March in the garden is both maddening and full of spring’s mirth. Even with our terribly low winter precipitation thus far, the garden and countryside are moving along – unfolding in flower, fruit and seed.

We’re lucky that our relatively mild climate allows us to plant flowers, fruits and vegetables from seed almost every month of the year – but even so March may take high honors as the big seasonal Seeding – indoors and out. (more…)

Even with the rain of the past few days, the ornamental grasses in the garden are lovely this time of year - stately and painted in warm, light catching hues. The McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay in Redding is hosting a class on the planting and care of ornamental grasses in the garden on October 29th. Thought revisiting this interview with Lisa Endicott was timely.

They catch the light - especially the low, soft slanting light of Autumn; they dance in the slightest breeze; they hold dew drops and rain drops like pearls, winking on a string; they arch and drape and cascade, adding both vertical and horizontal beauty and interest to any garden; they are often drought tolerant and deer resistant, and many of them provide both forage and shelter for native and migrating song birds. They are ornamental grasses, and with more varieties, colors, shapes and sizes (and native choices) available to home gardeners every year, there is one (or 30) to brighten and dress-up just about any garden throughout the seasons. Photo: Deer grass under planted with blue fescue in the California display garden at the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. (more…)

Autumn’s arrival for me is accompanied by a renewed sense of community. Perhaps it is the return of regular school schedules, and the return of regular monthly meetings for garden clubs and organizations. Perhaps it is the primal sense of oncoming winter and a need to come together and prepare. Perhaps it’s the anticipation and energy of the harvest – from the vast chartreuse rice fields and the statuesque almond, olive and walnut orchards running through our region, to the end-of-summer tomatoes, peppers, beans, and squash finishing up in our home gardens and now filling our kitchen counters, freezers and shelves. Cool, even cold, nights and days with a prospect of rain are returning. We are gathering, and we are planning and planting for the seasons to come. Photo: Rice fields, Central Valley in October. (more…)

“Other holidays repose on the past. 
Arbor Day proposes the future.”
- J. Sterling Morton - Founder of Arbor Day in 1872.

“Can I run out to the trees?” my 9-year old asks me on a regular if not daily basis. I almost always say yes. By “trees” my child is talking about a row of adolescent sycamores planted in a graceful curve as your enter our neighborhood. With their milky white and grey mottled bark and their thick outward reaching lowest branches, these trees are perfect for climbing, for sitting in and contemplating life, for sitting under and daydreaming, for building forts and whole imaginary worlds around. My child has one tree which she refers respectfully and protectively to as “my tree.” (more…)

In February we continue to prune out the old and plant seeds for the new. Brian Marshall and Nancy Heinzel of Sawmill creek farm in Paradise wrote this beautiful description of February on their market farm: “February is often the cruelest month here in the north state. Tantalizing glimpses of clear blue sky are followed by days of incessant spitting rain and fog that make noon seem like twilight. Safely tucked inside the heated greenhouse however are trays and trays of seedlings, slowly unfurling. Amazing to see the tiny leafy beginnings of what will hopefully become sturdy and productive tomato plants. The heralding of spring is about to begin, I gently pass my hand over the seedlings, lightly ruffling the new leaves. And I inhale… the scent. Tomato essence.”

Summer, with its color and high drama, is out there somewhere - a seedling. Winter is about enjoying the texture and nuance that will in time lead up to spring and summer.

This month keep pruning dormant trees and vines, and roses in the warmer sections of the North State. Bare root plants are now or soon to be widely available at our local nurseries and ready to be planted during breaks from bad weather if your soil is not too frozen or too wet. If you are going to start tender vegetable or annual seeds indoors, bad weather February days and early February evenings are good times to do this; some cold happy vegetable starts or seeds including lettuce beets broccoli carrots and chard can be sown outside already.

The whole month is loaded with good classes on pruning trees, vines and roses. Other events include the listings below. 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.

