Sonoma County Nurseries

Dear Readers,

This is our 10th Annual Gardener’s Resource Guide and it all started as a resource to small, locally-owned nurseries from whom I bought plants when I still had a gardening business. I miss that way of making a living, but the Gazette took over and now I tend my own garden when I have time. Publishing a paper is a way to influence peoples’ decision and I want my readers to support people who care about our environment and the health of our home. 

Do you love being out in nature—the fresh air, sunshine, birdcalls, scents of plants, and inspiring vistas? Then, when you come back home, does that magic start to fade?

A garden is not just plants—it’s a place for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. Using whimsical garden décor can transform your garden with little to no effort. There are three approaches to decorating your garden:  purchase items; create your own artwork; do both. If you decide to purchase art for your garden, it makes sense to buy objects that have been recycled from something else. Many artists in Sonoma County work with reclaimed materials. When you buy their artwork, you are supporting the local economy and you have unique art. You are also helping the environment by reducing the trash sent to landfills and reducing the need for mining for brand new raw materials.

Would you like a bamboo privacy screen or windbreak for your deck but don’t have room for a ground planting?  Do you have an empty corner on your patio that is calling for a lush spray of green foliage?  Do you love bamboo but don’t want to put it in the ground?  Perhaps bamboo planted in a container is your answer. Although it does not do well indoors, with proper attention to species selection, planter size and maintenance, bamboo will thrive outside in planters.

Everyone knows that when you need a tree pruned or removed you call a tree service right?  But, who do you call? There are lots of tree services with different specialties and there are lots of professional certifications for managing trees and forests. Management activities can include pruning trees, planting trees, removing hazardous trees, thinning the forest for disease control or fire protection and harvesting timber. The entire industry is riddled with grey areas and overlapping responsibilities, but I hope this will provide some clarification. 

Is there a cuter critter than the pocket gopher? But if you garden in the west county, you may be forgiven for hating our most populous resident rodent. Because everyone has their war stories. The shaking clump of ornamental grass that disappeared into the earth. The listing fruit tree gnawed off at the base. Just last week I pruned a rose that seemed to need a stake or something. Sure enough, the hungry pests had severed all but one lone root....

FREE family event and a homegrown Sonoma County institution. Hallberg Butterfly Gardens was started as a personal passion for butterflies, and evolved over time into a preserve designed to educate people about butterflies and create a preserve where they are nurtured and protected in an ideal habitat. Every year Louise Hallberg opens her gardens to school classes and the public for tours, instruction, and to marvel at the wonder of these magical insects.

Before most of our garden shows early blooms, the birds begin their morning songs telling us that spring is here. Chickadees have told us every time the sunflower seed has run out in the feeder behind our kitchen on dark, cold winter days. Although they still frequent the feeder, they seem more interested in each other. Hummingbirds do their aerial mating displays. Fox sparrows scratch the fallen leaves under the naked willow. A pygmy nuthatch vigorously bathes in the shallow dish we fill with water. Over the seventeen years we have lived in this valley just outside of Forestville, we have watched many birds living their lives, whether as migrating visitors or residents. In this article we hope to share some of the things we have learned about making our garden a place where birds can thrive. 

While many gardening articles in the early part of the year may be focusing on getting you ready to plant that yummy, summer vegetable garden, here I’m asking you to make a point to mark your 2013 calendar now to remind you when to plant your winter vegetable garden!

Just like humans, songbirds build homes to raise their families.  While many people think songbirds only nest high up in the trees, the truth is they nest everywhere.  Songbirds nest in trees as well as bushes, cavities and even on the ground; some build nests on human dwellings, bridges and other human-made structures.  They use an assortment of materials to construct their nests:  mud, plant fibers, animal hair, moss, lichen, tree bark, twigs, saliva, spider’s silk and even human trash such as string, dryer lint and cellophane.  The materials and construction design of the nest keep eggs and chicks protected and warm.

Food For Thought Antiques in Sebastopol is a great place for holiday shopping. It has a large selection of china, crystal, silver, and vintage linens to dress up your holiday table as well as vases, bowls, and candlesticks to help you create beautiful centerpieces and decorations.

The following is a list of Sonoma County businesses that serve gardeners and landscapers....from plant material to soil products…and landscape designers. Each listed business that has a web site also has a LINK to their site and enough informaiton to let you know who they are, what they sell, and why you want to support their business. You’ll also find this list on www.SonomaCountyNurseries.com where you will find the artices that are in the Gardeners Guide. If you know of anyone I should add to the web site, please call 707-887-0253 - or e-mail me at vesta@sonic.net. Gardening is good for us in so many ways...from filtering our air to providing beauty to soothe our souls. There is little more satisfying that being among lovely plants and flowers.