SESSION A – 8:35 – 10:15 A.M.

A10 IMAGINING THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDEN

Plants native to California are often relegated to wild, naturalistic gardens. A choice few have become standard components of more conventional designed landscapes. Thanks to a heightened interest in regionally appropriate, sustainable landscapes, native plants are being used in increasingly innovative ways. This presentation will illustrate some intriguing examples of the promise they hold for our diverse landscapes.

CAROL BORNSTEIN is Director of Nursery and Horticultural Outreach at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, where she has worked since 1981. She orchestrated the transformation of the garden's famous meadow into a more authentic representation of California's native grassland communities and has championed native plants and regionally appropriate landscaping through her writing and teaching. Carol also manages the garden's plant introduction program, which brings outstanding selections of California native plants to the gardening public. With Bart O'Brien and David Fross, she co-authored the national award-winning book, California Native Plants for the Garden, published by Cachuma Press in 2005.

A11 PROTECTING YOUR PROPERTY WITH WILDFIRE LANDSCAPING

Our best efforts to protect property from wildland fire involve a systems approach to the entire home site and the community that abuts wildlands. Although property loss during severe wildfires is greatly reduced by building the most non-combustible homes possible, landscaping also plays a vital role in structure survivability. The term landscape is not well defined, and here in Southern California it may refer to native vegetation or ornamental plants in a garden.

Fire personnel look at all landscapes as a fuel type. In ornamental landscapes, fuels may occur in two forms. First, the plant material is itself a fuel. Secondly, fuels in a landscape can be manmade as small dimension wood structures of any kind, and fabric furniture or awnings. This presentation will discuss effective design and maintenance criteria for "firescaping" in Southern California's fire environment.

MICHAEL SCOTT is the Urban Forester for Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in San Diego County. The Fire District covers approximately 42 square miles in the unincorporated area of the County. Mr. Scott has 27 years experience as a Municipal, State, and Federal Forester and Fire Fighter. As the Urban Forester, he oversees vegetation management programs for wildfire hazard reduction in the Fire District. His fire management projects have comprised hundreds of acres in biologically-sensitive habitats and in communities that abut the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Additionally, he has helped develop and enforce local, WUI Fire Codes. His most recent endeavor included damage and save assessments of residences in the Witch and Harris Fires. His professional interests include wildland fire behavior, wildfire modeling, and firewise landscaping. Mr. Scott received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Association of Fire Ecology, and the Southern California Fire Prevention Officers WUI Committee.

A12 SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES FOR A WATER-WISE SAN DIEGO

Water available for gardening in San Diego will sooner or later be in short supply. As homeowners switch from lawns and other high water use plantings to water-wise landscapes they will not only save money on their water bills, but realize other great benefits - less maintenance, fewer weeds, more wildlife and minimal negative effects on the environment. Don Schultz will lead a lively discussion on how the Water Conservation Garden practices sustainable landscaping techniques and give ideas for homeowners to create their own sustainable garden. Don will also talk about many of his favorite California-friendly plants that have been great successes at the Garden.

DON SCHULTZ has close to 30 years experience in the green industry including landscape maintenance and nursery work. He is currently the Horticulture Manager for the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. He has 15 years experience in water management consulting for large commercial and residential landscape projects. He also served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala from 1985 - 1988.

A13 SELECTING AND GROWING THE BEST ROSES FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY

This will be a Power Point presentation featuring Hybrid Teas, Floribundas, Climbers, Shrubs and other varieties selected by members of the San Diego Rose Society as their favorites and highlighting those that are easiest to grow. There will be information presented and several handouts available on soil preparation, feeding, controlling pests and pestilence and general culture. Emphasis will be placed on disease resistant roses and ease of care. There will be lots of photos.

ROGER ENGLISH is a retired physician, UC Master Gardener, certified consulting rosarian and the current president of the San Diego Rose Society. Roger is enthusiastic about roses and loves to share his knowledge and experience with others to help them grow beautiful roses.

A14 FEATHERED FRIENDS IN THE GARDEN: ATTRCTING AND ENJOYING LOCAL BIRDS

Creating a bird friendly habitat in your backyard or garden is a lot of fun and can greatly increase the enjoyment of your own yard. We will be talking about ways to encourage an abundance of birds for you to watch. An audio/visual display of the most beautiful and exciting backyard birds in San Diego County will be highlighted during the discussion. There are some challenges to bird friendly habitats and workable solutions will also be presented

HOWARD BISHOP owns and operates Wild Birds Unlimited in Carlsbad, CA. At WBU, Howard educates the public on how to create environmentally friendly habitats that bring people and nature together. He is also a regular speaker at garden clubs throughout San Diego County.

