MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS ÎAugust-September 2006 1

GARDENING ON THE EDGE

newsletter of the monterey bay master gardeners
Number 119 August-September 2006

First Annual Smart Gardening Faire!

photos by Tom Karwin MG, ’99 and Leora Worthington, MG ‘03

MG Candace McLaren shared MGs Simon Stapleton (r) and Debra Van Karen Moran “The Bat Lady” goes to
products of the Youth Garden. Bruggen, assisted by Nick van Bruggen and son, bat for her furry friends.

Special Issue
Annual Master
Gardeners Tour

Monterey and Carmel

Saturday, September 9th

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ticket Information:
$15 advance - $20 day of tour
For details see page 7

The Gardens:
Robin Hazard, Monterey, page 2
Phyllis Hilton, Monterey, page 4
Maryanne McCormick,
Pacific Grove, page 5
Betsy Shea, Carmel Valley, page 8
Stuart Waltzer, Carmel, page 10

Garden Tour Food Stops, page 6

The Life Lab Science Program MG Peter Quintanilla answered Purchase Tickets, pages 6 and 7
got the kids growing. tree-trimming questions. Map, Locations Info, page 7
2 August-September 2006 ÎMONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS

Robin Hazard's Windows on the Bay Claudia Sammis, MG ‘99

Curious minds want to know what’s

Robin’s current favorite floral combination
for large arrangements? "Wonderful
textures in bright greens and whites are my
current favorite," she claims. "I have no
one favorite flower, but my favorite color
in the garden is purple in combination with
lime green accents.
Robin’s tips for gardening success:
*Clean up/clean out
Thoroughly clean and de-clutter every
part of your garden. Prune back plant
materials that overgrow the walkways. Get
rid of problem plants that don’t make your
heart sing.
*Fix it
The class of ‘99 was fortunate to meet Repair anything that is broken or in
In 1994, Robin and Tom Hazard
Robin Hazard, MG ‘98 when she stepped bought their home in Monterey and began need of maintenance.
up to replace an ailing speaker and *Create
renovating the garden using principles of
introduced us to the versatile, mini-floral Make the front gate and front door
design from the art of Feng Shui. The
arrangements known as "Tussie Mussies”. garden they created is like a house without indescribably inviting. Create a garden
Little did we know at that early time in our doors – divided into distinct rooms. Two entry that is a welcome transition from the
MG life that she was the original flower hectic pace of the outside world.
elements reinforce the feeling of an
floozy ... translating that love into work as out-of-doors home: real windows mounted *Shop Smart
a floral designer. (Yes, you really can Purchase or add plant materials only
on the fence top to frame and accentuate
work for money while caressing fragrant with a plan.
the bay view, and a back garden that is
flowers all day.) *Continually Renew
divided by both elevation and wooden
As the garden grows and matures, it
screens/walls.
Robin's work has not only been seen at necessitates further modifications of the
the usual parties and social functions, but Touring Robin and Tom’s garden, step garden environment. There is no final
she recently participated in Bouquets to into each room or nook and wish for a destination. It’s all a journey.
Art at the Maritime Museum in Monterey good book and the leisure to enjoy the Robin shares her gardening success
as part of Monterey History and Art's 75th setting. Pass through a gate flanked by with husband, Tom, Director of
birthday celebration, where she designed Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’ so luscious that Continuous Learning at The Naval
an arrangement to compliment the you’ll want to eat them. Be prepared for a Postgraduate School. Tom claims that he is
museum's display of Canton, China. feast for the eyes – tree fern, apple trees, highly skilled at the "mule work" of the
English primroses, salvias, grasses, first two points above, Clean up/out
Next time, you’re attending an MG hydrangeas ... and so much more.
event, look for Hazard’s work. Often and Fix it.
you’ll see a single, perfect flower, such as Did you know that Robin has made 2006 is the Hazard’s second time as a
a gorgeous rose or a velvety purple friends with a blue jay and the little guy venue for the MBMG tour, but by no
clematis, surrounded by well chosen follows her companionably around the means her only experience. In 1998, she
supporting flowers and greens then artfully garden talking to her? Nuts, you say, to a worked in Michele Swanson’s garden
tucked into a tiny vase. modern day Dr. Doolittle? I wouldn’t have (Michelle was the mover, shaker and first
believed it either if I hadn’t seen it with chair of the tours). With that up-close
my own eyes. Then, there is the black cap experience, she went on to chair the 2nd
chickadee that is nesting in the pique tour in 1999, and followed that up in 2000
Mark your calendar --
assiette birdhouse for the first time. I by graciously offering her garden when the
California Statewide attribute this Doolittle-ism to Robin’s MG’s tour first featured gardens in
Master Gardeners Conference sense of humor which extends into the Monterey County. 2000 was an extra busy
Oct. 5-6 garden. For instance, there is an old alarm year for Robin as she also headed up the
San Jose clock surrounded by at least four varieties MBMG program. Thanks, Robin, for eight
Info: camastergardeners.ucdavis.edu of thyme (get it? time/thyme). Then, there years of service to the MBMG program.
is Willy, the moose, with an asparagus Î
fern collar.
MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS ÎAugust-September 2006 3

