Programs/Speakers
Temecula Valley Garden Club Programs for 2023/2024
Program Information: LESLEY GJEDDE
September 12, 2023 Program: Monarch Butterflies and Native Milkweed
Speaker: Linda Powell, UCCE Master Gardener and long-term TVGC member
Western monarch butterflies make an annual migration to overwinter in
forested groves along the coast of California. Each spring, the monarchs
fan out across the West to lay their eggs on milkweed, which is the only
plant that monarch caterpillars eat. However, the western migration is in
trouble. Since scientists started tracking monarch populations in the
1980s, the number of monarchs is believed to have declined by 99%.
Linda will describe the causes for the decline and how we can support
the monarchs. She will discuss the need to plant milkweed and when to
cut it down so the monarchs move on in their migration. She will also
clear up the misconceptions about milkweed, and explain why native
milkweed is preferred over the tropical milkweed.
Native milkweed grown by Murrieta Valley High School students in
collaboration with the Riverside Master Gardener, School Gardening
Program, will be free to attendees.
October 10, 2023 Program: Dudleyas/California & Baja Jewel of Succulents
Speaker: Kelly Griffin, Succulent Plant Development Manager, Altman’s Plants
Kelly is a succulent plant hybridizer, propagator and avid plant
explorer. Like many of us, his interest in plants and, in particular, succulent
plants started at a fairly young age.
Since his early exposure, Kelly has traveled to 20+ countries searching for
plants, visiting Madagascar 5 times, South Africa 5 times and Mexico 25
plus times to name a few. He worked as the Curator of Succulents at
Rancho Soledad Nursery for 11 years and for the past 11 years he has
been working for Altman’s Plants as Succulent Plant Development
Manager.
He has become well known for his hybridizing and is responsible for many
succulent hybrids now in the trade, including Aloes, Agaves and
Echeverias. His specialty that he is well known for are his Aloe hybrids that are 30 years in the
making (Pink Blush, Delta lights, Christmas Sleigh and Coral Fire etc.) and some Agave hybrids and
selections too (Blue Glow, Snow Glow, Cubic, Black and Blue, Dragon Toes, Spawn, and Crème
Brûlée to name just a few). He is also responsible for making seed from
many interesting species and propagating the seed for all to enjoy in
cultivation.
Kelly has been a member of the San Diego Cactus and Succulent Society
since 1992. He has been on the Board of Directors for the SDCSS for as he
says “way too long.” He has served 4 years as SDCSS President and 2
years as Vice-President as well. He was very honored to have been named
a Fellow of the San Diego Society.
He currently serves as a director on the board of the Cactus and Succulent
Society of America and is actively involved in supporting the conservation of all plants but succulent
plants in particular.
Kelly will be bringing along plants for sale.
November 14, 2023 Holiday Boutique
Plants, gardening books, and lots of hand-crafted items for sale as a fundraiser for TVGC.
December 14, 2023 Program: Creating holiday floral designs
Speaker: Diana Drummey
We are excited to present Diana Drummey as our "entertainment" for the December meeting. Diana will be creating holiday floral designs, which will be raffled off to our members so be sure to purchase raffle tickets.
Diana loves to garden. She is adventurous with hydroponics, building raised beds and other oddities in her yard. She has been a National Garden Club judge since 2010, and is currently president of the Southwest Judges Council. She became a San Diego Master Gardener in 2016 and currently serves as 2nd VP of Continuing Education. Diana is also a member of Crown Garden Club of Coronado, Coronado Floral Association, and chair of the Coronado Flower Show in both 2018 and 2022.
Diana has had an interesting life, retiring as a police sergeant after 25 years with the City of Coronado Police Department. She is also an entertaining speaker and I’m sure you will enjoy the program!
January 9,2024 Program: Health of the Forests and Penny Pines
Speaker: Naomi LeGere-Gordon, External & Legislative Affairs
Officer of San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office.
Naomi serves under the Forest Protection arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service to work in partnership with the National Forest System, other federal agencies, states, Native American tribes and the private sector, to provide assistance, technical expertise, and forest health information based on the most recent available science.