A15 EASY-CARE GERANIUMS FOR YEAR-ROUND BLOOM & DROUGHT TOLERANCE

Gerald Stewart has grown "geraniums" since he was three years old, when a babysitter took him to a nursery and bought him a black-flowered Martha Washington geranium. (That's over a half century of experience growing these plants!). Jerry studied horticulture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and has worked in the nursery industry for thirty years. He studied photography at Palomar College specifically to learn to take effective slides that clearly support his lectures. He is past president of the San Diego Geranium Society, Orange County Chapter and North San Diego County Chapter of California Association of Nurserymen. He has served as chair of the advisory committee for the agriculture program at Vista High School. Jerry has been published in four countries, and until recently wrote a garden column for North County Times and lectures frequently. He has been proprietor of New Leaf for over twenty-five years. The nursery currently grows specialty pelargonium, cranesbills that do well in Southern California and colorfully foliaged plants.

GERALD STEWART studied horticulture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and has worked in the nursery industry for thirty years. He studied photography at Palomar College specifically to learn to take effective slides that clearly support his lectures. He is past president of North San Diego County Chapter of California Association of Nurserymen. He has served as chair of the advisory committee for the agriculture program at Vista High School. Jerry has been published in four countries, and until recently wrote a garden column for North County Times and lectures frequently. He has been proprietor of New Leaf for over twenty-five years. The nursery currently grows specialty pelargonium, cranesbills that do well in Southern California and colorfully foliaged plants.

A16 BACKYARD ORCHARD CULTURE

Backyard orchard culture is for the beginner and the experienced gardener. It is a program of maintaining fruit trees in less space, and controlling the size to a more manageable height. Some refer to the end result as "fruit bushes". Using slides and props, Tom Spellman will demonstrate ease and practicality of size and space control of hedgerows, espaliers, and multi-budded fruit trees. He will discuss successive ripening (planting varieties that ripen one after another), and summer pruning. A general exploration of how growing fruit trees commercially differs from the needs of home gardeners.

TOM SPELLMAN of Dave Wilson Nursery has thirty-two years experience in the nursery business. He specializes in the propagation and cultivation of avocado trees, citrus trees, subtropical fruit trees, deciduous fruit trees and grafted ornamental trees. Tom has been involved in orchard development and evaluations of damage from insects, viruses and diseases since 1981. Currently, Tom is Southwestern Sales manager for Dave Wilson Nursery, servicing accounts in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. He has contributed information and articles to Sunset magazine, L.A. Times, Orange County Register, Daily Bulletin, ABC Evening News, International Plant Propagation Society, Garden Compass magazine and radio spots for the Garden Compass Radio network and television spots with DIY cable network with the show "Weekend Gardener" television spots with HGTV cable network for the show "Gardening By The Yard". Tom is member of the California Rare Fruit Growers Association, International Plant Propagation Society, California Association of Nurserymen and California Citrus Nursery Association.

A17 GROWING ORCHIDS IN SAN DIEGO

Though Genie Hammond is known for successfully growing many of the very hard-to-grow orchids, she is also known for successfully growing a wide range of orchids out-of-doors and as general house plants, using untreated San Diego water and general good gardening practices. She will share her many years of experience, giving you an overview of orchids that you, too, can grow easily in your home and yard without going to the work and expense of a greenhouse. In fact, your plants will thank you and reward you with much hardier flowers. Genie will be glad to answer your questions regarding your orchids so bring them with you. Come join in on this informative orchid talk and learn from an expert how you too, can enjoy the success of growing healthy, beautiful orchids.