Right:
in Robin’s
garden:
floriferous
basket, including
a yellow-orange
leaved Heuchera

Below:
Succulent
growing through
a lawnmower

Below right:
Iris and
helper
4 August-September 2006 ÎMONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS
Phyllis Hilton’s Natural Setting in Monterey
As you meander up the hill to
Phyllis Hilton’s garden, you’ll be
treated to a rare slice of old Monterey.
Journey to a different time zone of
peaceful, quiet streets, old adobe
houses and a serene, natural setting of
glorious old oaks.
You will be welcomed in the front
yard by a lovely fountain, which lends
a peaceful aura as you enter this
natural garden. A hedge rose from the
Colton Hall Gardens, planted by
Phyllis’ father, also graces the
garden’s entrance.
This has been Phyllis’ family
home since the 1940’s. Be sure to take
special notice of the roof tiles. They
put new meaning into ‘hand made’ as
they are so old they were formed over
a man’s leg!
As you wander the garden, it’s like
taking a walk in the woods with
plantings mingling with antiques and
garden art. The excitement builds as
you walk on meandering paths,
wondering what lies around the corner.
In the lawn area you’ll see a
display of cactus, including the large
saguaro that bloom almost constantly.
It’s surprising to find them blooming
so profusely in Monterey with it’s
cool, foggy climate. Some plants have
as many as five blossoms at a time!
Be sure not to miss the queen protea,
an outstanding specimen Phyllis found
in San Luis Obispo, and the recently
planted golden raspberries and
espaliered apple trees.
Phyllis has lots of penstemon, a
favorite plant of hers since the deer
don’t eat them. You’ll also find
euphorbia, salvia, lavender, iris,
rhododendron and a mass planting of
bromeliads. The hummingbird salvia
have naturalized in her yard.
Phyllis expanded on her degrees in
Botany and Microbiology by joining
the Master Gardener program in 2000.
She served on the Master Gardener
Board for two years and worked for
the US Park Service as a naturalist. Be
sure to take your time to really
experience the peacefulness of this
natural setting. ----Many thanks to
numerous contributors to this article.
Î
MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS ÎAugust-September 2006 5