For more information on Penny Pines, follow this link: https://www.californiagardenclubs.com/penny-pines/
February 13, 2024 Program: World of Mushrooms Speaker: Robert Richardson
Robert Richardson has been involved in environmental remediation, agriculture, and medicine his entire
career. Over the last 10 years, Mr. Richardson has developed new mycological products within the industry, including growing new species, products for recycling wastes, and mushrooms that bio digest plastics into non-toxic byproducts.
Mr. Richardson has 2 pending US patents.
March 12, 2024 Program: Designs for the Flower Show Speaker: Nancy Curtis
After retiring from a career mostly in nursing, Nancy joined a garden club to learn how to take care of her garden. Vista
Garden Club helped her do this and, in the process, got her started with a new hobby in floral design. After entering flower shows for several years and winning blue ribbons, she was convinced to become a Flower Show Judge. Nancy jumped into three years of classes and practice, studying and testing, and in 2017 she finally became a judge.
Nancy feels lucky in being mentioned by some of the best floral designers in San Diego. She has won ribbons in both
design and horticulture in flower shows in Coronado, Del Mar Fair, Poway, Vista, Dos Valles and Fallbrook.
Nancy has learned so much about growing, nurturing, creating, and presenting the art of flower arranging and design, that she wants to share her love of this art.
There are well over 30 creative design types listed in the Flower Show handbook. At the March meeting, Nancy will be demonstrating a few of the design styles that will be part of our 2024 Flower Show, including table design.
April 9, 2024 Program: Gearing Up for the May 11th Flower Show
Speakers: Flower Show Co-Chairs Susan Puma & Susan Corey
Susan Puma will show an entertaining video on how to enter your Horticulture Division exhibits,
as well as some simple tips and tricks to ensure your entries will be blue ribbon winners
Flower Show schedules and entry cards will be available.
During the hospitality time, Ruth Lozano will have an information table to encourage members to enter the Design Division.
Ruth and other designers will be available to personally help members with their designs in the weeks before the show.
Temecula Valley Garden Club Programs for 2022/2023
Program Information: LESLEY GJEDDE
September 13, 2022 Pollinator Garden
Donna Payton has been a member of Poway Valley Garden Club since 2006 and is currently co-president. She enjoys growing plants that provide food and habitat for pollinators, such as butterflies, native bees including bumblebees, as well as for birds--plants that are easy, colorful, and drought tolerant. Donna started the Pollinator Project in the Poway Valley Garden Club this past year to educate garden club members and the public about the critical need to protect pollinators by growing pollinator friendly plants. As part of her mission to increase use of pollinator plants in gardens everywhere, she will bring examples of pollinator friendly plants grown by Moosa Creek Nursery for attendees to look at and if desired, to purchase at a discounted price.
October 11, 2022 Program: California Habitat Gardening Speaker: Rebecca Levers
While California’s native plants have graced gardens worldwide for over a century, few of the landscapes designed for our state’s gardens, parkways, and recreational areas reflect the natural splendor of our extraordinary state. By gardening with native plants, you can bring the beauty of California into your own landscape, enjoy numerous benefits, and help preserve our local ecosystems.
UCCE Master Gardener Rebecca Levers, a member of the California Native Plant Society, will speak about what plants are native to this area and how to add them to your gardens.
November 15, 2022 Holiday Bake Sale and Craft Sale Let’s get a start on the holidays!
December 13, 2022 Holiday Entertainment and Luncheon Member Pot Luck Luncheon and Holiday Celebration
A choir of eight talented singers will delight us with traditional Christmas songs. They represent ‘With These Hands’, a local non-profit organization that offers support and relief for families who have a member suffering from cancer or other catastrophic medical illness. All donations go directly to help financially support families who have medical needs that are not covered by insurance or governmental assistance.
Speaker:
December is also time to prune roses. Our speaker for the December meeting is Roger Fitness
from the Temecula Valley Rose Society. Roger will speak about how to prepare our roses for the winter,
proper pruning, and tips on how to have beautiful roses in the spring.
December 2021 Potluck
Goodies for Sale!
Goodies to Eat!