GENIE HAMMOND a native of San Diego and owner of Parkview Orchids in Chula Vista has been growing orchids for 50 years. She has lectured numerous times to local garden clubs and schools, and she has given free monthly lectures at her nursery. Genie is currently serving her third two-year term as President of the San Diego County Orchid Society and has also served as their Show Chair

A18 COMPOST: NO LONGER THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRET IN THE GARDEN

A brief history of Assembly Bill 939, the California trash reduction bill will righteously motivate us to adopt the thrifty habit of composting to benefit our environment while improving our gardens. Beginning composters will learn about the major composting styles, active vs. passive, as well as how to build a compost pile - including what to put in the pile and what to leave out and why. Experienced composters will enjoy a review of the myriad types of bins. Everyone should gain a better appreciation for the incredible critters that transform compost. By the end of this class, even if you don't want to hug an earthworm, at least you will no longer lie awake at night worrying about that incredibly intimidating two-inch long grub in your compost pile with a face only a mother could love!

CAROL FRYE GRAHAM is a San Diego County native, both a Master Gardener and a Master Composter, who grew up enjoying gardening. In December 1975, Carol and her non-gardening husband bought a nice little site that appeared perfect for growing fruit trees in Encinitas (the realtor said something about 3 bedrooms & 2 baths, but let's keep our priorities straight!). Life in the garden was pretty fulfilling, eating the fruits of her labors and sharing with neighbors, but something was not in balance. She tired of buying soil amendments and of hauling cans of green waste to the curb on trash day. One day at the library, she checked out her first book on composting. TRANSFORMATION! No more buying soil amendments and no more hauling endless cans to the curb on trash day. Since then, for the last fifteen years, every bit of what formerly had been green waste has been converted into a valuable resource to help her garden grow. MORAL: Composting will enrich your life in the garden.

 

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SESSION B – 10:45 - 12:45 P.M.

B20 THE MAGIC OF PLANTING WITH SEEDS

Did you know you can improve your soil, save money and water, plant a whole garden, inspire a child, and grow plants never found in nurseries all by planting from seeds? It's fun and it's easy, but in order to have success you first need to learn the secrets of seeds. Which seeds are tricky, which ones are easy, which ones need light and which ones need darkness? When, where, and how should you plant them? This information-packed talk, illustrated with hands-on demonstrations and spectacular slides will unlock all the secrets of seeds and teach you many amazing tips, hints, and tricks for growing them. (Detailed handout included.)

PAT WELSH, an honorary Master Gardener, is the author of Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening: A Month-by-Month Guide, often called "the gardener's bible", and other books. During more than 30 years as a garden communicator, Pat has been a garden editor, columnist, TV host, author, photographer, public speaker, landscape consultant, and winner of many awards, including the San Diego Emmy.

B21 A WORLD OF SUCCULENTS AND THEIR CULTURE

This talk will cover succulents and why they should be "the choice" plants for our gardens.

JOE CLEMENTS is the current Director of the Pitzer College arboretum and was the former curator of the Desert Garden at the Huntington Botanical Gardens. He has been growing succulents for more than thirty years, served as a national board member of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America and is an author of "Dry Climate Gardening".

B22 THE ART OF NATIVE LANDSCAPING

This class will deal with all aspects of implementing a native landscape-native ecology, landscape styles, garden design, plant selection, site preparation, soil amendments (none), fertilizing (none), irrigation, planting, mulching, landscape features, and maintenance. Greg Rubin has also been quite active in developing "Firescaping" plans and installations as a result of the devastating fires in San Diego County. Be prepared to take almost everything you know about ornamental horticulture and throw it out the window! The presentation is packed with details, some of which are real paradigm busters.

GREG RUBIN owner of California's Own Native Landscape Design, started working with native plants back in 1985, while renovating his parent's home in Chatsworth, CA. Although educated and employed as a successful engineer, Greg maintained a fascination with natives based on this early experience. Soon he was landscaping for friends and family on weekends and holidays. Demand continued to rise, and by 1993, Greg was able to start his successful and unusual landscaping business. Since that time his company has installed over 200 landscapes in San Diego County. Greg's company has also designed over 200 other gardens in the area. He has been featured in a number of periodicals, including the Fallbrook Enterprise, North County Times, San Diego Union-Tribune and magazines such as Sunset, Wild Garden, San Diego Home and Garden, San Diego Reader, California Gardener, and KUSI TV garden show. One of his gardens was featured on the Lake Hodges Native Plant Club's spring garden tour. Greg recently completed the design and installation of two syndicated nationwide episodes of Backyard Habitat, and a Native Habitat for "Animal Planet". He is often requested as a guest speaker and lecturer for numerous groups, including The Huntington in San Marino, Cal State San Marcos, Palomar Community College, Cuyamaca College and numerous garden clubs throughout Southern California. Visit his website at www.calown.com

B23 DESIGN IDEAS FOR MEDITERRANEAN AND TUSCAN GARDENS

In this session Annie Hall will discuss how to incorporate Mediterranean and Tuscan style plants in your yard. Using these beautiful plants can create a low maintenance and low water garden. Our Southern California Mediterranean climate is the perfect environment for using these natural beauties.

