-register (required). Members $35, nonmembers $40 Visitor Center - JSS Classroom More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 3 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Charlie Rabbit and Friends 10:30 am. Presented by John & Betty Fitzpatrick. An interactive program in the Children’s Garden (or Greenhouse in rain) for children, their siblings, parents and grandparents. Join Charlie, our adorable jack rabbit puppet, in various gardening activities. Wear your favorite gardening clothes! Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 3 - Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Holiday Open House and Kids Planting Party Open House All Day. Planting Party 10am - Noon. Join us in celebrating the holiday season with delicious goodies and hot apple cider. One Day Gift Shop Sale. For more info: inform@wyntourgardens.com, 365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding.

December 3 - Los Molinos: SLOW FOOD SHASTA CASCADE and Kitchel Family Organic Farm present 2nd Annual Holiday Local and Fair Trade Gift Faire 1:00pm - 4:00pm BUY/SELL/TRADE Kitchel Family Organic Farm 25255 3rd Ave. Los Milinos Please call if you are interested in booth space! 384-1966

December 3 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: Planting for Pollinators and Other Beneficial Insects 2 p.m., Arboretum Teaching Nursery, Garrod Drive, UC Davis. People thinking about adding to their home landscapes can tour the new demonstration plantings at the UC Davis Arboretum Teaching Nursery on Saturday, December 3. The guided tour will focus on the best plants for our garden climate that attract and provide habitat for butterflies, hummingbirds and other native pollinators. The tour will meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, on Garrod Drive across from the School of Veterinary Medicine on the UC Davis campus. There is no charge for the tour, and free parking is available in Visitor Lot 55, on Garrod Drive across from the nursery. For more information, please call (530) 752-4880 or visit arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

December 3 & 4 - Durham/Chico: Patrick Ranch Winter Holiday Fair and Sale: Opening Reception 4 - 8 pm Friday December 2nd with wine, live music and appetizers; Saturday 10 - 5pm, Sunday 10 - 4pm. Seasonal holiday arts and crafts and fun. Glennwood Historic Farmhouse tours will be offered Saturday and Sunday. 10381 Midway, Chico. For more information: 530-570-7343.

December 4 - Redding: Growing Local Shasta Alternative Christmas Fair First United Methodist Church, 1825 East Street, Redding. For more info email growinglocalshasta@gmail.com

December 4 - Chico: The Plant Barn: Annual Wreath Classes Two classes being held, you must call to reserve space in this annual, festive tradition of friends, fun and the fashioning of holiday wreaths. 530-345-3121. 406 Entler Avenue, Chico.

December 4 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: Lower Bidwell Park Old Forestry Station 10:00 am Meet at the Cedar Grove parking area (just west of the Chico Creek Nature Center at 1968 E. 8th St) for a 2-hour stroll through the old (1888) California Board of Forestry plant introduction and nursery station. Many fine old specimens of American persimmon, Japanese zelkova, cork oak, black ash, and 65 others from around the world still survive. The Bidwells gave these 29 acres to the state for testing woody plants for their use in horticulture, medicine, forestry, and landscaping. Over at noon. Leaders: Wes 530-342-2293 and Gerry 530-893-5123. For more information: http://mountlassen.cnps.org/

December 4 - Chico: Magnolia Gift & Garden: Holiday Open House Benefit for the Butte Humane Society and Featuring the Yule Logs! 2 - 4 pm. Join us for holiday cheer and music, a garden of gifts and delights at the same time helping to support our four-footed friends at the Butte Humane Society this holiday season! Simon (the divine canine representative at Magnolia) Says Santa (who’s a dedicated winter gardener) will be pleased. Magnolia Gift & Garden 1367 East Avenue 530-894-5410. http://magnoliagardening.com/

December 4 - Los Molinos: SLOW FOOD SHASTA CASCADE and Blush Catering present A Moveable Feast: 3 - 9 pm. Arc Pavilion. 2040 Park Avenue, Chico, California.Open Boutique, 3-5 p.m. (free admission). Dinner, 5-9 p.m. Tickets $40 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/211986 Appetizers and No Host Bar with Local Wine and Beer Makers, 5-6:30 p.m. Blush Catering and Slow Food Shasta Cascade cordially invite you to join us for an interactive dining experience this holiday season. The meal will highlight products from Chaffin Family Orchards, GRUB, Morse Farms, North Valley Farms Chèvre, and Turri Family farms. Come meet the farmers as we dine together to celebrate community and the North State’s seasonal bounty. Prior to the dinner there will be an open boutique showcasing several of the participating farmers and Slow Food USA’s “Ark of Taste” program. Other eco-friendly local products will also be available for sale. Boutique admission is free. Ticket sales will be available only until Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00 p.m. Get your tickets early, these events sell out! Check out Blush’s website! http://www.blushcatering.com/