February 3 – Mt. Lassen Chapter of Cal Native Plant Society: Regular Member Meeting & Program on Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex 7:30 pm Butte County Library, Chico. Presenter will be Joe Silveira, Wildlife Biologist from the US Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information: http://www.cnps.org/cnps/chapters/newsletters/pipevine.pdf

February 5 – Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Grape Vine Pruning Classes 11 am. All classes are free, class size is limited, please call to reserve your seat: 530-365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding, CA. For more information: www.wyntourgardens.com

February 5 - Redding: Shasta College Community Teaching Garden - Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop 1pm - 3 pm. Room 812, Shasta College Main Campus. Learn the basics of fruit tree cultivation and pruning techniques from local certified arborist and horticulturist for the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. Presenter: Rico Montenegro. Fee: $15.00 For more information: http://www.shastacollege.edu/teachinggarden/

February 6 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: UC Davis Guided Conservatory Tour Reservations being taken: $4/person. 8:30 am Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Chico’s intersection of Hwy 99/32 interchange.) Bring lunch, water, insect/sun protection, and money for ride sharing. The greenhouses are warm so dress appropriately. We will take an hour long tour of the 3,600 sq ft greenhouses and see amazing diversity of plant adaptations. Form and function of plants from the world’s deserts, tropical forests, and carnivorous habitats as well as the interactions of plants with insects. Time and weather permitting, we will stroll some of the 100 acre arboretum. To make reservations call: Gerry Ingco 530-893-5123

February 6 – Chico: Chico Organic Gardening Class: Robert Atkinson, Home Gardener 1:30 - 3:30 Chico Grange. Robert will discuss raised bed gardening for beginners and intermediates. Using straw as a mulch, integrating bees into the home garden, results with various varieties. Lots of slides. For more information or to register, go to: http://valleyoakmagazine.com/about/monthly-publication/organic-gardening/chico-organic-gardening-society-cogs/chico-organic-gardening-class.

February 12 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Trees in the Landscape Series: Homeowner’s Guide to Tree Care 10 am - Noon. Trees are usually the largest and oldest plants in a landscape. Providing beauty and shade, they are also undoubtedly important investments of time and money for homeowners. In this class, Turtle Bay’s Lead Gardener, (and a News Café’s “Tree Goddess” columnist), Marie Stadther, co-teaches with local IPM (integrated pest management) expert, Paul Stockton, about tree selection, correct planting, pruning, disease control, and care of older trees. 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

February 12 - Whiskeytown: Camden House Historic Site and Orchards - Advanced Pruning Workshop on Restoration of Mature Trees 10 am - 11 am. Restoration Workshop for fruit trees and ornamentals – Free - limited space available - please RSVP: Rico at 530-365-1920. Hands on fruit tree restoration activity – Also, for those who have assisted in the past and those who may be interested in learning and volunteering to help restore 100 to 150 year old apple trees. Open to people who have taken one of my classes over the last several years or similar with someone else. You don’t need to take the restoration workshop class to help with the apple restoration activity. This activity takes place right after the above workshop at 11 AM to? At the Camden House on the same day as the above. Please feel free to contact Rico Montenegro for any questions at 530-365-1920.

February 12 - Whiskeytown: Camden House Historic Site and Orchards - Hands on fruit tree restoration activity 11 am - 2 pm. For those who have assisted with the historic trees at the Camden House in the past and those who may be interested in learning and volunteering to help restore 100 to 150 year old apple trees. Open to people who have taken one of my classes over the last several years or similar with someone else. This activity takes place right after the above workshop at 11 AM to? At the Camden House on the same day as the above. Please feel free to contact Rico Montenegro for any questions at 530-365-1920.

February 12 – Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Care and Pruning of Berries: Blueberries and Cane berries 11am. All classes are free, class size is limited, please call to reserve your seat: 530-365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding, CA. For more information: www.wyntourgardens.com

February 16 - Chico: Chico Horticultural Society: Regular Member Meeting & Program by John Whittlesey on Water Conservation in the Garden 9:30 - 12 noon. Regular member Meeting and Program by nationally-renowned horticulturist John Whittlesey of Canyon Creek Nursery & Design on Water Conserving Gardening Techniques. Butte County Library, Chico Branch 1108 Sherman Avenue Chico. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.

February 16 - Redding: Shasta Rose Society: Regular Member Meeting< & Program 7 pm City of Redding Corporation Yard, 2055 Viking Way, Building 4, Rm 401. For more information: http://www.shastarosesociety.org/Shasta_Rose_Society/Home.html

February 17 - Redding: Shasta Chapter CNPS: Regular Member Meeting & Program 7 PM at the Shasta College Health Science & University Programs building in downtown Redding, 1400 Market Street, Community Room 8220 (clock tower building at the north end of the Market Street Promenade; enter on south side of building). For more Information: http://www.shastacnps.org/calendar.html