The McCormick Garden John Goolsby,MG ’04 and Leora Worthington, MG ‘03

Maryanne and Bob McCormick’s first new plant when they

moved into their home four years ago was a Granny Smith apple
tree. Maryanne wanted not only to stake their claim to the gardens,
but wanted a tree that would grow up with the family.
There was plenty of room for a new tree because they had
acquired a place which had been vastly neglected for many years,
leaving only the hardiest plants living. The previous owner did
have a love for gardening when she was able, so there are sizable
rhododendrons, and some of the biggest jade trees I’ve ever seen,
interspersed under some of the prettiest Oaks I’ve ever set eyes on
in a housing development.
The lot features distinct areas of shade on one side of the house
where the patios are, and full sun on the other side of the house,
where the vegetable and kitchen herb gardens are. Maryann, from
the MBMG class of ’04, grew up on a farm, so gardening is in her
genes!
designing the landscaping, Bob installs the hardscaping, adding
compacted sand and flagstone pathways around the house to
increase accessibility, leveling out the hillside through creative use
of wood retaining walls, building a beautiful railing to safeguard
the children (and their large dog) from accidentally taking a plunge,
constructing raised beds for the vegetable garden, and setting up
large trellises along the back fence to train the beautiful old
climbing roses.
The family is looking forward to enjoying vegetables from the
newly planted garden. Maryann is already adding Nasturtium
flowers from the garden to salads.
Color is popping up all around the place, as annuals are
brightly placed and perennials mature. Maryann is experimenting
with mound gardening, after taking a class offered by Sierra Azul,
who’s staff are veterans at mound gardening. She has established a
mound with a Mediterranean theme, although currently the
perennials are hiding beneath Molly’s copious planting of vibrant
California poppies!