December 7 - Chico: Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society Regular Monthly meeting and Program “Evolutionary Development, Classification, & Name Changes in the California Flora” by Dan Potter 7:30 pm Butte County Library, Chico. Dan Potter is a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis and Director of the UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity, including the University’s herbarium. The names of plants have been in flux for centuries. They have occurred at an accelerated pace in recent years, due to advances in our understanding of evolutionary relationships based on analyses of DNA. The results are sometimes striking. Dan’s presentation will be a great chance to learn the ins and outs of plant naming, to become more confident with sometimes daunting terms.For more information: http://mountlassen.cnps.org/

December 10 - Full Moon and Terre Madre Day

December 10 - Corning: SLOW FOOD SHASTA CASCADE and Lucero Olive Oil celebrate Terre Madre Day with First Annual Winter Crush 10 am - 4 pm 1st Annual Winter Crush at Lucero Olive Oil Saturday Dec. 10 - 10:00am to 4:00pm 2120 Loleta Avenue, Corning Fresh Citrus Olive Oil, Cooking Demo’s by Farwood Bar & Grill (Orland) & GR Gibbs (Redding), Food Tastings, Live Music… For more information go to lucerooliveoil.com andslowfood.com/terramadreday.

December 10 - Sacramento: Sacramento Master Gardeners: All Dried Up - Master Food Preserver Demonstration 10 am - Noon. Basic introduction to safe dehydration techniques. This is a free class. Location: 4145 Branch Center Road Sacramento, Ca 95827 http://ucanr.org/sites/sacmg/?calitem=132072&g=21788

December 10 - Chico: The Plant Barn: Holiday SALEABRATION 10 am - 5pm Holiday-style flower floozie fun! Appetizers, local artists, Wine and Olive Tastings and Random Sales all Day. 530-345-3121. 406 Entler Avenue, Chico.

December 10 - Chico: Chico Horticultural Society: Annual Holiday Greens Workshop 2 - 4 pm. Bring Family, bring friends and share the holiday spirit. Annual Chico Hort Holiday Greens Workshop: Saturday December 10th from 2 - 4 pm, at the Chico Library General Meeting Room. We will have demonstrations on hand-making your own holiday wreath, swag or centerpiece using seasonal greens, berries and cones. The cost of the workshop is $12 and includes all the materials (forms, greens, wire, ribbon) and help needed to a make one 12″ round wreath, one hearty door swag, or one stunning holiday centerpiece. Registration Required. To register to participate, please contact Jennifer Jewell at 588-6369 or jennifer @jewellgarden.com, in your message please indicate how many are in your party, which item each person would like to make, and a good contact for you for confirmation. Money will be collected at the door on the day of the event.

December 14 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Walk With Warren 12 noon, Gazebo, Garrod Drive, UC Davis. Join Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts for a lunchtime stroll in the UC Davis Arboretum on Wednesday, November 9. Enjoy the crisp fall weather, explore the pleasures of the autumn garden, and get a little exercise. Meet at noon at the Gazebo, on Garrod Drive on the UC Davis campus. There is no charge for the tour. Parking is available for $7 in Visitor Lot 55, on Garrod Drive at the School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please call (530) 752-4880 or visit arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

December 17 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: Under the Redwood Canopy 2 p.m., Wyatt Deck, Old Davis Road, UC Davis. Enjoy the peace and silence of the redwood grove on a misty winter day and learn about the complex and fascinating ecosystem of the redwood forest during a free guided tour at the UC Davis Arboretum on Saturday, December 17. This walk will provide a brief introduction to the ecology and history of the coast redwood and the plants that grow under the redwood canopy. The tour will meet at 2:00 p.m. at the Wyatt Deck, located on Old Davis Road next to the Arboretum redwood grove on the UC Davis campus. There is no charge for the tour and free parking is available in Visitor Lot 5, at Old Davis Road and A Street. For more information, please call (530) 752-4880 or visit arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

December 19 - Chico: In a North State Garden: Special I-5 LIVE! The Wonderful World of Mushrooms 8 - 9 pm. Join host Jennifer Jewell and mushroom-enthusiast guests Don Simoni of Mushroom Adventures, and Beth and Stephan Wattenburg in Forest Ranch to chat about the seasonal appearance of these wonderful structures throughout the North State. What do they tell us? How to begin to id them? Where to go see them, how to make a spore print, and some favorite recipes preparing them. KCHO 91.7/KFPR 88.9 fm in Chico and Redding.

December 21/22 - WINTER SOLSTICE 12:30 am Eastern Standard Time

December 31 - Chico: Butte Rose Society Annual Rose Pruning Demonstration, Historic Stansbury House 10 am. Want to see how to prune roses effectively and correctly and have seasonal fun doing it? Join the BRS for their annual pruning demo in the Historic Stansbury House rose garden. For more information: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org/

December 31 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Walk With Lisa Endicott, Horticultural Manager 11 am. Bring your notebooks and camera! We’ll make our way through the Gardens with frequent stops for discussions about (what else?) plants! Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 31, 2011 - January 1, 2012 HAPPY NEW YEAR. May be peace be yours in the coming year.

Jewellgarden.com’s collections of note cards and blank journals make wonderful gifts. Dedicated to the art, craft and science of gardening, produced wholly in the North State on 100% recycled papers, Jewellgarden.com’s line of Holiday, Natives in the Garden, Edibles in the Garden, and Seed Series of printed products will delight all the gardeners, readers, writers - all enjoyers of life - in your life this year. Available now on-line. All of Jewellgarden.com’s cards are printed in Chico by Quadco printing using 100% recycled paper and vegetable-based ink.