January 10, 2023 Program: Inside Plants Speaker: Heddy Salerno
Heddy Salerno with speak about creative possibilities with inside plants (live and artificial), maintenance, living walls, and holiday décor. A home is made up of more than the furniture, flooring and art. With the addition of interior plants, it presents an exquisite balance. In fact, live plants can truly turn a house into a home. Also, nothing compares to that warm feeling a living plant provides. Indoor residential plants can brighten up a room and make it more inviting, but can they actually “clean” the air? Yes!
February 14, 2023 Program: How Much Water Do Your Plants Really Need? Speaker: Lynn Coffman
Join Lynn Coffman, UCCE Master Gardener, as she shares what you need to know to stop wasting water and what you need to know to optimally manage your water to maintain a beautiful landscape during a drought and beyond. Using a bit of horticultural knowledge, sustainable practices and improved technology, you can have a beautiful landscape that requires less water, less maintenance and gives California back a sense of place.
March 14, 2023 Program: UCR Botanic Gardens Speaker: Janine Almanzor, Curator for the UCR Botanic Gardens
The UCR Botanic Gardens is a 40-acre living plant museum with more than 3,500 plant species and thousands of specimens from around the world, focusing on plants from Mediterranean climate (dry summer) and arid lands, similar to California and the desert southwestern US. As a part of the UC Riverside campus, the Botanic Gardens is utilized for teaching, research, and demonstration purposes, as well as for enjoyment and appreciation of nature.
A trained scientist and lifelong fan of learning and plants, Janine has turned her passion into a full-time career at UC. As the curator and education coordinator at the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, she uses her experience-based knowledge and specialty skills to beautify the Gardens and inspire its many visitors.
April 11, 2023 Program: Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Speaker: Diana Roy
Resendiz Brothers was etablished in 1999 with a passion for growing exotic flowers and a commitment to providing customers with the highest quality products and service. With decades of farming experience in California's ideal Mediterranean climate, we delight in growing spectacular flowers for customers who demand unique and creative floral options. What began as a business focused on proteas has grown into a "boutique" - type flower farm offering a vast selection of the most distinctive American Grown flowers. In addition to proteas, we now cultivate more than 350 varieties of flowers and foliages, and our selection continues to grow! resendizbrothers.com
There are links to several videos here: https://resendizbrothers.com/resources/videos/
May 9, 2023 Program: Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farm
Mountain Meadows Mushroom Farms, Inc. is a farm located in the rural hills of Escondido. They are family owned and operated since 1952. The farm started as a white button mushroom grower with 6 growing houses, expanded in 1996 to 27 growing houses making them the largest white mushroom grower in Southern California. By 2021, they added exotic mushroom varieties such as crimini, portabello, shiitake, oyster, king trumpet, and many more. All of their mushrooms are USDA certified organic. They pride themselves on growing the freshest mushrooms in the market today. www.mmmushroom.com
June 13, 2023 Program: Slide Show Presentation
“The Year in Review” created by Bob Boyd
End of Year Buffet Pot Luck Luncheon
Recognition of TVGC Outgoing Officers and Installation of TVGC Incoming Officers
Temecula Valley Garden Club Programs for 2021/2022
September 14, 2021:
Our speaker is Laura Simpson who will be speaking on "Container Gardens in Small Spaces." Laura graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology and worked in the local biotech industry for several years before leaving the workforce to take care of her family. She became a certified master gardener volunteer speaker and has given presentations on edible landscaping, vegetable gardening, food safety, integrated pest management and poisonous plants. She writes a weekly syndicated gardening column for the Southern California News Group.
Laura Simpson and her husband, Jim are both UCCE Master Gardeners of Riverside County. This family with 5 children knows how to make use of every inch of space for growing! They live in a tract home in French Valley with an 8000 square foot lot and manage to grow 100 varieties of edible plants. Including exotic and rare fruits. Laura will share her best tips for growing food in small spaces. She is also a Master Food Preserver.
October 12, 2021:
Our speaker is Chuck McClung who will be speaking on “How Orchids Rebloom.” Chuck will describe the three basic requirement for all orchids to rebloom and the five main reasons orchids fail to rebloom. He will focus on proper care for the common Phalaenopsis orchid and what to do when they have finished blooming.
