Page 59 - Sonoma County Gazette October 2018

Fall Is For Planting!
By Cambyse Teter
For me, few things are more satisfying than planting trees and seeing them
grow. I’m always amazed to see how they’ve matured. I feel a sense of pride when seeing a tree that is 10, 20 or even 40 years old and being able to say, “Hey! I planted that tree.”
Besides all the practical reasons to plant trees, for me it’s more about the simple yet elegant beauty and endless variety of trees. I’m particularly fond of large, long-lived trees whose true character is only revealed with the passage of time.
This is especially true of deciduous trees as they constantly change with
the seasons; the swelling buds, flowers and bright, tender green of Spring; the lush deep, green and cool shade of Summer; the fiery colors of Fall; and finally, the dark wondrous bark and stately branches of Winter....then Spring again... hurray!
The first time I planted a tree was with my grandmother at about the age of five. One of my favorite grandma quotes was when she was asked, “What’s
the best time to plant a tree?” She would always answer, “Yesterday!” It was a mocking reply but the sentiment was sound: it is never too soon to plant a tree.
As Summer draws to a close, the days get short, the nights are cooler
and rain is hopefully on its way. Combined with reduced plant growth or dormancy these make ideal conditions for installing new landscape trees and shrubs. There is less transplant shock and less water is needed to establish root systems. This is especially true for large deciduous plants or nursery plants that have rooted through containers into surrounding soil. Here at Greenman Nursery, we have many such items, including specimen sized roses, shade and flowering trees.
Select your specimens while they’re in full splendor then hold them until it’s time to dig – usually, late November/early December after several hard frosts.
Plant Sales for Good Causes
Every Wed ~ Luther Burbank Experimental Farm - 9-12p, 7781 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol, 707-481-3488,
Oct 6 ~ Sonoma County Jail Plant Sale - 9-12p, FREE, Bring a cart to carry plants. 2254 Ordinance Rd., Santa Rosa, 707-525-8310, jailind@mcn.org
Oct 12,13 ~ Graton Community Club Fall Flower Show and Plant Sale - Artistic flower arrangements, plants, handmade treasures for sale. FREE, 9a-4p lunch at 11, Graton Community Club, 8996 Graton Rd, Graton, 707-829-5314, Nancy Kesselring, gratoncommunityclub.org/, kessel@sonic.net
Oct 13 ~ Milo Baker Chapter - California Native Plant Society - California Native Shrubs, Perennials, Bulbs and Seeds. Sale funds scholarships at the SRJC and SSU, public education about CA native plants. 9-1p, milobaker.cnps.org
Thru Oct 27 ~ Spring Harvest Basket at Sonoma Garden Park - Heirloom and Organic Starts for Sale. Sat, 9-1p, Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 7th St. E, Straw Bale Barn, Sonoma, sonomagardenpark.org
Oct 28 ~ Windsor Garden Club’s Succulent Topped Pumpkin Sale - Offering Living and Longlasting Succulent-Topped Pumpkin Centerpieces for your Fall holiday table. Design Demonstration ongoing through the day, Bargain Bulbs and Succulent Bits and Pieces by the Bag, too! windsorgardenclub.org
Thru Oct 28 ~ Occidental Arts & Ecology Plant Sale - Our hand-tended plants are selected to thrive regionally here in the Bay Area, and all have been trialed and savored for years in OAEC’s gardens and kitchen. Fri-Sun 10-5p, 2p, 15290 Coleman Valley Rd, Occidental, 707-874-1557, oaec.org
Ongoing ~ Vallejo Home Plant Sale - Grow plants propagated from the Vallejo Home property. Some plants are direct-descendants of the Vallejo era. Mon-Sun, 10-5p, Vallejo Home, 363 3rd St. W., Sonoma, 707-938-9558, Lynn Luzzi
POST your EVENTS online all month @
SonomaCountyGazette.com
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