Plantings for Public and Special Places is a 2011-2013 President’s Project. Representing three areas of interest; Gardens with Edibles, Container Gardens, Trees and Shrubs, this project recognizes ALL garden club service to communities when members provide Plantings for Public and Special Places. These plantings can beautify, have environmental value or provide sustenance. Possibilities exist for every garden club, regardless of its size, resources, and energy levels. Clubs, districts and regions will be awarded Certificates of Appreciation and Participation by the NGC President. Details regarding categories and monetary awards will be printed on the NGC website.
Click here for the updated Wildflower Conference schedule. The CGCI Wildflower Conference will take place April 4-6, 2012, Palmdale, CA. To read more about the Wildflower Conference, click here.
John C. Peterson, Ph.D., head of Horticulture/Crop Science at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, will be accepting Landscape Design Commendation for the Leaning Pine Arboretum at the dinner on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the CGCI Board of Directors Meeting at The Cliff's Resort in Pismo Beach. To see more information about the arboretum, click here.
Click here for The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.
To see more photos from Shane Looper and Mary Crowell's design program, yesterday, at Descanso Gardens at the Judges Council of Southern California meeting, go to the CGCI Facebook page. Not a Facebook member, just go to the CGCI home page, lower left corner, and you should be able to view the photo album entitled "Judges Council of Southern California."
Photo to left was taken by Jane Johnson of Mary Crowell and one of Mary's designs with background.
GARDEN PATCH POINTERS
By Robert H. AND Hoberley Schuler
2012 FEBRUARY GARDEN ACTIVITIES
We hope that you enjoyed the recent rains and have prepared for a possible downpour.
Did you cover or bring in your most valuable plants during the cold weather? Except for deciduous bushes and trees, do not prune until after the 15th of March at the earliest. Do not prune tropical bushes or fuchsias as more damage could occur if we have more cold weather.
The CGCI Consultants (Environmental, Gardening & Landscape Design) eNewsletter was just sent to the 164 people who subscribe to receive it via formatted email. If you wish to subscribe to receive it, click here and check the box for the Consultants eNewsletter. To read it in Word format, click here.
GARDEN PATCH POINTERS
By Robert and Hoberley Schuler
Oregano and Parsley
Q: What is the best variety of Oregano? Also Curly Parsley and Flat leaf Parsley? Gerald, San Francisco A: OREGANO (Origanum vulgare), the packaged dried oregano usually comes from a mixture of dried herbs (oregano, thyme and salvia) blended for their flavor. Select a plant by tasting or rubbing the leaf or get a cutting from a friend who thinks their plant is the “taste tested best”. We have four favorites in my garden.
To see more photos from Shane Looper and Mary Crowell's design program, yesterday, at Descanso Gardens at the Judges Council of Southern California meeting, go to the CGCI Facebook page. Not a Facebook member, just go to the CGCI home page, lower left corner, and you should be able to view the photo album entitled "Judges Council of Southern California."
The CGCI Consultants (Environmental, Gardening & Landscape Design) eNewsletter was just sent to the 164 people who subscribe to receive it via formatted email. If you wish to subscribe to receive it, 
