Prepare for Spring with February Gardening Classes

The Rain has arrived! How wonderful to see our reservoirs, lakes and streams filling with life-giving water for the coming growing year!

If the weather is keeping you out of the garden, it’s a good time to start checking out all those great seed catalogs (online or in print) in preparation for spring planting. Also stop by the new Seed Bank on the corner of Petaluma Boulevard and Washington in Petaluma. Offering Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, they have 190 varieties of tomatoes, 150 varieties of squash and more than 100 melons: all organic and heirloom non-hybrid, non-GMO, non- treated, and non-patented. A great place to browse and come away with some fun new seeds to try this year: I bought a couple varieties of morning glory that I have not been able to find elsewhere. The Seed Bank also has a selection of fun garden-related gifts.

If you have a cold frame or indoor seed starting area, you can start cool weather crops this month (lettuce, kale, broccoli, chard), so that they can be transplanted outdoors early in the spring.

If you haven’t finished your rose pruning, this is the time to get it done! Unsure of your technique? I offer individual Garden Coaching in your garden: I will teach you how to prune any and all plants to promote health and better blooming in the coming months. Call me at 829-2455: reasonable hourly rates.

Mark your calendar for these fun and informative classes coming up in 2010 on Saturdays at 10:30am at Bassignani’s Nursery- they are all free! 1841 Gravenstein Highway South, Sebastopol Info: 823-3984

February 6 - Plant your Sweet Peas Now! Our own English gardener Claudia Owens will introduce you to the wonderful world of sweet peas: so easy and so lovely! Learn how to grow your own with minimal effort : you will have vases full of fragrance and color.

February 13 - Grafting Fruit Trees Successfully Grow 4 different apples on one tree! Multi-graft trees are fun, and a great way to maximize your fruit production in a small space. Tony Bassignani demonstrates the technique for grafting your own fruit trees.

February 20 - Camellia Festival Join us for a exciting introduction to the care, feeding and enjoyment of these great landscape standards. Our expert horticulturalist Ken Eliason will teach you the difference between Japonica and Sasanqua, and how to make them an exciting part of your garden! KSRO Garden Talk with Steve Garner will be broadcasting live from the nursery today!

Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.