ANNIE HALL has degrees in both Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design. She has been running her own landscape design business since 1990. She teaches many classes on gardening and landscaping as well as doing lectures for many Orange County garden clubs, special interest groups, The Master Gardeners and the Orange County Fair. She is also an instructor at Saddleback College in the Landscape Design and Horticulture Department.

Her business is primarily residential design and consultation work. Her projects include a wide range of styles such as traditional, tropical and Mediterranean, however she has especially become known for her Cottage and Perennial style garden designs. She has done over a dozen guest appearances on HDTV's sister station the Do-It-Yourself network (DYI), appearing on both the Do-It-Yourself Landscaper and the Do-It-Yourself Gardener. Her work and home have been featured in Sunset Magazine (3 times). She has also been featured in The Register and The LA Times. And she has worked on landscape design projects for 7 of the Orange County Philharmonic House of Design Homes.

B24 GARDENING IS FOR THE BIRDS: HOW TO CREATE A WILDLIFE HABITAT IN YOUR BACKYARD

Learn how to provide the elements that make your home into a wildlife friendly habitat: food, water, shelter, nesting sites and organic practices. These practices lead to a healthier and more beautiful landscape.

CONNIE BECK is a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Host volunteer for National Wildlife Federation. As such she trains stewards who are the frontline people working to create habitats in schools, churches, businesses and people's backyards. Connie's belief is that one person at a time can make a difference by giving up toxic chemicals and providing the basic necessities for wildlife: food, water, cover and a place to raise their young.

Connie speaks Spanish, has a B.A. from Stanford University in Anthropology, and has taken several years of ornamental horticulture classes at Cuyamaca College. She likes to hike, teach, read, garden and travel. Connie loves to visit gardens everywhere she goes!

B25 'ALMOST' YEAR-ROUND BLOOMERS AND THEIR CARE

Every gardener would like to have plants that bloom year-round. Most plants only bloom during one season, but there are some plants that do bloom throughout the year in our area. In this class Evelyn will talk about some of the best plants, and provide some tips how to keep each one blooming its best all year. Evelyn will bring a collection of live plants to display in the class. She will also ask participants to suggest other plants, so put your brain to work and be ready to add your favorite plant to her list

EVELYN WEIDNER has put her personal touch and down-to-earth approach in running her nursery and this is what has endeared her to customers and fellow nursery owners alike. She comes to the business with a heritage planted by her nursery-owning parents and cultivated during her marriage and partnership with horticulturalist Bob Weidner. Evelyn's achievements have been well recognized: San Diego Horticultural Society's Horticulturalist of the Year in 2001; the California State Legislature designated her Woman of the Year in 1998; and The San Diego Flower Growers named her Person of the Year in 1995. Evelyn is the co-founder of Proven Winners, an international group of horticulturalists that search for new and unusual plants, then introduce them to the public. She is the owner and operator of Weidners' Gardens in Encinitas, where education has been part of the shopping experience for the past 40 years. Evelyn's daughter, Mary Witesman, grew up in the business, and as manager will carry forth the tradition established by her parents.

B26 TEMPTING SUBTROPICAL FRUIT TREES FOR YOUR GARDEN OF EDEN

You live in San Diego County and can grow many subtropical trees, which make you the envy of friends and relatives all over the country. Tom will teach you which trees will do best for you. He will discuss good cultural practices including how to keep them beautiful with fertilization, watering and, of course, how to manage those pesky insects which show up uninvited. Those with subtropical trees in your garden, feel free to bring samples to ask this professional expert, and as always, questions from the audience are welcome!

