SESSION A – 8:30 – 10:30 A.M.

A1 BYE-BYE GRASS ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

Nan Sterman (www.PlantSoup.com) is an award winning garden communicator, gardening expert, designer, and author of California Gardener's Guide Volume II (Cool Springs Press, 2007), which is all about gardening in California's dry Mediterranean Climate. Nan contributes to the San Diego Union Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Sunset, Organic Gardening Magazine, etc. She is a regular guest on television and radio including These Days on KPBS, FM 89.5. Nan was trained in organic and raised bed gardening at the Farallones Institute in Berkeley, California. She also served as a Master Gardener and Master Composter. She holds degrees in both botany and biology, is a board member of the Garden Writer's Association and coordinates a 5,000 square foot school garden in Carmel Valley.

Grass is the least green plant in our gardens. It takes more water, more fertilizer and more upkeep, is responsible for more green waste (and therefore more greenhouse gases) than almost any other garden plant. And the truth is, very few of us actually use the grass we have. In this session, we will discuss several methods for getting rid of grass (or at least most of it), deciding what to do with the space once the grass is gone, and plants to use in place of lawn.

A2 FENG SHUI FOR THE GARDEN: Creating spaces that feel as good as they look

Cathleen McCandless M.S. (www.SanDiegoFengShui.com) was named The Best Feng Shui Expert in San Diego by San Diego Magazine. She is a highly respected Feng Shui consultant with over 17 years experience. Cathleen currently stars in the nationwide TV series Feng Shui Living and her practical, common-sense approach to Feng Shui design has been featured on the CBS & NBC Evening News, in Vogue magazine, the New York Times, S.D. Home & Garden, and many others.

Cathleen will be presenting a fascinating program on how the timeless principles of Feng Shui (pronounced "Fung Shway") and Environmental Psychology can help you create an outdoor environment of beauty, comfort, and serenity. You won't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn how you can enrich your surroundings while enhancing your life.

SESSION B – 10:50 – 12:50 P.M.

B1 POOR PITIFUL SOIL ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

Pat Welsh (www.PatWelsh.com) is author of Southern California Gardening: A Month-By-Month Guide, a garden communicator, a columnist, TV host and winner of many awards including San Diego Emmy, Quail Gardens Lifetime Achievement Award and SD Horticultural Society's Horticulturalist of the Year.

Good gardening begins from the soil up, but unfortunately most San Diego gardeners begin with something akin to concrete or pure sand. Learn how to recognize the various types of soil we have here in San Diego County, and the organic way to fix the kind you have. Learn about soil amendments and fertilizers, the differences between them, how to use them in an environmentally responsible manner, and how to find free soil amendments and fertilizers, plus how many new, little-known, commercial products, including kelp, rhyzobia, Yucca schidigera, Leonardite, and humic acid, can produce wonders in your garden. This class will show you how to grow all landscape plants, flowers, and, vegetables using far less water than you ever imagine while using many unusual commercial products as well as things you can get for free. You will receive many tips and hints for saving money and water.

B2 GO NATIVE: It's easy, good for your yard and the environment. ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

Gene E. Ratcliffe received her M.S. in Plant Science from Cornell University and works in San Juan Capistrano for Tree of Life Nursery (www.CaliforniaNativePlants.com). She is the contract specialist for restoration and landscape projects using California native plants. Gene has done landscape consultation and design and is eager to share the beauty and practicality of using natives in our soon to be water-starved landscapes. She is a member of the California Native Plant Society, the Society for Ecological Restoration, the Sierra Club among others.

Gene Ratcliffe will focus on renovating gardens/reducing turf areas to save water by using native plants. You will receive a top 30 list of easy to grow native species and cultivars for the home landscape. Most gardeners seem excited about wildlife gardening (butterflies, birds) and native plants are the best for this use, and these will be highlighted. Gene will address the basics of planting and maintenance (irrigation, fertilization) as well as the misconception that natives are difficult and short-lived in landscapes.

SESSION C – 1:50 – 3:50 P.M.

C1 RENEE'S FALL GARDEN: ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL ** ** THIS CLASS IS FULL **

Renee Shepherd (www.ReneesGarden.com) is widely regarded as a pioneering innovator in introducing international specialty vegetables, herbs and flowers to home gardeners. In the late 80's, she founded Shepherd's Garden Seeds, a premier mail order source for seeds after receiving her Ph.D at U.C. Santa Cruz and teaching in the Environmental Studies department there. Her current seed company, Renee's Garden, offers 290 varieties of specialty garden seeds through high-end independent nurseries or directly online at (www.ReneesGarden.com). Renee writes all the variety and cultural information for her seed packets, directs new introductions and manages several large trial gardens where every cultivar is grown and evaluated. She writes regularly for the major gardening media and lectures widely on cooking and gardening topics. She has written two kitchen garden cookbooks and is finishing her third book that will be out this fall.

In this class you will learn how to plan, plant and maintain a bountiful, colorful and delicious kitchen garden from early fall through spring with lots of ideas on how to enjoy the harvests. You will be introduced to the most beautiful and fragrant sweet peas available along with full sweet pea growing information.

C2 SELECTION, PLANTING, AND CARE OF LANDSCAPE PALMS

Donald R. Hodel (http://ceLosAngeles.UCDavis.edu/Environmental_Horticulture/Donald_R_Hodel.htm) is a University of California Cooperative Extension landscape horticulturist in Los Angeles, Co, a position he has held for over 25 years. Don conducts applied research and develops educational programs to extend research-based information in the selection and management of palms and other woody plants to the landscape industries in California. He received his BS from Cal Poly Pomona and MS from the University of Hawaii. Prior to working for the University, he was employed for eight years in the landscape industry in Hawaii and California.

Don will cover the most suitable palm species for the San Diego area and present the most recent and up-to-date research-based information on planting and transplanting, nutrition and fertilization, pruning, and pest and disease control of palms.