February 19 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Dynamic Soil! 10 am - Noon. Billions of microscopic creatures can live in a handful of healthy soil, and healthy soil equals healthy plants! Plants that are strong are more resistant to pests and diseases, and they make gorgeous gardens! Join Ken Waranius as he discusses the components needed to take your soil from exhausted to bountiful, naturally! 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

February 19 – Redding: Wyntour Gardens: Grape Vine Pruning Classes 11 am. All classes are free, class size is limited, please call to reserve your seat: 530-365-2256. 8026 Airport Road Redding, CA. For more information: www.wyntourgardens.com

February 21 - Colusa: Garden Club of Colusa County Regular Member Meeting & Program 6:30 - 8:30 pm. St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. For more information go to: http://colusa-garden-club.webs.com/

February 22 - Chico: Butte Rose Society General Member Meeting & Program 6 pm gather, 7 pm meeting and program begin. Chico Veterans Memorial Hall at 554 Rio Lindo Ave. For more information: http://www.butte-rosesociety.org/

February 22 - Red Bluff: Red Bluff Garden Club Regular Member Meeting & Program by Rebecca Yarrow on Herbs 12:30 pm gather, 1pm meeting and program begin. 12889 Baker Rd., Red Bluff. For more information go to: www.redbluffgardenclub.com

February 23 - Chico: Chico Horticultural Society: Evening Gardeners Meeting 7 - 8 pm. Planting a Vegetable Garden with Master Gardener Kay Perkins. Butte County Library, Chico Branch 1108 Sherman Avenue Chico. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.

February 26 – Fair Oaks: Fair Oaks Horticulture Center: Open Garden 9 am - noon. Sacramento Master Gardeners’ Advice to grow by – Ask a Master Gardener. Talk with Master Gardeners while you visit the water-efficient landscape gardens and the orchard, vineyard, berry and vegetable areas. Fair Oaks Horticulture Center is in Fair Oaks Park. Questions? Call 916-875-6913, or go to http://groups.ucanr.org/sactomg/Fair_Oaks_Horticulture_Center/

February 26 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Walk With Lisa Endicott, Horticultural Manager 9:30 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

February 27 - Redding: Shasta College Community Teaching Garden - The Early Spring Garden: Gardening in the Mud 1pm - 3 pm. Room 812, Shasta College Main Campus. This workshop will feature tips and techniques of how and when to seed and transplant early spring vegetables when your garden soil is waterlogged and seemingly unworkable. Presenter is a local organic nurseryman and advisor to the Teaching Garden. Presenter: Wayne Kessler. Fee: $15.00 For more information: http://www.shastacollege.edu/teachinggarden/

February 27 – Chico: Chico Organic Gardening Class: Lee Callender and Francine Stuelpnagel of GRUB Farm 1:30 - 3:30 Chico Grange. Lee and Francine from GRUB will share their favorite seed companies and varieties for both spring and summer planting. They will also discuss planting dates, methods, and their practical experiences in raising four acres of organic vegetables. For more information or to register, go to: http://valleyoakmagazine.com/about/monthly-publication/organic-gardening/chico-organic-gardening-society-cogs/chico-organic-gardening-class.

In a North State garden and Jewellgarden.com are THREE YEARS OLD as of February 2011. Happy Anniversary! All purchases made from Jewellgarden.com’s shop page of beautiful, botanically inspired printed products directly support the production of this weekly gardening program. All remaining 2011 Calendars and holiday cards are now on Sale 50% off! Follow Jewellgarden.com/In a North State Garden on Facebook - become a fan today!

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. It is 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.

The first real winter storm and its life-renewing precipitation has now visited our region – most likely bringing some inconvenience, but also much blessing as the season turns on its cycle from the fullness of fall to the peaceful spareness of winter.

Most gardeners I know have been slowly getting ready for winter – top dressing their borders and beds with a good compost or mulch – chopped up oak leaves and grass clippings are readily available at my house. Putting these amendments down now helps to insulate your plants from the coming temperature and humidity fluctuations, but also allows the winter rains to slowly leach the nutrients out of them and down into your soil, reducing the amount of digging in you have to do come spring. I recently attended a talk on preparing your garden for winter given by Barbara Battaglia of Mendons Nursery in Paradise and she recommend applying a 0-10-10 fertilizer to just about all of your plants other than citrus right now as well. This level of fertilizer will give the root systems of your plants a boost for their winter work beneath the soil without adding any nitrogen, which would promote unwanted green growth. Pay attention to frost warnings and protect tender plants - many people recommend twinkle lights on citrus, frost cloth or moving what you can under house eaves or into garages or outbuildings until the danger has passed.