TOM DEL HOTAL a nurseryman for 36 years, holds 4 advanced certifications from the California Association of Nursery Professionals. In addition, he is a certified arborist, a certified pesticide applicator, and a member of the International Plant Propagators Society. He currently works full time at the Home Depot in Lemon Grove as a sales associate and as district trainer for the garden department. Tom is also a part-time horticulture instructor in the Landscape and Nursery Department at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. He served as technical proof reader and contributing editor of the new Ortho book All About Citrus and Subtropical Fruit. In addition, he has also restarted his own nursery "Fantasia Gardens" which is a part-time business out of Tom's private property in Lemon Grove where he grows a large variety of subtropical and temperate fruiting plants as well as some very unusual ornamentals. Fantasia Gardens is open by appointment only.

Tom has been a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers (CRFG) for the past 25 years and an avid grower of a great variety of fruiting plants. He is a past president of the San Diego Chapter of the CRFG and worked for Pacific Tree Farms as the manager and propagator for more than 12 years. Tom is an experienced lecturer and speaker and gives may excellent presentations to gardening organizations as well as at fairs, seminars and special events.

B27 BEST BULBS FOR SAN DIEGO

Come and learn about the diverse and unusual bulbs, both evergreen and deciduous that we can grow in USDA zones 9 & 10, (Sunset zones 19 - 24). No digging up, no chilling, just flowers year after year. Learn how to incorporate these plants into your gardens for year-round color. Bulbs are excellent for extending bloom in small space gardens or for a seasonal splash in low water areas. Learn how to use bulbs in concert with perennials and even as shrub borders in your garden. Mary will bring bulbs and plants for sale to anyone interested.

MARY MCBRIDE is a 'retired' master gardener who trained at UC Riverside. She worked at Buena Creek Nursery for nine years and was its first employee. She eventually became nursery manager and propagation manager. Mary has also propagated for Piergrossi Landscape Nursery. She has written or consulted on articles for many gardening publications and has spoken to groups and clubs throughout Southern California. Mary is currently launching 'Mary's Garden,' which specializes in re-blooming and other irises, daylilies, South African bulbs and an eclectic assortment of plants for Southern California that are not easily found. Mary also does consulting and designing for Karme Landscape.

B28 HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF JAPANESE GARDEN DESIGN

This class aims to introduce many of the basic principles and techniques of Japanese garden design. As the opening line of the 11th century garden manual Sakuteiki states, "In making the garden, you should first understand the overall principles." We will learn from our study that understanding these principles requires us to understand some of the cultural as well as technical aspects behind the designs. I will also illustrate how to apply these techniques to the climate and society of our region while retaining the spirit of Japanese gardens.

KEN SIERS is a licensed landscape architect. After receiving his degree in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, he worked and studied under the direction of Dr. Takeo Uesugi, designer of the San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden. Siers heads Kenneth C. Siers and Associates, Landscape Architects, is an Adjunct Professor at his alma mater, and teaches a Japanese garden design class in the Ornamental Horticulture department at Cuyamaca Community College held at the Friendship Garden. He has frequently traveled to Japan for in-depth studies at many of that nation's gardens, and works continually to advance his understanding of the genre. Siers' work includes projects throughout the western United States and in Beijing, China.

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SESSION C – 1:40 - 3:10 P.M.

C30 DESIGNING WITH SUCCULENTS

Our region is ideal for growing succulents, as evidenced by the many San Diego gardens in Debra Lee Baldwin's bestselling book, Designing with Succulents (Timber Press, 2007). These geometric, architectural plants -- with leaves in every hue, including blue -- delight designers, who are using them for everything from focal points to firebreaks. Whether you're planting a hillside or doing patio pots, Debra will explain how you can create a lush, low-water garden that is easy-care and expresses your personality. She will sign books before and after her presentation.

DEBRA LEE BALDWIN is an award-winning garden photojournalist who specializes in visually dynamic ideas for dry gardens. Debra's best-selling book, Designing with Succulents, was published in '07 by Timber Press. Designing with Succulents spent 19 straight weeks on Amazon's list of the top ten garden books, has gone into a third printing, and a French translation is in the works.

Debra writes and scouts for Sunset, and is the monthly garden columnist for San Diego Home/Garden magazine. Her articles and photos also appear in major newspapers, such as the Dallas Morning News, the San Diego Union-Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. Debra collaborated on Sunset's California Top 10 Garden Guide, a book for beginning gardeners, and she updated the succulent entries that appear in the new edition of the Sunset Western Garden Book. Her own garden, near San Diego, has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens and other publications. Visit her website at www.debraleebaldwin.com.