Follow Jewellgarden.com/In a North State Garden on Facebook. Photo:

To submit plant/gardening related events/classes to the Jewellgarden.com on-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events, send the pertinent information to me at: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com

Did you know I send out a weekly email with information about upcoming topics and gardening related events in the North State region? If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to Jennifer@jewellgarden.com.

In a North State Garden is a weekly Northstate Public Radio and web-based program celebrating the art, craft and science of home gardening in Northern California. Made possible in part by the Gateway Science Museum - Exploring the Natural History of the North State and on the campus of CSU, Chico, In a North State Garden is conceived, written, photographed and hosted by Jennifer Jewell - all rights reserved jewellgarden.com. In a North State Garden airs on Northstate Public Radio Saturday mornings at 7:34 AM Pacific time and Sunday morning at 8:34 AM Pacific time. Podcasts of past shows are available here. Weekly essays are also posted on anewscafe.com a regional news source that is simultaneously universal and positively North State.

“Eat your weeds,” is a comment you might hear in conversation with regional author Alicia Funk. This struck me as humorously ironic given that last week’s interview taught us more about ways to effectively eradicate troublesome weeds, but never did we consider eating them. This week, Alicia Funk suggests just that: we should eat our weeds. (In most cases the plants to which she is referring are not truly weeds, rather edible and medicinal native plants that thrive in our region.) Photo: Bright red ripe toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) berries ripe in winter. “Living Wild” includes cultivation information for toyon as well as a recipe for a tasty toyon cider.

Alicia, who lives and gardens in Nevada City, off the grid with her husband and their three children, is the co-author most recently of “Living Wild: Gardening, Cooking and Healing with the Native Plants of the Sierra Nevada,” (2011, Flicker Press. Available locally at Lyon Books in Chico). She believes passionately that if we as families, as gardeners, as foodies, indeed, as a culture, are going to move sustainability to the next level, we need to learn to engage with our local landscapes more intimately and more knowledgeably. “With our children watching some sort of screen for an average of five hours a day or more, this need to re-acquaint ourselves with the outdoors is ever more urgent,” she insists. She founded the LivingWild.org project as way to open and encourage conversation and sharing of knowledge and experience about engaging with the great outdoors around us.

Sustainability is not just about eating food labeled organic, or about eating locally grown food, even, Alicia expressed to me by phone recently. Indigenous people have lived - and thrived - in these very environments of the North State for thousands of years, they have learned how to responsibly and thoughtfully use the many native plants around us for food, for shelter, for medicine, for art. If we want to take sustainability and healthy living to a higher level, we can learn how to as well. And Northern California is just the place to take this step, Alicia pointed out, as we are blessed with more edible and healthful native plants than almost anywhere on the planet: “When I first moved to the North State in 2004, I realized that many of the native plants I was seeing were the sources of the nutritional and medicinal supplements I had studied.” Photo: The un-ripe, green berries of manzanita. According to studies conducted by Alicia, when ripe, manzanita berries, which are naturally sweet, also contain three times the antioxidants of blueberries.

Alicia Goldberg Funk first learned plant-based medicine in 1990 from an indigenous grandmother in Ecuador’s rainforest. Upon returning the US, she lived and worked in the Santa Cruz area where she studied with leaders in the field, Christopher Hobbs and Michael McGuffin, at the American School of Herbalism. Her subsequent research has focused on the science behind plants and their medicinal or nutritional uses. Safety is a primary focus to her research as is opening a conversation between the herbal world and the medical world. She is the editor of six books, including “The Botanical Safety Handbook,” “Herbal Medicine-The Expanded Commission E Monographs” and “The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs.” Her passion is creating everyday wellness for individuals and the planet. Photo: A selection of acorns, which Alicia likes to call oak nuts, emphasizing their edibility. In her workshops, she teaches how to make oak nut flour.

Alicia Funk in Chico - October 1st, 2011

Alicia will be teaching a class entitled “Native Plants for Food and Health” on Saturday October 1st from 9 am - 12 noon for the Friends of the Chico State Herbarium’s workshop series. The fee for the class is $45; to register please contact the CSU, Chico Biology office at (530) 898-5356 or jbraden@csuchico.edu.

Class Description:

Connect with our local landscape by learning how native plants provided a sustainable source of food and medicine for local inhabitants for thousands of years.
Learn how to prepare and enjoy backyard fall and winter edibles such as Oak Nut (acorn) Bliss Bars, Beyond Cranberry Wild Berry Sauce, and Toyon Cider.
Discover how native plants such as Yerba Santa and California Bay can help address common winter colds.
Take a walk outdoors to identify the uses of plants in the field.
Workshop Outline Food: Backyard Edibles for Fall
• Prepare and taste Oak Nuts (acorns), Madrone berries, and Toyon berries.
Health: Natives for the Common Cold • Integrate Yerba Santa and California Bay into the natural medicine cabinet for common winter colds and flu.
Field Walk: Exploring Nature with Ethnobotanical Eyes (indoor slideshow if raining)
• Identify plants in nature and learn common uses.