Like their son Max, much of their gardens are in their infancy,
since it took nearly two years to refurbish the house. Now the
family, including two year old Molly, is focusing on re-establishing
the gardens.
Maryann says the gardens are definitely designed with family
activities in mind. They have installed a raised lawn of native,
shade, and drought tolerant mixed fescues in one area, where Molly
and little brother Max can run & play, or just snooze beneath one of
the beautiful oaks, as Max was doing upon my first visit.
The oaks around the patio provide a feeling of being in a forest.
Maryann is looking forward to experimenting with shade tolerant
plants that can still thrive under oaks without endangering them.
Fuchsias are among her favorite plants, and the site offers plenty of
possibilities to add more to the existing fuchsias and camellias.
Maryann’s gardens are well worth a visit. These gardens are
Intriguingly, there are forests of Jade trees under the forest of
an excellent example of creativity in revitalizing an area. By
Oaks. Especially impressive is the Jade tree with a massive trunk
September many new plants will be more established, and the
(a transplant from a friend) under the oaks in the front yard.
annuals will be rampant! The hardscaping designs are well thought
The sizable lot offered a challenge due to the steep slope out and very attractive, and there will be a composting
running from front to back. While both parents work together demonstration set up on site for the tour. Don’t miss this garden!
6 August-September 2006 ÎMONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS
Time Out - Food Stops
It is easy to work up an appetite
traveling from garden to garden on the
garden tour. Here are some eateries
recommended by the featured gardeners
to stop for a bite or a drink before, during
or after you visit their gardens.
Pacific Grove/Monterey---
Maryanne’s garden, Robin’s garden and
Phyllis’ garden
There are two exits off Hwy 1 to
consider when heading for these gardens
– Munras which also accesses Pacific
Ave and Hwy 68 which is Forest Ave.
Munras exit: Whole Foods has a
great deli, soup/salad bar, bakery and
coffeeor expresso service. Good for
breakfast or lunch. Turn right on
Munras, turn right into Del Monte
Shopping Center, first right for Whole
Foods Parking. If you want to go into
old town Monterey: Rossine's on
Alvarado is a good place for a sit down
lunch Turtle Bay Taqueria on Tyler
behind the Golden State Theater has
quick and delicious food.
Near Robin’s house: Compagno's
Market and Deli is on Prescott....their
sandwiches are HUGE, fairly reasonable
(they are right outside the gate to the
Defense Language School) and they have
good cakes! Gianni'sPizza is on
Lighthouse as is Toasties.
Hwy 68 winds down through the Del
Monte Forest into Pacific Grove. You
Tickets, Tickets, Tickets…
Thanks to the following nurseries for supporting our tour
by selling advance tickets:
Aptos
Hidden Gardens
Native Revival
The Potting Shed
Carmel
Brinton’s
Succulent Gardens
The Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore &
Gardenshop
Homescapes Carmel
Gilroy
West Side Nursery
will find several restaurants before you
reach the old town commercial area:
Patisserie Bechler is on your right
across from the tire store going down
into PG – they have a wonderful bakery
with expresso bar and pastries, but also
serve lunch – soup, sandwiches and great
quiche. On your left are Trader Joes for
pre-packed sandwiches and salads, Fifi’s
French Bistro for sit-down lunch and
Pablo’s or Michael's Grill for Mexican
food. Breakers Cafe is near the Ace
Hardware store on the left. Ocean Sushi
Deli is on the corner of David and
Forest.
Breakfast places in Pacific Grove
include First Awakenings, in the Tin
Cannery near the Aquarium and
Breaker's Café on Forest.
Carmel-by-the-Sea--- Walter’s
garden: Come down early for breakfast:
Em Le’s on Dolores between 5th and 6th is
famous for their French toast. Katy’s
Place on Mission and 6th has great
omelets. Unless you want to hang with
the tourists in Carmel, I recommend
eating lunch elsewhere. There are a
profusion of restaurants with parking
difficult to come by, especially at
lunchtime. One exception: if you can
find a place to park, Friar Tuck’s on the
corner of 5th and Dolores is an old style
café with great BLTs and service.
Otherwise, eat at the places mentioned
above or out on Carmel Valley Road on
the way to Betsy’s garden.
Moss Landing
Elkhorn Native Nursery
Pacific Grove
Griggs Nursery
Miss Trawick’s Garden Shop
Pacific Grove Florist
Santa Cruz
The Garden Company
Florabunda
Pottery Planet
San Lorenzo Garden Center
Far West Nursery
Kathleen Sonntag, MG ‘06
Carmel Valley--- Betsy’s Garden:
There are restaurants and coffee and a
bagel shop in the Barnyard and next to
Albertson’s – turn right at the first light
on Carmel Valley Road. Earthbound
Farms is the first spot you will see on the
right hand side as you continue east from
Hwy 1. It has a good deli and a place to
sit outside – the gardens are there to
admire. Continue eastward and you will
find midvalley where Jeffery's can be
found in the Safeway shopping center.
They serve breakfast until 11. Carmel
Valley Village is 2.5 miles east of
Betsy’s home – several restaurants and
wine tasting opportunities can be found
there: Corkscrew Bistro Garden Bistro,
Cafe Rustica, Wills Fargo are all good
restaurants and you will see the winery
tasting rooms for Heller Estates and
others.
If you want to splurge, Wickets, the
outdoor restaurant at Bernardus Lodge
on the corner of Laureles Grade and
Carmel Valley road is excellent. It's
worth going there for the landscaping -
the vegetable garden is open to the
public.
Hope these suggestions whet your
appetite and assist you in planning your
day of garden visits. Î
Carmel Valley
Avant Garden Art & Home
FezQ Gardens
Valley Hills Nursery
Salinas
Bokay Nursery
Swenson & Silacci Flowers
Monterey
Drought Resistant Nursery
Cypress Garden Nursery (checks only)
Swenson & Silacci Flowers
MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS ÎAugust-September 2006 7

Location, Location, Location... Leora Worthington, MG ‘03

Hazard Ticket Prices

Mc Cormick McCormick
Call Pat Verde (831) 384-8328 for
will call
$15 advance purchase
$20 day of Tour at each garden
$12 each for groups of 10 or more

