Composting with Jessica Craven
Learn how to make compost like a pro and turn your kitchen and yard waste into a valuable soil amendment that your plants will love, at this free, hands-on workshop with Master Gardener Jessica Craven. You'll save water by adding moisture-retaining compost to your soil, too! 
If you would like to help us make compost, please bring along a bag of fruit and vegetable peelings. The workshop will take place rain or shine on June 5, from 10:00 to 11:30 am, in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden, 401 South Ventura St.
Local herbalist and nutritional counselor Carol Wade discussed several common herbs that many of us have at home, in our gardens or spice racks. Many of the herbs that Carol spoke about can be used to help ease tummy aches, such as cinnamon, fennel, sage, thyme, peppermint, basil, and catnip. These herbs have many other healthy benefits as well. 
To illustrate her presentation, Carol brought along examples of several of the plants she discussed. 
Everyone had a chance to see, touch, and appreciate the fragrance of the fresh herbs, as well as some dried herbs that Carol brought. 
Carol also made a delicious herbal iced tea from lemon balm, licorice and lavender for the group to enjoy. 
After the talk, participants had a chance to talk with Carol and leaf through the many excellent books about herbs that she brought to share. 
Guests had time to enjoy a stroll through the garden before departing. 
Photos by Les Dublin.
The garden coordinator was on hand to greet guests and provide information about the garden, while volunteers were out and about, working in the garden and chatting with the visitors.
The garden rewarded visitors with masses of colorful, fragrant blooms.
A highlight of the garden in April and May are the many varieties of drought-tolerant rock roses (cistus) that are in bloom. Rock roses are native to the Mediterranean regions of the world, and are a natural for our Mediterranean climate.
A representative from the the Ojai Valley Sanitary District provided information about their free compost made from biosolids, and offered visitors a free plant. Photos by Les Dublin.