Please register in advance; class size is limited to 20 participants (class cancelled with- out a minimum of 8 participants). For more information about workshop content please contact Alicia Funk at alicia@livingwild.org.

Following the morning class at the Chico State Herbarium, Alicia will be at the Gateway Science Museum for a hands-on activity for school-aged children and a book signing:

Plant Adventures: 1-3 pm
Gateway Science Museum on the Esplanade in Chico
Cost: free with admission

Have you tasted manzanita sugar or an oak nut (acorn) bliss bar? Our local landscape offers many plants that are useful for food and health and these plants sustained indigenous people without grocery stores for thousands of years. Come explore native plants through a treasure hunt, create a native plant journal and learn to turn acorns into delicious desserts.

Join visiting instructor and author, Alicia Funk, in an interactive program for all ages:

• Go on a treasure hunt to identify native plants.

• Learn to turn acorns into food.

• Create a native plant journal

• Taste wild food desserts and drinks.

• Signed copies of the new local guidebook: Living Wild—Gardening, Cooking and Healing with Native Plants of the Sierra Nevada, will be available for purchase.

Photo: The temptingly plump hips of California rose (Rosa californica). “Living Wild” includes cultivation information for this rose as well as recipes for Rose Hip Tea and Rose Hip Jelly.

More of my environmental writing can be found in the Chico News & Review, and Pacific Horticulture. Follow Jewellgarden.com/In a North State Garden on Facebook.

To submit plant/gardening related events/classes to the Jewellgarden.com on-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events, send the pertinent information to me at: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com

Did you know I send out a weekly email with information about upcoming topics and gardening related events in the North State region? If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to Jennifer@jewellgarden.com.

In a North State Garden is a weekly Northstate Public Radio and web-based program celebrating the art, craft and science of home gardening in Northern California. Made possible in part by the Gateway Science Museum - Exploring the Natural History of the North State and on the campus of CSU, Chico, In a North State Garden is conceived, written, photographed and hosted by Jennifer Jewell - all rights reserved jewellgarden.com. In a North State Garden airs on Northstate Public Radio Saturday mornings at 7:34 AM Pacific time and Sunday morning at 8:34 AM Pacific time. Podcasts of past shows are available here. Weekly essays are also posted on anewscafe.com a regional news source that is simultaneously universal and positively North State.

Put the growing needs of melons and the gardening conditions of much of the North State together, and what you get is an uncommonly happy marriage. This week on In a North State Garden (Northstate Public Radio 91.7 fm Chico/88.9 fm Redding at 7:34 am Saturday and 8:34 am Sunday), I talk to Kaye and Roger Diefendorf of Morning Glory Organics about growing melons. Located in Butte Valley near Oroville, Morning Glory Organics grows a selection of specialty and heirloom melons. (more…)

Gardening (and writing) in the heat of mid-August, it is sometimes difficult to pull my view up from the moment in order to plan for the future, but August is a good time to be planning and planting for the winter garden. It’s a good time to have soil prepared and to direct seed beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, lettuce, white onion, white potatoes and turnips. Photo: The summer garden may be like a small jungle and you may be harvesting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and cucumbers like a mad person - don’t forget to plan and plant ahead for fall and winter crops.

It’s also a good time to be thinking about bulbs. If you are interested in planting more bulbs this fall, now is a good time to place orders from seed and/or bulb sources or growers in your area or at your local farmers market. Ordering now will help to ensure you get the best selections even though you won’t want to plant most bulbs out until October or November. This is true of ornamental bulbs like narcissus and alliums as well as for edible bulbs like GARLIC. (more…)

Late May has been cool and wet here in much of the North State - but June, June holds the promise of true summer – bringing with it all that summer is supposed to be: soft light of early morning when the day is cool and fresh; iridescent roses, lavender, salad greens, strawberries and cherries; long days with true heat; the chirping call of the quail and the crazy way they scatter when you come upon them; luminous California Buckeye blooms held like candles in the woodland edges; the silent flitting of little bats in the early evening as they gather their fill of insects; and the long days ended by warm nights filled with the song of crickets. And - I hope - this June brings each and ever gardener some deservedly lazy, laid back summer vacation, in and out of the garden. Photo: Native clarkia in bloom in Big Chico Creek Canyon at the Chico Canyon Retreat special events center. (more…)

“If you are going to love carrots, your best bet is to try them fresh from the farm - and Matthew Martin’s carrots are some of the sweetest carrots you are ever going to taste!” Gina Sims exclaims. Matthew Martin is the President/Owner and Head Farmer of Pyramid Farms in Chico. He is also the Farmer of the Month in April 2011 for 35,000 kindergarten through 12th grade public school students throughout the North State. (more…)

In the wind and rain of the last week, I came down with quite a cold/flu and have been suffering the effects for several achey days. So it seems fortuitous and right somehow that this week’s In a North State Garden focuses on garlic - that icon of health and fortitude, that banisher of bad spirits and bad germs (to say nothing of vampires). Specifically, this week’s piece profiles Kalan and Cam Redwood of Redwood Seeds, which, among many other interesting seed crops, grow 14 different varieties of garlic locally here in the North State. ‘Grown locally’ being a fact which only strengthens the power and efficacy of any fruit, vegetable or medicinal herb’s beneficial properties, due in part to increased freshness. Photo: Allium sativum sativuum ‘Silver White’ a common, softneck variety of garlic. (more…)

November in the Northstate Garden sums up everything I love about living and gardening here – richness, abundance and diversity.