C31 CHAPARRAL, FIRE & LIFE IN SAN DIEGO: ENJOYING NATURE & DISPELLING MYTHS

Of all the distinct, natural communities in California, only one is found throughout and only one can be said to represent the state's most characteristic plant community: the chaparral, an association of remarkable plants shaped by summer drought, winter rain and an extremely fragile relationship with wildfire. Join us as we explore the chaparral's unique natural history, its importance to San Diego, and why it represents such a vital link to nature for all Californians. We will also be discussing the best way to reduce fire risk in our communities by starting from the house out rather than from the wildland in.

RICHARD HALSEY is the director of the California Chaparral Institute, a research and educational organization dedicated to protecting California's shrubland ecosystems. He has just released the second edition of his popular book "Fire, Chaparral, and Survival in Southern California."

C32 ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING YOUR GARDEN

Good Design is the key element to a pleasant garden, being it large or small. This session intends to introduce the attendees to some fundamental principles and techniques of design. Giving some ideas, and practical information to plan a garden that is in harmony with the house and its surroundings.

Basic measurements techniques to create a site plan, and show existing plant material, along with choice of surfaces, enclosures, fire pits, pots and light will be covered.

AMELIA B. LIMA studied architecture at Universidade Santa Ursula , Rio de Janeiro. Brazil. She moved to the US in 1982 and attained an associate degree from William Rainey Harper College, Chicago, Ill. She has been a certified professional designer with the Association of Landscape Designers since 2000.

Amelia Lima has been designing since 1989 and has projects completed in Rio, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, and San Diego. In 1989 she met and trained with Roberto Burle Marx in Rio, Brazil. In 1996 and 1997 Lima worked in the design office of Peter Hornbeck in North Andover, Massachusetts. Hornbeck was a professor in the Landscape Architecture graduate program at Harvard University.

In 2004 Amelia Lima earned the following awards: First Place for Residential Landscape in the $25,000- $75,000 category for the 2004 APLD Landscape Design Program; third place for Best Garden and first place for Best Plant Combination in the San Diego Spring Garden Show; and the Award of Merit in the 2004 San Diego County Fair.

C33 FLOWERING TROPICALS AND SUBTROPICALS FOR GARDEN COLOR

This class will feature a PowerPoint presentation illustrating distinctive flowering tropicals and subtropicals available at the Kartuz Greenhouses. These flowering plants include begonias, gesneriads, hoyas, passifloras, and many other unusual and little known genera. You will learn the best ways to plant and grow them successfully to color your garden. MICHAEL KARTUZ established Kartuz Greenhouses, a mail order and retail nursery in 1960 in Wilmington, Massachusetts. In 1980 rising fuel prices convinced Kartuz to relocate to Vista, California, providing an opportunity to greatly expand the variety of unusual plants offered. Please explore his website, www.kartuz.com Visitors are welcome, and an appointment is recommended.

C34 GARDENING WITHIN YOUR WATERING MEANS

California has faced eight consecutive years of drought and this year may prove to be the ninth. That reality might send a shiver up your spine, but don't let it dampen (no pun intended) your gardening aspirations. There is an enormous palette of garden-worthy plants that thrive in our Mediterranean climate both in drought and in years of normal rainfall. These plants include both our own natives and those native to other regions of the world where summers are hot and dry, rain (and sometimes snow) arrives in winter. As an added bonus, most are low maintenance plants that require little pruning, and little fertilizer.

This talk will start with a description of the world's Mediterranean climates and best Mediterranean gardening practices, followed by a wide selection of Mediterranean climate plants including trees, bulbs, perennials, shrubs, herbs, and more, all one would need to create a beautiful and satisfying garden.

Live plant material will be included on display. A handout will be provided.

NAN STERMAN is an award winning garden communicator, gardening designer, horticulturist and garden coach who lives in Encinitas California. Ms Sterman writes about beautiful and unique gardens and gardeners. Her expertise includes plants for California's Mediterranean climate, sustainable gardening, landscape design, edible gardening, specialty nurseries, and gardening how-to. For several years, Nan was garden editor for San Diego Home Garden Lifestyles Magazine. Today she writes regularly for regional and national publications such as the San Diego Union Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Sunset, Organic Gardening, and Better Homes and Gardens. After contributing to a number of gardening books, including the most recent edition of Sunset Western Gardens, Nan's first solo venture is California Gardeners Guide vol II published by Cool Springs Press.

