- Author: Betty Victor
The wreath workshop is just days away. Master Gardeners have been busy gathering redwood, rosemary, lavender, Nadine and so much more greenery for people that attend to make a wreath of their own design.
Starting in late October-early November the Master Gardeners have been busy cutting drying, and spraying decorations for you to choose from to add to your wreath. We have agapanthus heads, hydrangea flowers, statice, lavender, pine cones, and so much more (feathers, grass flowers). In addition, participants are welcome to bring any items they have from home that they would like to add to their wreath. There are assorted colors of ribbon that can be made into bows to complement your wreath .
Food did I mention food? Yes there will be food and drinks for you to snack on, as you make your wreath. Complements of the Master Gardeners.
This event is held on the first Saturday of December at the Buck Mansion in Vacaville. Seating is limited to 40. If you have not registered on line this year to attend, it could be to late. Here is the link http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=9007 Make sure you mark your 2013 calendar in late October or early November to watch for the announcement for 2013 so you don’t miss this fun event next year.
- Author: Jennifer Baumbach
My birthday was at the beginning of January, but it seems I have been celebrating it all month. Just last week, several friends (who happen to be master gardeners) got together and surprised me for a lunch. At the lunch, I received wonderful gifts-two of which really stood out. I had been thinking about creating a terrarium for some time, but when I actually received 2 in one day, I knew it was kismet. One is in a large decorative jar and the other is this unique vessel. It’s in an ornament, yes, like a Christmas tree ornament.
I know terrariums aren’t something new; they have been around for hundreds of years. I won’t go in to that; you can do a Google search and find that information.
It is surprising how much information is out there about terrariums. I had a look at YouTube and found a bunch of great how-to type videos on creating terrariums. They also help explain the different plants you are able to use. I especially like the Fittonia spp. (Nerve Plant) and the Pilea spp. (Friendship plant). I have a container at home I’d like to try to use Adiantum spp. (Maidenhair fern) or Davallia spp. (Rabbit’s foot fern) in. For me, ferns are always a difficult plant to grow, but in a terrarium, they might work. The humidity of a closed or open top terrarium suits their needs well.
You can also find on the Internet; little, fun decorations you can add to your terrarium. On one site, I found had miniature metal garden furniture, watering cans, and bird baths! In my large terrarium stands a figurine from England. My friend,Karen, placed it in there with care. You can see in the picture below how sweet that little addition is to the terrarium. Rocks, driftwood, colored glass are just a few suggestions of what you might add to the container to give it extra interest.
I am going to try and put together a terrarium on my own and I’ll have to update you all on how that went. For now, enjoy these few pictures I have of the gifts I received from my friends.