November mornings are crisp and dark, November afternoons often offer a warming sun. Light is dappled - revealing the garden and its beauty in subtle and nuanced ways. A visit to Dunsmuir recently to visit the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens with a gardening friend – seeing the fall color deepening in our forests, the fullness of our rivers after late October rains, and the snow returned like a winter dress to the sides of Mount Shasta and further peaks, reminded me that the greater Northstate Garden is one of the best inspirations by far for our own North State Gardens.

In Paradise, Sawmill Creek Farms is harvesting dry beans, and roasting the end of season peppers and garlic to grind into spices; in Manton Redwood Seed Farm is planting in the last of the garlic for early summer 2011 harvest. In Redding, Julie Nelson is considering what to make with her quince harvest. Around the region, persimmons and pomegranates hang fat and iridescent on the branches – sweetening up with the cool nights. I am cutting back the dead and the spent, top-dressing my beds - edible and ornamental - with compost mulch, planting some spring bulbs waiting patiently to go in the ground and dividing perennials such as iris, stachys, day lilies and dahlias to rejuvenate the original plantings. The additional plants I get from dividing, but which I have no room for in my garden I will take care of until spring and then donate them to a garden club, native plant or rose society plant sale as needed.

Pam Geisel, Statewide Coordinator of the Master Garden Program sends these tips on the home orchard: “For November in the Orchard…it is still not too late to harvest most varieties of olives for curing, especially if you get out to harvest early in the month. The season is late this year so unless we have a hard frost and as long as the olives are still green, go for it. For great FREE 26 page handbook on safe curing olives go to: http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8267.pdf’

“Pomegranate harvest is just beginning. Most people say wait until they crack to begin harvesting, but to avoid rot AND have the highest sugar content, try to harvest just before they crack. The “Wonderful” pomegranate variety is just becoming sweet.’

“Persimmons are also ripening, try them dried, using the Fuyu fruit (the ones that you can eat hard). Slice them into thin slices and allow them to dry either using a food dehydrator or in a warm dry location, such as the over on its lowest setting. The taste is amazing and makes a great snack…even for people that don’t love persimmons!’

“In the orchard later in the month, you can apply a spray of either copper sulfate or calcium polysulfide after the leaves drop on your peaches and nectarines to help reduce fungi that cause the disease called PEACH LEAF CURL in spring and reduce the likelihood of infection. You can also spray cherries and apricots but only use fixed copper or copper Bordeaux (do not apply materials that contain sulfur). This will reduce the likelihood of shot hole disease (Coryneum blight). You can also plan to spray during the dormant season. For excellent information about preparing and using Bordeaux mixtures, check out our Pest Note at: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7481.html.’

“If you intend to plant bare root fruit trees during the dormant season and your soil has compaction or hard pan/clay pan layers, now is a good time to dig (or drill/pick ax/backhoe etc.) your planting area so that you have a deep wide hole with the compacted layers broken up. Backfill the planting hole with the native soil (no amendments) and allow it to settle for at least 21 days prior to planting your bare root fruit and nut trees.’

“Think about frost protection for sensitive plants. If temps drop below 30 degrees, you could have some tissue damage. Move your container plants to a protected area such as a covered patio or garage (that has light). Wrap tender trees with newspaper, corn stalks or fiberglass insulation or even palm fronds that will insulate them from the cold. This is especially good for young citrus and avocados. Use cardboard boxes to cover smaller shrubs and flowers on those cold nights.” Photo: Members of Chico Horticultural Society at work during a recent potting party, planting up divisions and cuttings for the coming year’s plant sales.

An established regional gardening resource has a new branch. Valley Oak Magazine, had its debut in October and it was every bit as good as you would hope from David Grau, the managing editor. David has been the energizing force behind the Chico Organic Gardening Class series the past two winters, and his endeavor has now grown up and evolved into The Chico Organic Gardening Society (I joined!) and the monthly ValleyOakMagazine.com. Writing in the journal’s first issue, David Grau highlights another local fruit tree guru Carl Rosato of Woodleaf Farm. Carl recommends significant fruit tree pruning mid-October: “For the best results, do your main pruning this month. This is instead of a winter pruning. If you prune now, the tree will have more balanced growth next spring, and not have an overly vigorous “terminal push”. This makes for stronger branches and better fruit set. Carl also does lighter prunings in June and in August.” The whole issue is worth reading.