One of Nan's recent projects is A Growing Passion, an award-winning television program whose pilot episode airs on the San Diego PBS affiliate. On the show, Nan visits real gardens created by ordinary people who happen to be extra-ordinary gardeners. For the last several years, Nan has been a regular guest on These Days radio talk show on San Diego Public Radio. The Do-It-Yourself Network has featured her in several of its shows and she has been a guest on several network newscasts.

Nan Sterman's horticultural education includes a bachelor's degree in botany from Duke University and master's in biology from UC Santa Barbara. She was trained in organic gardening methods, sustainable gardening and raised-bed gardening at the Farallones Institute in Berkeley, California. Ms Sterman has served as a master composter and master gardener as well.

In her own home garden, Nan Sterman tests a wide range of plant materials. She also consults on garden design and plant selection. She is a board member of the Garden Writers' Association, chair of the Encinitas Garden Festival, active in the San Diego Horticultural Society and coordinates a 5,000 square foot school garden.

C35 HOW TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES AND KEEP THEM IN YOUR YARD

Butterflies are common visitors to gardens throughout the year in San Diego County. But what can you do to get them to stop? Better yet, what changes can be made in a yard to maintain various species throughout the year? The answers are to provide nectar sources for the adults and appropriate host plants for the larvae. This presentation will introduce you to both native and non-native species and what can be done to enhance the environment they require for survival.

DAVID K. FAULKNER, San Diego resident since 1955, graduated from UC Santa Barbara (BA) and CSU Long Beach (MS), while collecting and studying insects in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico. He was the entomologist for the San Diego Natural History Museum for 25 years and spent 3 years maintaining the live invertebrate collections at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Currently Faulkner is involved in Forensic Entomology while continuing work on the butterflies of San Diego County.

C36 THE REAL DIRT ABOUT GARDEN SOIL

Soil is the foundation of gardening, but what do I know about it? How can I improve poor soil for better growing? What is pH and why do I need to know about it? How do I evaluate my soil and do I need fertilizer? What kind of fertilizer works best and how much should I use? What are micro and macro nutrients and are they really necessary for my plants? What is in good soil? Why am I told to add organic matter to my soil? What is good tilth and why is it necessary? These and many other questions about soils will be covered in this class so that you can work with the soil you have and select the right plants to grow in it.

SHARON MCCRAY is an experienced UC Master Gardener since 1992. She established the Home Composting Education Program in Santa Clara County and maintains an active compost pile and worm bin in her garden, which she incorporates into her now very rich and fertile soil. Sharon is a native Californian and has taught adult gardening education for ten years.

C37 LOW VOLTAGE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING FOR BEAUTY, SAFETY AND SECURITY

In this class, Dan Bateman will discuss the concept plan, fixture and lamp selection. You will also learn about wire sizing, transformer selection, practical applications and tips, a well as the most common do's and don'ts in outdoor lighting.

DAN BATEMAN holds a degree from Washington State University in TV/theatre production. With his love of gardening and wanting to create outdoor rooms that can be utilized both day and night, low voltage lighting, design and installation has been his passion for many years.

C38 CREATING SMALL CONTAINER GARDENS WITH LONG LASTING PERENNIALS, UNUSUAL FOLIAGE AND COLORFUL FLOWERS

Flower Girls will cover "everything you want to know and more" about container gardening. The basics such as soil, water and fertilizer will be reviewed. Since Flower Girls is known for using unique and interesting containers, a variety of planted containers will be displayed and discussed. Attendees will then learn techniques on planting and using items other than the usual "plastic color bowls". Plants such as annuals, perennials, succulents, herbs and vegetables that are suitable for gardening in containers will be used.

BETTE CHILDS AND JOAN ESPY started Flower Girls about 6 years ago. They have learned "hands on" about plants and what kinds of things do well together in containers. They belong to several north county garden clubs and attend the San Diego Horticultural Society meetings each month, where they sell perennial plants. Flower Girls have had the opportunity to travel to several parts of the world observing native plants and how other cultures plant and use flowers esthetically in their lives. Both Flower Girls always end up at gardens, botanical parks, and sometimes nurseries getting new ideas to bring into their business. Their husbands are involved helping, encouraging and traveling with them. The San Diego Union and The North County Times have both featured their work with articles and pictures. They have also enjoyed sharing their expertise with several garden clubs in the San Diego area.