The Ojai Garden

Soil Building with Michael Inaba

2013-04-05T23:31:47Z

We had a wonderful Soil Building workshop in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden last weekend.Mike Inaba started out by giving us a little geology lesson, using Les Dublin's workshop publicity photo to illustrate how soil is made.Then he demonstrated a simple method to determine the kind of soil one has, with a little help from some volunteers.Here's the recipe—just add water to soil in a jar, shake for a minute, let it settle for a few hours and observe the layers of sand, silt and clay. As usual, Mike kept the audience entertained with amusing anecdotes sprinkled throughout his informative talk. Participants learned all about soil structure, texture, and organisms.Mike used some nearby garden soil to help illustrate soil texture. Finally, Mike showed us some soil amendments that can be useful for local gardens, such as organic cottonseed meal and gypsum.Everyone came away with a better understanding of the soil building cycle and why we need to protect our soil. Photos by Les Dublin.

Soil Building Workshop

2013-03-24T23:24:30Z

Got loam? Come find out at a free workshop in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden with local horticulturist Michael Inaba. Learn all about soil texture, structure, and how to identify what kind of soil you have, then use that information to build richer soil in your garden. This workshop will take place rain or shine on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 10:00 AM. Seating on the benches is limited so feel free to bring a chair for a comfortable seat.

Pictures from February Pruning Workshop

2013-03-24T06:09:19Z

We had a fun and productive pruning workshop in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden with Master Gardener Charles Duncan in late February. Charles showed us the tools of the trade and even demonstrated how to sharpen shears. Charles demonstrated pruning out in the garden and gave some guidance to participants who wanted to try their hand at pruning. Workshop participants set to work pruning a variety of plants in the hummingbird and sage gardens. Everyone went home ready to tackle their own pruning projects and the garden got some much needed TLC. Thanks Charles! Photos by Les Dubin.

Pruning Essentials

2013-01-25T18:16:09Z

Learn the ABC's of pruning at this free, hands-on workshop with Master Gardener Charles Duncan. This workshop will focus on the essentials of pruning, and is for everyone who wants to know what to do, and when to do it. We'll begin with an introduction to essential pruning tools, and essential cuts. After a pruning demonstration in the garden, participants will get a chance to try out their new skills under expert supervision. The workshop will take place rain or shine on February 23 at 10:00 AM in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden, 401 South Ventura St., behind City Hall.

Herbs for Summer

2012-07-25T03:03:57Z

Summertime is herb time in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden. At this free workshop, herbal and nutritional counselor Carol Wade of Sea of Grace will share tips that will help you stay cool and healthy this summer. Learn about cooling ice and sun teas, herbal first aid for cuts, scrapes, and sunburn, herbs for insect repellents, upset stomachs and motion sickness that you can use this summer, whether you are at home or on the road. Carol will also discuss the cultivation and best times to harvest these helpful herbs. The workshop will take place in the CIty of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden, 401 South Ventura Street, behind City Hall. Seating on the benches is limited, so feel free to bring a chair for a comfortable seat.

June Compost Workshop

2012-07-25T02:29:34Z

More Ojai residents will be composting thanks to Jessica Craven's June compost workshop in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden. Jessica taught the basics of composting shared tips, and answered everyone's questions. Workshop participants got some hands-on practice sifting finished compost that was made during our winter workshop and then set to work building a new compost pile. Adding water is the finishing touch! Photos by Les Dublin.

Composting with Jessica Craven

2012-06-13T17:26:13Z

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! The workshop will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 16 at 10:00 AM in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden. Seating on the benches is limited, so feel free to bring a chair for a comfortable seat. If you would like to help us make compost, please bring along a bag of fruit and vegetable peelings. The garden is located behind City Hall at 401 South Ventura St. in Ojai.

Garden Tour 2012

2012-05-19T23:25:40Z

The City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden was buzzing with more than just bees on Saturday, May 12. Once again, the garden was a stop on the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce Garden Tour. Visitors enjoyed the many plants that are in full bloom at this time of year in the garden. Volunteers and the garden coordinator were on hand to greet guests, show off their hard work
and provide information to visitors. Everyone enjoyed a beautiful day in the garden. Photos by Les Dublin.