The foothills have had their first killing frosts, but most of us on the valley floor have not. Don’t be too quick to cut back plants that are still actively flowering – on cold-morning/warm afternoons days the pollinating bees, butterflies moths and hummingbirds are still very active and they will reward your patience. I do have my horticultural fleece row covers and other frost protection ready to go though, to be honest, that first hard frost that knocks back the annual plants (read: tomato, pepper and squash chaos) I have not been able to give up on always comes as something of a relief to me. It’s time.

If you are interested in our regional events, be sure to check the On-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events at jewellgarden.com regularly – events are added almost everyday. I do my very best to keep the calendar up to date and accurate, please confirm all events with the event host’s contact information. If you are aware of a mistake on my calendar, please send me corrected info: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com! Thanks.

NOVEMBER 2010 - CALENDAR OF REGIONAL GARDENING EVENTS

November 3 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society, Regular Member Meeting 7:30 pm Butte County Library. Regular member Meeting and Program featuring “How Do Many Seed Plants Get Around…Without the Help of People?”, by Rob Schlising, retired professor of Biology from CSU, Chico. Public welcome! More information contact President Janna Lathrop: jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net

November 3 – Chico: Gateway Science Museum: Museum Without Walls Lecture Series #1 7:30 - 8:30 pm Fire in the Forest by Kathy Gray, California State University, Chico. Chico Area Recreation District (CARD) Center 545 Vallombrosa Avenue. A donation of $3 per adult is requested. More Info call: 530-898-4121

November 3 – Chico: The 8th Annual Chico Organic Farming and Food Conference, Chico State University Farm 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. As in previous years, this is the day before the beginning of the This Way to Sustainability Conference at Chico State University. This year it will comprise concurrent workshops and presentations in the organic vegetable field, at the organic dairy, and in the pavilion. Topics will include organic crop and dairy management, insect ecology, soil quality, farm financial management, and community food and nutrition programs. The conference is free and open to all members of the campus and community. Students, staff, faculty, farmers, ranchers, and gardening enthusiasts are encouraged to participate! For more information, schedule, and directions, go to http://www.csuchico.edu/~laltier/8thAnnualAgenda.pdf To RSVP or questions, contact Lee Altier by email to LAltier@csuchico.edu or phone (530) 636-2525

November 5 - Chico: Chico State Campus Tree Tours with Wes Dempsey and Gerry Ingco 10 am - 11:45 am. Meet in front of Bidwell Mansion in Chico, on the Esplanade for this informative walks to see and hear about the marvelous old trees on the mansion grounds and adjacent university campus. Over 200 species of woody plants. Many of these trees date back to the original landscaping by Bidwell in the late 1800s. Parking is free. Leaders: Wes Demspey: 530-342-2293; Gerry Ingco: 530-893-5123

November 6 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay Trees in the Landscape Series Workshop 9:30 am Fall is a great time for planting trees in Shasta County, and having a good start is imperative to the long term health of your tree. Turtle Bay’s lead gardener and A News Cafe’s “Tree Goddess”, Marie Stadther, will share tips for developing healthy, well-established trees through proper planting methods, root pruning, fertilizing, mulching and follow-up care. Receive actual hands-on experience planting a tree with Marie in the Botanical Gardens. All tools and gloves will be provided. Come prepared to work outside. (Class will be rescheduled in the event of rain). Tree Pruning will be offered early next year as a follow-up to this workshop. Members and Turtle Bay volunteers FREE, nonmembers $3 (unless otherwise noted) Meet at the Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Office (1135 Arboretum Drive next to Nursery Greenhouse) Take N. Market Street and turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Nursery on immediate left.

November 6 – Redding: Community Teaching Garden: Saving Your Seeds 10 a.m. to noon Presenter: Jim Collins. Fee: $15. Autumn and Winter are the time to think about successfully saving and storing your seeds and planning your spring garden crops. This workshop will introduce the basic methods for saving seed, what kinds of seed can be saved, where to obtain them, how to ensure seed/crop quality and purity as well as proven harvesting, drying and storing techniques. Room 812 Shasta College Main Campus. For registration information, call 530-225-4835

November 6 - Redding: Wyntour Gardens: FALL TREE & SHRUB CARE 11am – Learn what to do now, to improve the health and vigor of your trees, fruit trees and shrubs for next spring. George will demystify the use of dormant sprays, fertilizing and other methods for promoting a healthier yard and garden. This class is Free, please call for reservations. 8026 Airport Rd Redding, CA 96002-9445 (530) 365-2256

November 6 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: Native American Uses for California Plants 11 a.m., Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center, Old Davis Road, UC Davis Without a grocery store, where would you find food? Without a drug store, how would you treat your illnesses? For centuries, Native Californians have made skillful use of many of the local plants we take for granted, actively managing the landscape for long-term sustainable yields. The UC Davis Arboretum will present an engaging, family-friendly tour exploring Indian uses of plants for food, medicine, construction, and ritual on Saturday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m. The free tour will leave from the Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center, across from the Mondavi Center on Old Davis Road on the UC Davis campus. Free parking is available in Visitor Lot 1 and the parking garage south of the Mondavi Center. For more information, please call (530) 752-4880 or visit arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

November 7 - DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS: Clocks fall back one hour.