Hilton

Walzer

Tour Information
Will call for tickets
Hilton garden
Art Gallery
Main one at Hilton garden, Shea
Smaller one at Walzer garden
Raffle, Composting and Worm composting
McCormick garden
Garden Locations
Plant Sale
Hazard -- 1101 Irving Avenue, Monterey
Shea garden
Hilton -- 23 El Camino Del Sur, Monterey
Informational table, Homeless Garden items,
Youth Garden items McCormick -- 1202 Otter Lane, Pacific Grove
Hazard Garden Shea -- 473 West Carmel Valley Road, CV
Waltzer -- 3155 Camino Del Monte, Carmel
8 August-September 2006 ÎMONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS
Peaceful Retreat in Carmel Valley
Nestled in the hillside at the base
of Laureles Grade, Betsy Shea’s
garden is the product of 34 years of
trial and error, experiments and good
luck, as well as knowledge and
perseverance. The 2 ½ acre lot is
covered with several large, old
Monterey pines, a smattering of olive
trees, and native oak woodland,
among other trees.
Coming from Monterey, look for
the spectacular display of Aloes on
your left, just before Laureles Grade
Road. They won’t be in bloom in
September, but they’ll still be striking
and fabulous. The gardens are divided
into several distinct areas. Once you
enter the property and drive past those
Aloes, you will notice a large stand of
matilija poppies on your left. They
may be blooming in September, but
they’re amazing in June. Continue up
the hill to the clearing and enter the
first part of the garden (ignore that
plant sale for now you can always
come back to it at the end of the tour).
Betsy and I started our tour just inside the gate of her yard. We
were greeted by the yips of Chloe, a large, friendly border collie.
She stayed in the house, however, and we spent the rest of the tour
accompanied by the many birds that make this garden home. The
twittering of black-capped phoebes, towhees, robins, wrens, juncos
and others, was all we could hear, despite the fact that traffic is
sailing by constantly on nearby Carmel Valley Road.
This part of the garden is the area near the house where Betsy
built a raised adobe bed surrounding a gravel and cement patio. The
bed is filled with Agapanthus, which some may consider a
pedestrian landscape plant, but here provides a spectacular display
of color as a group planting in mid-summer. This was inspired by a
trip to Mexico many years ago, when Betsy visited the home of the
“padrone” of a village who had a similar display.
This part of the garden is all about ease. The Agapanthuses are
carefree and require little maintenance. That’s important when one
works full time and is the sole gardener. Who has time for fussy
plants? Betsy realized about 15 years ago that she was just buying
plants and plopping them anywhere, just because she liked them.
The garden had no “bones.” She stopped the impulse buying (so she
says, but who of us really has that kind of willpower?) and started
concentrating on hardscape. The adobe walls had already gone up,
and so in went the patio area. This is where Betsy spends much of
her time and has most of her meals. It’s a charming little walled area of Betsy’s tenant’s home, where she has planted more roses and a
off the kitchen, shaded by those large Monterey pines, which is a
good thing in Carmel Valley, where it can get very warm in the
summer.
The small lawn to the south of this area is Betsy’s trial
perennial garden. This section is about 6 years old and is a work in plants and this is the result. The area borders the native woodland
Kat Dedontney, MG ‘04
progress. Betsy is still experimenting with
year-round bloom here. As far as
I can see, she is succeeding. She has
created a small oval mound garden
surrounded by river rock and filled with
flowering plants. The lush green lawn sets
off the jewel tone colors of the bed and the
surrounding borders. Roses thrive along the
fence in the borders. Camellias, which
require very little care or water, are thriving
here. This part of the yard has a cottage
feel. Helleboruses are scattered among the
roses and trees, many of them volunteers.
Betsy pointed out a Fuchsia that she got as
a clipping from Cynthia Jordan’s garden; it
has grown into big plant of which she is
very proud. It is gorgeous. Most of this area
is rarely if ever watered. Most everything is
in baskets, as gophers and deer are a big
problem in this area.
The next garden room is the formal
garden, on the other side of the house.
Once a lawn, this is the patio where Betsy
laid much of the brick herself and is
justifiably proud of her work. Much of the
inspiration for this garden came from
Bernardus, the spa/resort located just east
of Betsy’s house on CV Road. Their gardens are formal and
Mediterranean. Here, surrounded by a hedge of David Austin
Iceberg roses, are Viburnum, olive trees, lavender, daylilies, Ribes
viburnifolium and Japanese anemone. One can imagine a garden
party with overhead lights, soft music wafting from the house, and
the chatter and laughter of guests. This is a very relaxing spot with a
lot of hard work and thought put into it. It’s also low maintenance
and low water, two very important ingredients for a busy gardener.
Betsy likes masses of plants, evidenced here by the roses. This may
seem contradictory to all the water saving plants elsewhere, but it’s
one small indulgence that pays off in a big way when these roses are
in full bloom. If only the deer would cooperate and let them do
so….
The beds in this part of the garden boast Heuchera and
Ophiopogon in unexpected shades of chartreuse and black. Pots of
Clivia line the floor to ceiling walls of windows of the house. Large
gnarled oaks soar overhead, pruned to show off their beautiful
shape. I was surprised to see a large area of Stachys (lamb’s ear) in
bloom. I have never seen it bloom before with large purple flowers.
Betsy said this is the first time she has seen it bloom also,
presumably because of all the late rain.
A large Juncus in a pot on one wall of the stucco house is a
striking focal point. This area of the garden flows into the front yard
large lemon tree in a pot that seems to love its confinement.
We walked between the tenant’s house and the huge ancient
hollow oak to the back part of the property and the “Australian
garden.” Betsy had a tenant who liked to propagate Australian
MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS ÎAugust-September 2006 9

