The Ventura County Master Gardeners have scheduled University of California Farm Advisors and other experts in agriculture and horticulture to lead a series of four seasonal workshops designed to educate the home gardener. These Saturday events will be held at the Hansen Agricultural Center (aka: The Faulkner Farm) in Santa Paula.

“This is an exciting learning opportunity open to the public,” said Tina Van Coops, Ventura County Master Gardener and workshop coordinator. “It is not often that home gardeners have the chance to take informal Saturday classes from such experienced and trained instructors.”

The first in the series of seasonal workshops, called "Summer in the Garden," will take place on May 17, 2008. Larry Yee, Director of the Ventura County Cooperative Extension, will present "Where Your Food Comes From": a fascinating review of the growing local food movement. Dr. Ben Faber, UCCE Advisor, will teach a session on "Avocados and Citrus.'

Other topics for that day include "Rose Care," ''Tomato and Vegetable Gardening," and a timely presentation on 'Summer Tasks for the Garden."

All future workshop topics have been selected for seasonal relevance.

Autumn in the Garden (August 23, 2008) will introduce Sustainable Landscapes, Fire-safe Landscaping, Insects of Ventura County, and Composting.
Highlights of Winter in the Garden (November 1, 2008) will be the Geology of Ventura County, the Beauty of Bulbs, Soil Preparation, and a hands-on holiday workshop called Gifts from the Garden.

Spring in the Garden (February 7, 2009) will return to basics with Understanding Gardening Literature, Pruning 101, Integrated Pest Management, and Plant Propagation.

Each all-day workshop event will feature a presentation devoted to important seasonal tasks for the home gardener. The all-inclusive registration fee is $50.00 per person, per day. This covers three morning and two afternoon presentations, continental breakfast, snacks and lunch. Also included is a docent-guided tour of the historic Faulkner Farm House and access to the exclusive Master Gardener Plant Sale. The public can save $25 by registering for all four seasonal workshops at one time. The total discounted price is $175. Register early -- space is limited to the first 80 people who respond.

Visit www.vcmastergardeners.org to print out registration form, or call Chris Webb at 805-645-1434 for further information.