November 7 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: Deer Creek Trail 8:30 am Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 32/99). Bring lunch, water, insect/sun protection, and money for ride sharing. This is a gentle two-mile hike down to the falls and fish ladder where we will have lunch. Big leaf maple and dogwood should be in full color along with Indian rhubarb and spicebush. Sierra mint, and California fuchsia should still be in full bloom. Leaders, Gerry Ingco 530-893-5123 and Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293

November 8 - Paradise: Paradise Garden Club monthly meeting Potluck lunch at 12 noon, bring your table setting and a dish to share. 1:00 pm program by Jennifer Jewell on the Seeds that Surround us - the Remarkable beauty of the seeds and seed pods of native plants. Terry Ashe Recreation Center, 6626 Skyway, Paradise.

November 8 - Chico: North Valley Orchid Society General Member Meeting 7:30PM CARD Center “Arts & Crafts Room” 545 Vallombrosa Ave., Chico Speaker will be Nick Burnett of Sacramento- “Species You Can Grow”. More Info: http://www.northvalleyorchidsociety.com or NVOS2010@gmail.com

November 10 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: Walk With Warren 12 p.m., Gazebo, Garrod Drive, UC Davis Arboretum Join Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts for a lunchtime stroll in the UC Davis Arboretum on Wednesday, November 10. Enjoy the crisp fall weather, explore the pleasures of the autumn garden, and get a little exercise. Meet at noon at the Gazebo, on Garrod Drive on the UC Davis campus. There is no charge for the tour. Parking is available for $6 in Visitor Lot 55. For more information, please call (530) 752-4880 or visit arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

November 10 - Magalia: Magalia Beautification Society Regular Member Meeting 1:00 pm POA Racine Center at Wycliff Way and Racine Circle in Magalia; 12:30 for lunch, 1:00-3:00 for business. For more information: http://magaliagardeners.webs.com/

November 13 - Chico: Friends of the Chico State Herbarium Workshop: Home Composting and Vermiculture 9 am - 4 pm Taught by Master Composter Ward Habriel, learn the basic what, where and when of home composting in the morning session, followed by an afternoon session of worm composting also known as Vermiculture. Please register in advance. For more information about fees and registration please contact the office at (530) 898-6121 or NS@csuchico.edu.

November 13 – Chico: Gateway Science Museum Museum Educational Days : 10-12 Pine Needle Basket Weaving demonstration; 1-3 Pine Needle Basket Weaving Class (limited to 10 registrants- email gateway@csuchico.edu or call 898 4121 to enroll; must be 16 or older). as part of activities related to the current exhibits. Gateway Science Museum: 625 Esplanade (near Bidwell Mansion), Chico. For more info call: 530-898-4121

November 13 - Redding: Wyntour Gardens: WIRE BASKET WORKSHOP 11am – Plant a wire basket with Ellen, using her unique lasagna layering method. Past classes have used, wire baskets, wrought iron bird cages and even a topiary horse! We will have wire baskets available for purchase, or bring one from home. All participants will receive 10% off on all supplies purchased for the class. Please call for reservations. 8026 Airport Rd Redding, CA 96002-9445 (530) 365-2256

November 14 - Chico: Wes Dempsey Tour/Field Trip: Maidu Medicine Walk 9 am - 12 noon. Meet at the Horseshoe Lake parking Area E in Upper Bidwell Park. Wear Hiking shoes and bring water. About 30 of the plants that the local Maidu Indians used for medicine, food, and crafts will be shown and discussed. Leader: Wes Demspey: 530-342-2293

November 16 - Chico: Chico Horticulture Society Regular Member Meeting, Plant Sale and Holiday Boutique - including Jewellgarden.com’s lines of 2011 calendars, note cards and journals 9:45 – Noon. Regular Member Meeting and Program on Preparing Your Garden for Winter. Chico Library 1108 Sherman Avenue in Chico. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.

November 17 - Redding: Shasta Rose Society - Regular Member Meeting and Mini-Rose Show, Public Welcome! 7:00 p.m. City of Redding Corporation Yard On Viking Way. More Info: http://www.shastarosesociety.org

November 19 - Chico: Chico State Campus Tree Tours with Wes Dempsey and Gerry Ingco 10 am - 11:45 am. Meet in front of Bidwell Mansion in Chico, on the Esplanade for this informative walks to see and hear about the marvelous old trees on the mansion grounds and adjacent university campus. Over 200 species of woody plants. Many of these trees date back to the original landscaping by Bidwell in the late 1800s. Parking is free. Leaders: Wes Demspey: 530-342-2293; Gerry Ingco: 530-893-5123

November 20 – Redding: Community Teaching Garden: Composting and Worm Culture 10 a.m. to noon Presenter: Ken Waranius. Fee: $15. Workshop will cover how to make quality compost in your own backyard including and introduction to worm culture. Room 812 Shasta College Main Campus. For registration information, call 530-225-4835

November 20 - Redding: Wyntour Gardens: LIVING CENTERPIECE WORKSHOP 11am – Create a beautiful living centerpiece for your holiday table or to give as a hostess gift! Join Wendy, our Head Designer as she shows you how easy it is, to create a one-of-a-kind centerpiece to enjoy throughout the holidays. Participants will receive a 10% discount on all supplies purchased. 8026 Airport Rd Redding, CA 96002-9445 (530) 365-2256