that flows up the hill, as well as the driveway to the tenant’s house.
Because there is no foot traffic here, these plants from Down Under
are thriving. Most plants from Australia and New Zealand have
very shallow root systems and will not do well with a lot of traffic
nearby. Here the Proteas, Banksias, and Leucospermum are in
bright bloom when I visit on this June day, while the Grevilleas
have yet to show their flowers. These plants are large and happy
and provide an interesting contrast to the native oak and grassland
on the hillside. Betsy has also planted some specimen Phormiums,
Aloe and grasses in this area where they blend well with the
Aussies.
This seems like a very compact 2 1/2 acres, although if you
look at the size of many of the plants, you get a better perspective
of the size of the place. Despite its size and her busy schedule,
Betsy has done all the irrigation herself except for what was here to
begin with. This garden is a labor of love and Betsy’s pride in her
home is obvious. It’s a work in progress, as all our gardens are; a
blessing in size, as Betsy can experiment and fulfill all her whims
and ideas, but also a curse, as she’s just one woman with only so
much time.
At this point we have returned to the area where the plant sale
will be. Go ahead and indulge in the plant sale now, fill your car,
then watch out for traffic on Carmel Valley Road as you head back
into Monterey. While you’re at it, let someone else drive so you can
enjoy the scenery along the road. See you at the next garden! Î
10 August-September 2006 ÎMONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS

The Waltzer Garden John Goolsby, MG ’04 and Leora Worthington, MG ‘03

When Stuart Walzer and his wife Paula retired to Carmel from
Southern California nine years ago, the property surrounding their
house was best described as “wild and wooly!” They took out a
tremendous amount of coyote brush and scotch broom in the
beginning. Today that same space could best be described as “a
geography lesson,” with plants from all over the world in
abundance.
background of plants, shrubs, and oak trees. Another pleasant patio
behind the house provides additional room for Stuart, Paula, and
their guests to relax in.
The Waltzers, who will celebrate their 55th wedding
anniversary this year, tour the world visiting gardens, with a
majority of their time touring gardens in England (where Paula is
from) and France. They often come back with ideas and plants
to add!
In addition to gardening tours, Stuart gets ideas and plants from
the UCSC Arboretum, Cabrillo plant sales, and nurseries.
Acquisition of plants often happens in surges. For instance, a
shipment of Iris from Holland is expected this fall. Other sources
include discoveries through garden circles, and Stuart’s many
gardening friends, including notable rose expert Bill Grant.
Roses, of which there are about 50 on the property right now,
are just one of his favorite varieties of plants. The gardens are
made up mostly of perennials from the Southern Hemisphere,
counting thirty members of the Proteacea family alone, including
Proteas, Grevilleas, Banksias, and even a Telopea.
“I tend to focus on a variety of plant for about two years,”
Stuart says, his recent focus in succulents now being overshadowed
by an interest in Geraniums and Pelargoniums. Other delights to
be experienced are the 20 Japanese maples, three Magnolias, red,
blue, and pink Salvias, grasses, Cotinus, Knifophias, Clematis, and
Stuart’s favorite, the ‘Grape-Koolaid’ plant, just to name a few!

