Take 8: The Sunset Western Garden Book
I also wish the editors would come up with some other way to organize the “Practical Guide to Gardening” in the back of the book. I’m glad it’s there - by including some basic gardening information, this book really can be the only book a beginning gardener would need - but organizing the topics alphabetically means that, for instance, Composting is found between Bulbs and Container Gardening, not near Mulch or Soil where it should be. It would not be difficult to come up with a better arrangement and include a short table of contents at the beginning of the section.
But that’s a minor complaint. It’s great fun to have a new “Green Book” and in fact, I’ve already taken it out into the garden and smudged some dirt on a couple of pages. If you have a seventh edition that’s in pretty good shape, you wouldn’t be missing out on too much if you just decided to stick with what you have. But if you’re a couple editions behind, or if your book is a little too well-loved, it’s time to upgrade.
You bought the book — now go buy some plants. Humboldt Botanical Garden Foundation is holding its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 5, at the garden’s northgate entrance on the College of the Redwoods campus. If you’re a member, you can show up at 8 a.m. and grab the good stuff. Otherwise, you’ve got to wait until 9. The sale runs until 2 p.m., and I’ve always found great plants there.
Also, don’t miss the North Coast Chapter of the California Native Plant Society’s Spring Wildflower Show at the Manila Community Center on May 4-6. This free event runs Friday from 1-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. On Friday, Rick Tolley will host a free drawing workshop, and on Saturday there will be workshops on identifying wildflowers and local shrubs, and a dune walk. On Sunday, you can learn about medicinal uses of native plants and about wild edible plants on the north coast. And of course, there’s a plant sale all weekend. Call 822-2015 for details.
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Today
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Open Gardens
outdoors / 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Humboldt Botanical Gardens, College of the Redwoods, Eureka. Roam the 44-acre fully fenced property. $5. www.hbgf.org. 442-5139.
Organic Gardening Seminar
garden / 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Shafer's Ace Hardware and Garden Center, 2760 E St., Eureka. Free lecture by Duncan McNeill on how to create a healthy environment and healthy soils for your plant’s roots. E-mail shafers@sbcglobal.net. 442-5734.
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