November 21 - FULL MOON

November 21 - Chico: Old Plant Introduction Station Walk with Wes Dempsey and Gerry Ingco 9:30 am. Meet at the Mendocino Genetic Research center (from Skyway drive South on Dominic Drive to Morrow Lane, left to Kramer Lane, south to Parking by gate). Established in 1904, woody plants form all over the world were planted here by the USDA to test their use in medicine, agriculture, and forestry. Many of the original trees still survive. You will see lacebark pine, shantung maple, mourning cypress, Chinese wingnut, giant bamboo, several species of pistachio, and more. Parking is free. Leaders: Wes Demspey: 530-342-2293; Gerry Ingco: 530-893-5123

November 22 - Garden Club of Colusa County: General Member Meeting and Presentation on Natives in the Garden with Jennifer Jewell 6:30 - 8:30 pm More information: 530-458-2227 jimncyn66@comcast.net

November 24 - Chico: Chico Horticulture Society Evening Gardeners 6:30 pm. Evening Gardeners Program. Chico Library 1108 Sherman Avenue in Chico. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.

November 25 - Thanksgiving Day

November 27 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay 9:30 am. A Walk with the Horticulture Manager, Lisa Endicott. Bring your notebooks and cameras for this participant-driven program. We’ll make our way through the Gardens with frequent stops for discussions about (what else?) plants! There’s something new to see every month! Free with Park or Garden admission. Meet at West Garden Entrance. Take N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take the right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

November 27 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: The Oak Lifecycle 11 a.m., Gazebo, Garrod Drive, UC Davis Arboretum The UC Davis Arboretum contains one of the nation’s largest collections of oak trees. In fall the oaks are ending their cycle, preparing to drop their seeds, and hunkering down for the winter. Learn more about the stages in the life of an oak during a free guided tour of Shields Oak Grove on Saturday, November 27. The tour will leave at 11:00 a.m. from the Gazebo, on Garrod Drive on the UC Davis campus. There is no charge for the tour, and free parking is available along Garrod Drive and in Visitor Lot 55. For more information, please call (530) 752-4880 or visit arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

November 28 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: Ten Mile House Trail to Big Chico Creek 9:30 am Meet at Green Gate Entrance to Upper Bidwell Park (drive east on Hwy 32, nine miles from Chico’s Hwy 99/32 interchange.) Bring lunch, water, insect/sun protection, and money for ride sharing. Wear hiking gear. We will follow an old road down to the creek (700 foot drop) for 1. 5 miles past buckeye and black oak in fruit and stop to see if the persimmon tree at the spring is ready to harvest. Leaders, Gerry Ingco 530-893-5123 and Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293

In the Garden: note card, journal and 2011 calendar collections. Support In a North State Garden AND Delight the gardeners, readers, writers and food lovers in your life with thoughtful, sophisticated and artfully unique note card sets, journals and calendars from Jewellgarden.com. Dedicated to the art, craft and science of gardening, produced wholly in the North State on recycled papers, Choose from Holiday Cards (shown above) Natives in the Garden, Edibles in the Garden and the NEW Seed Series. Available now on-line or at local fine shops near you. All of Jewellgarden.com’s cards are printed in Chico by Quadco printing using recycled paper and vegetable-based ink in many cases.

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To submit plant/gardening related events/classes to the Jewellgarden.com on-line Calendar of Regional Gardening Events, send the pertinent information to me at: Jennifer@jewellgarden.com

Did you know I send out a weekly email with information about upcoming topics and gardening related events? If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send an email to Jennifer@jewellgarden.com.

In a North State Garden is a weekly Northstate Public Radio and web-based program celebrating the art, craft and science of home gardening in Northern California and made possible in part by the Gateway Science Museum - Exploring the Natural History of the North State and on the campus of CSU, Chico. In a North State Garden is conceived, written, photographed and hosted by Jennifer Jewell - all rights reserved jewellgarden.com. In a North State Garden airs on Northstate Public Radio Saturday mornings at 7:34 AM Pacific time and Sunday morning at 8:34 AM Pacific time. Podcasts of past shows are available here. Weekly essays are also posted on anewscafe.com a regional news source that is simultaneously universal and positively North State.

It is now officially Autumn and the length of our days diminishes a little with each circle of the planet. In the edible garden, harvesting has gone on for some time as spring crops moved over for summer crops and - lucky for us here in northern California - in many cases they have been replaced with fall crops, some of which are up and going strong, and our winter crops have gone in or are going in. Even if by “crop” I just mean a few rows of beets or carrots in the raised beds out back. Just as for the squirrels and the acorn woodpeckers, perhaps more than any other time of year, Autumn compels us to store up against the cold and the dark. It brings out our instinctive desire for some level of self-sufficiency. Photo: Cattle grazing, and honeybees working on the drive into Chaffin Family Farm - a model for the integrated family farm ideal - below Table Mountain in Oroville. (more…)