Chuck is a lifelong plant enthusiast and has been assisting gardeners since he was a child. He has a Master’s Degree in Botany and has worked in landscape design and maintenance, ecological research for several universities, and as a gardening columnist, lecturer, and Master Gardener instructor. Chuck now works independently with homeowners helping them solve gardening dilemmas. His book “How Orchids Rebloom” was released in 2019. Chuck will bring his book for signing and plants for sale on October 12th.
November 9, 2021
Program: “Green Cleaning & Green Gardening”
Speaker: Riverside County Department of Waste Resources
The presentation will show club members the benefits of using environmentally sound cleaning practices that use less toxic ingredients.
Volunteer Presenter Amy Parker-Clayton will explain why it is important to simplify our cleaning products, how to save money, and how to make your home a safer environment.
They will demonstrate how easy it is to make cleaning products from ingredients most people already have in their pantry.
Additionally, a few Green Gardening recipes and practices will be introduced. Green Cleaning recipe booklet and Green Gardening pdf will be provided to attendees. Janet Moreland and Betsy Kohler will also be available to answer questions.
December 14, 2021
Program: Holiday Music Singer: Mike Vicari
Our December Meeting will include:
Bake Sale, Arts & Crafts items, Potluck Luncheon and Holiday Entertainment performed by Mike and Kathy Vicari.
(Mike Vicari performs a Frank Sinatra Tribute: “Can I Be Frank?”)
In lieu of our Monthly Raffle, we will be selling your donated Christmas items and ornaments.
January 11, 2022
Program: Intimate Wild Life Journey Speaker: Scott Logan - Gottlieb Native Garden
Scott Logan is a graphic artist and wildlife photographer with images appearing in books, magazines, and scientific periodicals. Scott is currently the Gottlieb Native Garden’s Naturalist, where he is documenting its wildlife, coordinating University research projects and monitoring the overall health of the garden. He is a collaborator with UC Davis’ Hummingbird Health Conservation Program and is working on his Federal Hummingbird Banding Permit. He is an active wildlife guide, with excursions focusing on bird life. Being born and raised in Los Angeles provided Scott an exceptional insight into its remarkable urban wildlife.
Learn more at https://thegottliebnativegarden.com --beautiful photos and videos and tips on creating your own native garden.
February 8, 2022
Program: Taking the Mystique out of Flower Arranging
Speaker: Presentation by Nancy Curtis, Flower Show Judge and Floral Designer
You just brought home a lovely Bunch of flowers from the Super Market. What happens next?
Nancy Curtis, flower show Judge and floral designer will be guiding us through the process of how to make those posies look their best!
She will talk about selecting plant material, appropriate containers and conditioning your flowers to make them last longer. Nancy will also go over the Elements and Principles of Design and explain how they apply to floral arranging.
Lastly she will demonstrate how to create a simple line design as well as a basic mass design.
If you’ve been timid about getting into flower arranging because you didn’t know where to start. Be timid no more. The door to floral design is about to open on February 8.
Bonus: We will be raffling off Nancy’s arrangements to some lucky club member.
March 8, 2022
Program: Birds of Prey
Speaker: Emily Watts, from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center in Carlsbad
The Discovery Center is an extraordinary collection of hands-on exhibits, gardens and live animal ambassadors. Their mission is to inspire people through education and outreach to preserve the Agua Hedionda Lagoon as a 400 acre accessible and healthy watershed, which is home to juvenile fish, crabs, hundreds of species of marine life and waterfowl, including an array of threatened and endangered species. It also provides a much needed respite for migrating birds.
Raptor Ridge was established in 2021, and brings 4 native raptor species to the Discovery Center to provide a new form of concentrated education about these birds of prey. Emily will be bringing some of these beautiful raptors to our March meeting for all of us to enjoy. https://www.aguahedionda.org/
April 12, 2022
Program: Ancient Art of Bonsai
Speaker: Carla Marasco
Our speaker for the April 12th meeting is Carla Marasco with the San Diego Bonsai Club. The club maintains bonsai collections at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Japanese Friendship Gardens. Carla will be giving us information on how to grow, trim, cultivate, styling, soil composition and care for bonsai trees.
