Why you may ask would several Master Gardeners be spray painting dried agapanthus, hydrangeas, sedum, and so much more in the rain and wind?

Well there is a simple answer; the Master Gardener’s 19^th annual Wreath Workshop is just around the corner. We are getting things ready so that you can participate in making a beautiful wreath for your home, what better way to start the holiday season?

To do this, we start by drying some plants we have grown in our gardens. The dried foliage and flowers that look good get to stay their natural color when dried. The not-so-good looking dried materials get spray painted different colors. In addition to the materials mentioned, we also have magnolia leaves, Deodora cones, statice, as well as other plants. The pine cones are of various sizes and we have been painting them to look like they have been dusted by snow. There will be ribbon in a multitude of colors for bows.

Prior to the actual date of the Wreath Workshop, which is December 7, 2013; Master Gardeners will spend 3 days gathering greens. They will then cut materials to a size that is manageable for wreath making, and finally, boxing them. In this box of foliage you might also find in addition to the redwood, some lavender or rosemary.

If you have never attending this Wreath Workshop, this is what you can expect to get for the fee that you will pay: a banana box filled with greenery, a wire wreath frame, paddle wire and all sorts of natural decorations and a bow. Refreshments will be served throughout the event. There will be Master Gardeners to help if you need a refresher on how to make a wreath.

The event is being held at the Buck Mansion Carriage House in Vacaville, December 7, 2013 from 1-4 pm. Space is limited to sign up now! Here is link to the website to sign up for this fun event. Http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber-11507

You can also call Jennifer Baumbach at 707-784-1321 for addition information.

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.

The Wreath Workshop is a month away and Solano County Master Gardeners have been gearing up for this event since September. Ribbon has been purchased in assorted colors and spray paint that will blend and match has been chosen. Wreath forms and paddle wire have been ordered. The date is December 1^st from 1PM to 4PM at the Carriage House on the Buck Mansion Estate in Vacaville, (225 Buck Avenue). Sign-ups are happening now.

A spray day was held to color dried items such as agapanthus, hydrangeas, seeds, pods and pine cones. These items will be available at the workshop to place in wreaths as decorations. Fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, and quince will be dried to use as unique additions. Those making wreaths can bring their own decorations from home to personalize their wreath. There will be a table set-up and supported by Master Gardeners, who will be creating bows in assorted sizes and colors. If any participant needs assistance with their wreath, a Master Gardener will be available to help or give suggestions.

By the time the workshop arrives, the Master Gardeners have spent several days cutting and collecting greenery so the public will be able to create their own wreath. The greens will be packed into “banana boxes” and each participant will have a full box, a wreath frame and paddle wire. The decoration table will hold an assortment of dried flowers, fruits, and pods ready for embellishing. The “bow table” will have ready-made bows and custom-made bows will be available.

The kitchen will be filled with holiday goodies and drinks, providing lunch for all. Master Gardeners are known for their delicious appetizers and Christmas treats.

Master Gardeners will be showing up at the Carriage House at 10AM to set up and prepare for this yearly event. The wreath workshop of 2012 promises to be a fun-filled, fantastic event for all as it kicks off the 2012 holiday season.

Well, on December 3, the Master Gardeners celebrated their 21st Wreath Workshop. There were 40 wreath makers in attendance and they created some of the most fabulous wreaths!  Each were given a box of redwood, a wire wreath frame and paddle wire.  They could also choose from 'extra' greens, which were: heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica), Breath of Heaven (Coleonema spp.), Sweet bay (Laurus nobilis), Eucalyptus, Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Lavender (Lavandula spp.), and Yew (Podocarpus gracilior)-to name a few. Each person had access to the same materials, along with natural decorations, but each wreath came out very unique-especially to that persons' creativity.  Below is a sampling of the wreaths made at the event this year.

Purple, gold and green wreath. (photos by Sharon Leos)

Happy wreath maker with her pink and green wreath.

This sparkly red and green wreath was a stunner.

Agriculturally themed wreath with artichoke flower, oranges, and grasses.