April Garden Workshop

2012-05-13T23:28:44Z

Over 30 people came to the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden on April 28 to learn how to grow vegetables.
Steve Sprinkel, of the Farmer and the Cook, spoke about his experiences growing vegetables in the Ojai Valley.
Steve discussed the importance of diversity, and recommended planting a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to attract beneficial insects to the garden. He also shared many tips about when to plant certain vegetables, and different methods of organic pest control. Steve demonstrated how to plant a tomato and then participants got to work, digging holes, lining them with wire, and planting. Photos by Les Dublin.

Planting What you Cook Workshop

2012-04-21T03:50:10Z

Learn how to grow your own delicious and nutritious organic vegetables, at this free, hands-on workshop with Steve Sprinkel of The Farmer and the Cook. Steve will cover everything from site planning, soil preparation and fertilizer to organizing crop successions, rotations, and pest control. There will be tips on how to increase your yield, what to plant in Ojai and when to plant it. Steve will demonstrate techniques for digging beds and planting seeds and seedlings. Bring gloves if you want to dig in! The workshop will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM, in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden (401 South Ventura St., behind City Hall). Seating on the benches is limited, so feel free to bring a chair for a comfortable seat.

Guided Pruning with Charles Duncan

2012-02-01T03:56:52Z

Calling all gardeners! Come practice pruning and support your community by volunteering in the Ojai Community Demonstration Garden. Expert Horticulturist and Master Gardener Charles Duncan will give a crash course on pruning basics, and then set you to work in the garden practicing what you have learned. Charles will demonstrate pruning a variety of specimens in the Demonstration Garden and offer guidance to all. Bring gloves and sharp sterile shears if you have them. This special event will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The Ojai Community Demonstration Garden is located at 401 South Ventura St., behind Ojai City Hall.

Compost Workshop

2012-01-01T03:02:07Z

Jessica Craven gave another inspiring and informative compost workshop on December 10th in the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden.
The workshop covered all the basics of composting. Jessica shared many tips to make composting easy, and answered everyone's questions. Participants pitched in and built a compost pile out of dry leaves, fresh grass clippings, manure and fruit and vegetable peelings. The compost will be all ready to use by the next compost workshop! Photos by Les Dublin.

Upcoming Compost Workshop

2011-12-04T23:24:33Z

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 make compost, please bring along a bag of fruit and vegetable peelings. The workshop will take place rain or shine on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:00am. Seating on the benches is limited, so feel free to bring a chair for a comfortable seat. The City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden is located at 401 South Ventura Street, behind City Hall.

Fall Color

2011-11-26T00:48:46Z

The City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden is alive with color at this time of year.
This native California grape (Vitis californica) shows off colorful foliage.
California grapes are drought tolerant and provide food for wildlife.
They can sprawl along the ground or climb a trellis or arbor. Deciduous native grapes are a great way to bring the beauty of red foliage to a California garden.

Photos by Les Dublin.

October's Oaks and Gardens Workshop

2011-11-13T02:51:36Z

Thirty people came to the City of Ojai Community Demonstration Garden on October 22nd to learn how to care for the oaks on their property. Arborist and horticulturist Michael Inaba, who spoke for almost three hours, provided an in depth look at oaks, and explained when and where to plant near them.
Mike gave a detailed explanation of various factors that affect oaks, such as soil, light and seasons.
Participants learned about soil structure, texture, and more. Mike explained how fungi in the soil help oak trees, and showed the group beneficial fungi that he found in the soil just a few feet from where we were sitting. Mike also demonstrated how to determine what kind of soil texture you have by simply using a jar and water and passed around branches so everyone could learn how to observe a tree's rate of growth. He covered pruning requirements as well. Finally, Mike discussed appropriate plants that are suitable for planting at the edge of the oak canopy, such as California native plants that grow in dry shade, irises and succulents. Photos by Les Dublin.