As long as the soil is workable, we are still in a really good window for the planting of new perennials, shrubs and trees – and bare root season will be in full swing by January.

Cutting back of perennials and edibles that have run their course continues – although I like to leave seed heads on many of my herbaceous perennials for the birds to be able to snack on weather permitting. My hummingbird feeder is now up and active again as many of my hummingbird nectar plants have finished their bloom time, but Anna’s Hummingbird our overwintering resident – is still hungry. Watching a busy hummingbird at the feeder outside of my kitchen window is one of many gifts of the season.

Gifts of the season are on most people’s mind this year. My favorites, you ask? You just can’t go wrong with something for your favorite gardeners from one of their local bookstores, cooking stores or independent nurseries. A gift certificate, a gift subscription to a gardening publication or gardening class series, some new gloves, a decadent gardening book. A big new garden pot that they would not buy for themselves. Even something as little as getting your favorite gardener’s garden clippers cleaned and sharpened for the coming season will go a long way to showing that you love them. Gifts of the season are the overriding theme in the calendar of gardening events this month - look through the events for wonderful opportunities to make gifts of your own, or consider Jewellgarden.com - all purchases of Jewellgarden’s lovely, botanically inspired and locally produced items support regional gardening and plant programming including the production of In a North State Garden. May the gifts of your season be those of peace, time with people and in places that remind you of the beauty of the world in which we live - and which we work and hope to make an even better place. Happy Holiday and Happy New Year to you wherever you may garden.

DECEMBER 2010

December 3 - 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

December 4 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Wreath Making Workshop 9 AM - 12 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 youths 16 or older). Pre-registration required, call 242-3108 to pre-register. Members $35, nonmembers $40 Turtle Bay Visitor Center – JSS Classroom More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 4 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Charlie Rabbit and Friends 9:30 AM. An interactive program in the Gardens (or Greenhouse in rain) for children, their siblings, parents and grandparents. 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 4 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Planting Day: Woodson Bridge Valley Oak Restoration 9:30 am Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 32 & 99) or at 10 am the kiosk of Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area. Bring Lunch, Water and wear gardening gear. We will be planting Valley Oak acorns in a new riparian area on the Sacramento River presently plagued with invasives. Nature walk through the new natural area included. Leaders, Jim Dempsey 530-846-1435 and Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293

December 4 - Redding: Wyntour Gardens: WYNTOUR WONDERLAND ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE You are cordially invited to attend Wyntour Gardens’ Annual Holiday Open House celebration to kick off the Holiday Season. Enjoy a nice cup of warm apple cider and munch on delicious goodies, while strolling through their beautiful holiday displays, created with a different theme every year by George & Carol Winter and their elves (staff). Make this one of your Holiday Traditions! Open 8am to 5pm. 8026 Airport Rd Redding, CA 96002-9445 (530) 365-2256

December 4 - Redding: Wyntour Gardens: KIDS HOLIDAY PLANTING PARTY 10am to Noon: Join our annual KIDS HOLIDAY PLANTING PARTY, during our Annual HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE. This has become a Holiday Tradition for many of our families. Kids get to plant a holiday basket of pansies to take home and enjoy for the holidays or give as a gift. While you are here, check out our displays and enjoy a goodie or two. This is a great way to kick-off the Holiday Season and fun for the whole family! 8026 Airport Rd Redding, CA 96002-9445 (530) 365-2256

December 4 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: California’s Native Plants 11 a.m., Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center, Old Davis Road, UC Davis. Tour the Mary Wattis Brown Garden focusing on plants native to California’s Central Valley. Learn more about these plants and why they thrive in our regional ecosystem. 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.

December 5 - Redding: Shasta Chapter Cal Native Plant Society: Mushroom Field Trip 9 AM City Hall Parking Lot. Join Susan Libonati, botanist and mycologist, and Ken Kilborn for a mushroom outing. The destination will be announced when we meet; we may drive half an hour out of Redding. You may bring along your own mushrooms for identification. Meet at 9 AM in the Redding City Hall parking lot, on the back (south) side of the building, next to Parkview Avenue. The City Hall is located at 777 Cypress Avenue—just west of the Cypress Avenue bridge over the Sacramento River. Bring lunch and water, and be prepared for cold, rain, and no facilities. Call Susan (347-4654) or Ken (221-2339) for details.