The gardens are in bloom throughout the year, but the flowers
are just one aspect of the splendor. There is an amazing variety of
colors, sizes, shapes, patterns, textures, fragrances, and tastes
surrounding visitors as they look around. I couldn’t keep myself
from pointing to a plant here, a plant there, and saying, “Wow,
what’s that!”
Stuart practiced law for 43 years, and while he had been
gardening for about 30 years, it wasn’t until retirement that his
quiet romance with gardening exploded into a passion. He enjoys
the physical aspects of the work, finding it very calming, thriving
on every minute of it. While hardscaping is about the only thing he
hires out, there’s always something to do, and he spends most of his
time nowadays working in the gardens.
The gardens are a collaborative effort, though, with Stuart
providing the labor, and Paula advising if the location of a plant
pulls the pleasure of the garden out of balance. Paula, a
professional artist, not only applies her expert eye to maintaining
harmony in the gardens, but also incorporates garden materials into
much of her imagery artwork, whether the piece is a magnificent
collage incorporating pressed flowers, digital art, a painting, or a
sculpture. Paula also arranges the bountiful cut flowers that Stuart
provides to “bring the outdoors indoors.”
The large glass window in their living room also brings the
outdoors indoors, as it overlooks a brick patio in the front with a
MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS ÎAugust-September 2006 11

