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SJ Master Gardeners offer free workshops
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The free monthly workshop program offered by the San Joaquin Master Gardeners at the Manteca Public Library is making a comeback following its initial successful run last year.

Topics range from starting your own back-yard orchard and growing a vegetable garden to fill your dining table with fresh produce all summer long, to fertilizing your garden using food scraps from your kitchen or yard wastes and how to create a stunning garden using native California plants.

Attendance is not the only thing that is free at these workshops. Even the materials related to the day’s topic which are made available to participants at each class are free for the taking. However, a staff at the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener said that participants are asked to register for the class that they intend to attend “so we know what the headcount is going to be to tell us how many (materials) we are going to print.”

Those who want to attend the workshops are not required to bring anything either, with the exception of the rose-pruning clinic that is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18, which will be a discussion and demonstration on the care and pruning of roses. This is also the only class during the year that will not be held at the library. It will take place at the Manteca Senior Center Memorial Rose Garden at 295 Cherry Lane. The rose garden is a project of the Manteca Garden Club with members taking on the responsibility of maintaining it, including pruning.

The rest of the classes, which will be conducted by area Master Gardeners, will be held in the John McFall Room of the Manteca Library from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. The library is located at 320 W. Center Street (tel. 209-937-8221).

All participants need to register a week prior to the class by calling the Master Gardener program at (209) 953-6100. In charge of the San Joaquin Master Gardeners is Marcy Sousa.

Below is the complete schedule of this year’s Master Gardeners workshops:

• Jan. 21:  Fill your own fruit bowl – Learn how to have your own back-yard orchard.

• Feb. 1: Roses, pruning and care – A glorious flush of spring bloom and healthy growth all begin months beforehand with winter care. Learn how to prune, fertilize, mulch, and reduce disease for a beautiful garden display. (This is a hands-on class so come dressed to be outside. Please bring with you a pair of bypass hand pruners and gloves if you like. This class will be held at the Manteca Senior Center Memorial Rose Garden, 295 Cherry Lane.)

• March 17: From the garden to the table – Learn how to grow vegetables your family will enjoy all summer long.

• April 21:  What’s bugging you? – Common garden pests and how to deal with them in an environmentally friendly way.

• May 19: Calling all garden helpers – Gardening for the birds, bees, butterflies and beneficals.

• June 16:  Simply composting: Turning yard debris into garden gold. Learn how to improve your soil and the health of your plants by simply using your own kitchen and yard wastes.

• July 21: The grass could be greener on your side: How to have a healthy yet sustainable lawn.

• Aug. 18: Bulbs to bloom-seasonal beauty: Learn how to plant and care for bulbs.

• Sept. 15: Designing with California-friendly plants: Natural setting, less water, beautiful yard – a great combination for a stunning landscape.

• Oct. 20:    Let’s plant a tree: Fall is a great time to add a tree to your landscape. Learn how to select, plant, stake and have a healthy tree in your yard for many years to come.

• Nov. 17: Refuse into resources: Learn creative ways to recycle and repurpose in your garden and landscape.