Page 2 - 2019 Sonoma County Gardeners Resource Guide

Glorious Spring with Water for our Gardens
This has been a wonderful winter for gardeners! But- just because we have water, does NOT mean we need lawns. Please remember that lawns do NOTHING for habitat and tend to be hard to maintain by organic means. Instead, find a ground cover that flowers so you can support pollinators!
Dear Readers,
One of my favorites is chamomile - it thrives in gravel driveways! Clover is a wonderful ground cover and comes in MANY colors! I bet your local nursery would love to inspire you with natives that bloom and support habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, etc.
Low water needs will continue to remain important. Year by year we never know what the next winter will bring. Gardens are not annual events. They are perennial, which means they should thrive over time, grow and prosper as they mature. Kind of like us!
There is a very thorough list of Plant Sales for Good Causes on page 30 if you like to purchase plants that do some good in your community. The enthusiasm and knowledge of these Garden Clubs is amazing. We have organized plant sales by date so start early with the ones that offer veggie starts if you like to grow your own food.
Most of the plant sales benefit scholarship programs, there’s one that keeps young students nurturing plants and teaches them about running a small business. Another that teach jail inmates skills they can use when they re- enter life on the outside of prison walls.
Skills are what gives people a sense of accomplishment. That supports self- esteem and that encourages positive action. So you can see that these plant sales are more than just ways to get plants!
And of course - what this guide is all about is supporting locally-owned garden businesses. So from nurseries that propagate plants to ones that purchase their plants from local plant growers, you have plenty of choices to find quality plant material at lovely nurseries owned by people who love what they do for a living.
Landscapers and gardeners? We have them listed, too. I’m sure we have missed plenty. It’s hard to gather a COMPLETE list, but we do the best we can. If we missed anyone, please let us know and we’ll update our two websites where this guide is available as a resource all year long.
Articles are written by people passionate about building habitat gardens, and beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. It’s a delight to learn from these people who know their trade so well.
Please use this year’s guide to build your gardens, to expand the pleasure you experience in being outdoors with your hands in warm soil. To welcome birds, bees, butterflies and more into your yard so you provide habitat for critters that share our home.
Support these locally-owned businesses and please thank our advertisers by purchasing goods and services from them. They make this guide possible, so refer to the MAP in the center and listings highlighted in green bold type.
Every issue of the Gazette has a gardening section with articles, and a gardeners calendar. Roger Raiche and David McCrory of Planet Horticulture write our monthly garden column and guest authors add information throughout the year. We focus our editorial on organic, planet-supporting gardens since we LOVE where we LIVE and want ALL life forms to thrive in harmony.
Happy Gardening!
and THANK YOU for reading!
COVER ARTIST: Rebecca Lichau
Rebecca is an amazing stained glass artist who
, so she took up botanical illustration for fun.
o
d de e c c i id de e d d s s h h e e n n e e e e d d s s e e d d t t o o d do o s s o o e e m m e e t t h h i i n n g g d d i i f f f f e e r r e e n nt t ,
She meets with a group who has inspired her
to keep refining her skills and now has a full
collection of beautiful color pencil illustrations
of plants that hang on the walls of her gallery
on Main Street in Guerneville. You can purchase
e greeting cards, framed prints, or originals.
Russian River Glass Images. 16369 Main St, Guerneville (707) 869-4105 • russianriverglassimages.com
2 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 3/19