December 5 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: Centerville Flume 9 am Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwys 32 & 99). Bring lunch, water, insect/sun protection, and money for ride sharing. Wear hiking gear. On our annual stroll along one of Chico’s most delightful walks, we will see the last of summer’s blooms (lessingia, snapdragon, camporum) and the first of the winter ones (manzanita, bay, mistletoe). We have recorded more than 24 species in bloom along here over the past years. Leaders, Gerry Ingco 530-893-5123 and Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293

December 5 - Chico: The Plant Barn: Wreath Making Workshop 1 pm and 3 pm. Reservations required and filling fast - make this your annual holiday tradition - fun, fun, fun with your favorite and festive flower floozy elves. 406 Entler Avenue. Chico, CA 95928-9579 (530) 345-3121 www.theplantbarn.com.

December 8 – 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.

December 9 - 11 – Red Bluff: Red Bluff Garden Club Holiday Scholarship Boutique 216 Pine Street, the Victorian on the corner of Pine and Rio. The wreaths, swags, center pieces, table & mantel runners, are made from fresh pine, fir, redwood, cedar, arborvitae, holly, magnolia, laurel, bay and other plant material that will last the season. All of the fresh plant material provides the smells of Christmas even if an artificial tree is being used. Beautiful ribbons, cones, berries and other colorful dry material are used to decorate the wreaths and table designs. These handmade wreaths are priced two to three times less than the wreaths which can be purchased from catalogs and the internet because the greens come from the gardens of members and willing friends and neighbors. If you have a tree or shrub that needs to be pruned and you would like to contribute the pruned plant material for the wreaths call 527-4578. For more info: www.redbluffgardenclub.com

December 11 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Family 2nd Saturday - Holiday Festival 10:30 AM - 3:30. Get in the holiday spirit and create holiday-themed crafts or a gift for someone special while enjoying a festive atmosphere! Spread the holiday cheer and make your own peanut butter pinecone bird feeder. A merry event for the whole family. Free with Park admission. Paul Bunyan’s Forest Camp More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 11 – Davis: UC Davis Arboretum: Guided Tour: Why Do Some Trees Lose Their Leaves? 11 a.m., Gazebo, Garrod Drive, UC Davis Arboretum. A look at the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees in the Shields Oak Grove. 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.

December 11 - Chico: Chico Horticulture Society: Holiday Greens Workshop 2 - 4 pm. Come make festive wreaths, swags and centerpieces for gifts or your own holiday home! All materials provided, bring your own container for special centerpiece arrangements. $12 fee for materials. Chico Library 1108 Sherman Avenue in Chico. Register by calling Avis Barrett at: 530-343-6738. More info: email President Jon Bennet at: ChicoGardenClub@yahoo.com.

December 11 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Winter in the Woods - Members Only Holiday Festival 5 - 7 pm. Get in the holiday spirit and Come enjoy a members-only evening of holiday cheer and tasteful shopping! • Take a stroll down the twinkling lights of the boardwalk • Get first choice of special Holiday merchandise • Listen to Holiday music • Meet Santa • MEMBERS RECEIVE 20% OFF all Museum Store merchandise this evening only • Children’s activities provided Free Members’ Only event Museum Store More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 19 – Redding: McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens at Turtle Bay: Lookout Tree Take Down Party 1 - 4 pm. Delight in this whimsical and imaginative willow sculpture by internationally acclaimed environmental artist Patrick Dougherty. Some art is meant to be with us for only a short time. Help us celebrate the end of winter and the end of this beautiful sculpture at a special Lookout Tree “take down” party. Bring your garden gloves. Free with Park or Garden admission. Turtle Bay’s McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens - Carl & Leah’s Meadow. From N. Market Street, turn on Arboretum Drive. Take right fork. Parking lot and entrance are on the left. More info: 530-242-3178 or www.turtlebay.org/nursery

December 21 - Full Moon/Winter Solstice

January 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January 1 - Chico: Mt Lassen Chapter Cal Native Plant Society - Field Trip: Upper Bidwell Park Banana Belt Hike 10 am Meet at Horsehoe Lake Parking lot in Upper Bidwell Park. Bring lunch, water, insect/sun/cold/rain protection. Wear hiking gear. Start the new year right with a brisk scramble up the North Ridge up above Horseshoe Lake. On windless, cloudless nights, it can be 10 degrees warmer up there due to temperature inversion, hence we often see the first of the new year’s blooms. Leaders, Gerry Ingco 530-893-5123 and Wes Dempsey 530-342-2293

January 2 – Butte Rose Society: Rose Pruning Demonstration 10 am Stansbury House, 307 W. 5th Street Chico. A yearly, fun and educational event teaching rose lovers of all skill levels how best to prune all manner of roses. For more information, contact President Neva Youngs at 530-588-0158. www.butte-rose-society.org.