He also is starting to incorporate more annuals, and is

experimenting with containers, which are ideal when
running out of space, and are easier to control. The
astounding number of plants has led to creative use of
space with containers, trellises, and training climbing
roses up tree trunks. Not only are additions constantly
incorporated into the gardens, but also much time is spent
propagating lots of cuttings. Although pests are few, the
Monterey cypress in the raised bed in back like their roots
to be near the surface, so soil must be periodically added
to assure the plants underneath the trees are not fighting
for space.
While the gardens are compact and bountiful, there is
ample room on trails and patios so visitors will not have
to fight for space like some of the plants would have to if
Stuart didn’t enjoy working in the gardens so much!
A visit to Paula and Stuart’s is a feast in arts, with her
imagery art and his gardening providing a balance that is
an art in itself. Allow yourself plenty of time at this
location!Î
Advanced
12 Training, Volunteer Opportunities
August-September andBAY
2006 ÎMONTEREY Other
MASTER Events
GARDENERS
Sat., Aug 12, 10-3, MG Quarterly Meeting, Elkhorn Slough National
Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) Conference Room,
1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville. Come to all or part of our day’s
activities. Be sure to not miss a great opportunity to learn more about
what’s happening in our own backyard! Contact Alicia Molina for
questions.
Sat. Aug. 26, Pre-tour. Tour workday (9-12) followed by potluck
(12-1) then caravan to all the gardens on tour. Details to follows.
Sat., Aug. 26, 10 - noon, Perennials in the Landscape. Ken Foster,
owner of Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping, shares his ideas on
incorporating perennials into your yard and garden. Get ready for the
fall perennial-planting season as you learn about best-performing
varieties, drought-tolerant plants, and much more. $15 for Friends’
members; $20 for non-members, payable at the workshop. Louise Cain
Gatehouse, UCSC Farm. Call 831-459-3240 for more information.
Sat., Aug. 26, 1-3, Free Hands-On Wormshop, Grey Bears Recycling
Facility, 2710 Chanticleer, Santa Cruz. Learn how worms can eat your
food scraps and make beautiful vermicompost for your garden. The
County of Santa Cruz makes it easy for you to learn how and get
started. Attend a Wormshop, where Master Composters will teach you
everything you need to know and help you set up your own worm bin.
If you wish, you may set up a worm bin to take home ($20 materials fee
for worms and bin or $10 for worms only). Call Santa Cruz County’s
Worm Doctor, Karin Grobe to reserve materials, (831) 427-3452. Or
go to www.compostsantacruzcounty.org to sign up.
Sat., Sept. 16, 1-3, Free Hands on Wormshop, Junction Park, Boulder
Creek (Intersection Railroad and Middleton).
Other Garden Events
Fri., Sept. 8, noon - 6 & Sat., Sept. 9, 10 - 2, UCSC Fall Plant Sale.
Fall is a wonderful time to plant vegetable crops that will extend your
Sharon Ettinger, MG ’00 and Sharon Tyler, MG ‘04
gardening season and to give perennials a good head start for next
spring's blossoms. The region's best-suited varieties of organically
grown winter vegetables and landscape plants will be available.
Proceeds support the Apprenticeship program. Friends' members
receive 10% off all purchases. Barn Theater Parking Lot, corner of Bay
and High Streets. Call 831-459-3240 for more information.
Sat., Sept. 9, 10-4, Monterey Bay Master Gardeners Annual Tour.
Tell all your friends not to miss this opportunity to view 5 outstanding
gardens in Carmel Valley, Carmel, Monterey and Pacific Grove.
Tickets available at the gardens.
Fri., Sept. 22 & 29, 11 – 5, Bonfante Garden Days. Bonfante Gardens
invites you to an afternoon of fun without the hustle and bustle of the
theme park rides. Docents will be on hand to talk with you about the
wonderful gardens and educational exhibits. Guests are also encouraged
to visit the gift shops and restaurants. No rides will be in operation.
Tickets are available at the gate for a discounted price of just $15.00
per person. (Tickets must be used on date of purchase).
Sat., Sept. 23, 11 am, Apple Day at The Farm. Take a page from
Johnny Appleseed's book, with this practical day devoted to America's
favorite fruit, offering expert advice on pruning, grafting and harvesting
your apple trees. Salinas Valley, Tel: 831-455-2575,
www.thefarmsalinasvalley.com
Sept. 12-17, Santa Cruz County Fair, Watsonville Fairgrounds.
www.santacruzcountyfair.com.
Volunteer Opportunities
The UCSC Arboretum is looking for Master Gardener volunteers.
Please contact Joan Norvelle at 831-429-5244 or norvelle@cruzio.com
for further information.
The Historic Garden League in Monterey is looking for Mater Gardener
docents. Please call Marie at 831-625-9854.Î

G A R D E N I N G O N T H E E D G E
Newsletter of the Monterey Bay Master Gardeners

For 6 issues, send $25 to:

Master Gardeners Newsletter
1432 Freedom Blvd.
Watsonville, CA 95076
http://montereybaymg/ucdavis.edu
Hotline: 831-763-8007
Ad rates: $25 bi-monthly from gardening
oriented businesses.
Address change: contact Robin Sanders at
726-1942 or robinsanders@redshift.com.

Editor: Joan McLeod Mertz

Assistant Editor:
Design/Layout: Christina Kriedt
Circulation: Crystal Bertheau
Staff:
Bonnie Pond Paul McCollum
Al Derrick Natalie Chambliss
Tom Karwin Mary Koch
Jan Olafsson Ellen Wright
Kari Olsen Nancy Ruiz
Kathleen Sonntag Sharon Tyler
Stuart Walzer
Copyright © 2006 MBMG. All rights reserved