January 10 -11 – Chico: Northern California Botanists 2011 Symposium California State University Chico, BMU Auditorium. Two days of fascinating presentations and posters of all manner of topic related to botany - from the very general to the highly technical. For Program and Registration Information got to www.norcalbotanists.org

January 15 – Mills Orchard: Pruning Your Home Orchard 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., cost is $20.00. Please wear warm clothing and be prepared to do hands on pruning. If you have pruning loppers, hand shears, bring them. Gloves recommended. Participants will learn how to plant/train the new fruit tree and how to prune established trees. Taught by Pam Geisel, University of California Master Gardener Program Coordinator & Bill Krueger; Pomologist for UC Cooperative Extension. To register, please go to: http://ceglenn.ucdavis.edu/OrchardCrops_MainPage/ Or call (530) 865-1107. The class will be held at 7782 County Road 16; Mills Orchard, CA (located between Hamilton City and Orland, CA off of Highway 32). Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tab=wl

January 16 – Chico: 1st in a series of 10 Chico Organic Gardening Class: 1:30 - 3:30 Chico Grange. Whether you are a novice or have gardened for many years, you will enjoy the presentations from experts in growing delicious and beautiful vegetables, fruits, eggs, and more. For more information or to register, go to: http://valleyoakmagazine.com/about/monthly-publication/organic-gardening/chico-organic-gardening-society-cogs/chico-organic-gardening-class.

January 27 -30 – Chico: Snowgoose Festival - Experience the Wonders of the Pacific Flyway Over 50 guided field trips and workshops; Junior Naturalist Activities; Art Exhibition & Reception and Avenue 9 Gallery & The Artistry; Banquet and Silent Auction - John Muir Law, Naturalist; Exhibits and Vendors Galore! Registration begins in early December: www.snowgoosefestival.org; 530-345-1865; info@snowgoosefestival.org

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.

Follow Jewellgarden.com/In a North State Garden on Facebook - become a fan today!

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.

Bridgette Brick-Wells, founder of the Healthy Lunch & Lifestyles Project working in Shasta, Tehama and Butte Counties; Gina Sims, Garden Coordinator at Chico Country Day Charter School and also working with the Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion at CSU, Chico; and Debra Abbott, School Garden Educator in the Chico Unified School District as well as with the Chico Area Recreation District (CARD), all joined me for special one-hour live program on Tuesday October 19th from 10 am - 11 am. We discussed how school gardens, farm-to-school connections and healthy school lunch options are sowing the seeds for better life-long physical, cultural, environmental and economic health throughout our region. Photo: Kids in a young gardening program at Chico Christian School in Chico. (more…)

They catch the light - especially the low, soft slanting light of Autumn; they dance in the slightest breeze; they hold dew drops and rain drops like pearls, winking on a string; they arch and drape and cascade, adding both vertical and horizontal beauty and interest to any garden; they are often drought tolerant and deer resistant, and many of them provide both forage and shelter for native and migrating song birds. They are ornamental grasses, and with more varieties, colors, shapes and sizes (and native choices) available to home gardeners every year, there is one (or 30) to brighten and dress-up just about any garden throughout the seasons. Photo: Deer grass under planted with blue fescue in the California display garden at the McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. (more…)

I have said this before: October in the Northstate garden is a sigh of relief. A deep cleansing breath. Summer’s heat has mostly subsided, fall rains are returning, but the garden is not yet done. Its colors are deepening and mellow; October to me is about this seasonal artistry and seasonal surprise. (more…)

Ahhh, long hot days, coolish nights and the plump, fragrant flesh of tomatoes. August is the iridescent shimmer of sunshine along the edge of the scented foliage of exuberant tomato plants – running wild in the vegetable garden. It is the salads and soups and sandwiches made of this most anticipated summer fruit/vegetable. Photo: Fragrant tomato leaf glistening in the early morning sun.

Photo: The wide variety of tomatoes in my garden this year - seedlings of which I got from Brian Marshall and Nancy Heinzel of Sawmill Creek Farms in Paradise (marshall-n@sbcglobal.net) - if you ask me, the little purple red ones are the very best - Black Plum, they’re called. (more…)