April 23, 2022
Flower Show and Plant Sale
“Garden Kaleidoscope - The Exciting World of Color”
Temecula Community Recreation Center
30875 Rancho Vista Road, Temecula
Open to the public 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
For more information, go to the Flower Show page
May 10, 2022
Program: Edible Flowers - A Culinary History
Speaker: Jean T. Weiss
Jean is a long-time UCCE Master Gardener who began studying herbs over thirty years ago and expanded to edible flowers and photography. She is a docent at the UCR Botanic Gardens and has recently helped in upgrading the herb garden. Jean’s presentation will include a history of edible flowers, illustrations of delicious recipes and samples of lavender lemonade. Her recipes will be available free online or with the purchase of her full-color cookbook for $7 in cash or check after the talk. Feel free to photograph anything you’d like during the presentation!
June 14, 2022
Program: Slide Show Presentation
“The Year in Review” created by Bob Boyd
End of Year Buffet Pot Luck Luncheon
Recognition of TVGC Outgoing Officers and Installation of TVGC Incoming Officers
Location Change: TBD
Guests are Welcome
Temecula Valley Garden Club Programs for 2020/2021
September 8, 2020 -
Rob Hicks, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve Park interpreter will speak on how the Santa Rosa Plateau is recovering after the fire.
Updates on the rebuilding, and trails that are open at this time.
Rob was our presenter a year ago. See more below for 2019.
https://www.rivcoparks.org/santa-rosa-plateau-visitor-center
October 13th, 2020 -
The guest speaker is Kevin Alison from the Tree of Life Nursery in San Juan Capistrano.
Kevin is the Native Plant Specialist at the nursery and
holds degrees in Environmental Horticulture, Natural Resource Management
and a Masters in Conservation and Restoration Science.
He is passionate about spreading his knowledge of native plants and gardening.
When he isn’t growing plants for the nursery you can find him gardening at home
with his wife, Clara, and their many dogs.
The Tree of Life website is: https://californianativeplants.com
Pictured below is our group and tour guide at Tree of Life Nursery a few years ago.
There are more pictures taken that day on our Shutterfly page. You need to scroll down a long way.
The album was posted on May 12, 2017, along with several other albums.
November 10, 2020
Program: “Secret Gardens of Balboa Park” Speaker: Lucy Warren
Lucy has been involved in the horticulture community in San Diego for over 30 years.
She is an author, Master Gardener, former editor of California Garden magazine
and is currently on the Board and Horticulture Chair for Friends of Balboa Park.
Lucy will present a virtual tour of Balboa Park gardens.
The tour will begin with some history of the park and its gardens,
proceed to some of the better known gardens in the central mesa area,
and then onto some of the farther reaches of the park to gardens with which few people are familiar.
December 8, 2020
Program: Epiphyllums and Holiday Cactus Speaker: Gretchen Ward
Gretchen Ward recently retired from a 35-year career with the National Park Service
as a program manager, archaeologist, and park ranger.
She is a San Diego native and has been a lifelong gardener.
Gretchen recently graduated from the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE)
Master Gardener program, so is a newly minted San Diego County Master Gardener.
She has also been raising and working with epiphytic plants for most of her life
ever since her mother bought her first epiphyllum hybrids when she was just a kid.
Gretchen is about to assume the office of president of the San Diego Epiphyllum Society
and looks forward to an exciting new year of activities and events with the organization.
Her talk will cover care and growing of epiphytic cacti.
January 12, 2021
Program: Anza Borrego Desert State Park Speaker: Larry Hendrickson, Botanist
The park contains bajadas and desert washes; rock formations and colorful badlands, large arid
landscapes, and mountains. The bajadas are predominantly creosote bush-bur sage with creosote
bush and the palo verde-cactus shrub ecosystems with the palo verde tree, cacti, and ocotillo.
In the washes, Colorado/Sonoran microphylla woodlands can be found. These woodlands include
such plants as smoke tree, velvet mesquite, and catclaw.
The park has natural springs and oases, with the state's only native palm, the California Fan Palm.
Seasonal wildflower displays can be seen in many plant community associations
throughout the park. The high-country to the north and east has closed-cone pine forests,
manzanitas and oak woodlands.
February 9, 2021
Program: Permaculture Speaker: Diane Kennedy
Permaculture is a term encompassing many plant-care practices based on natural patterns. It emphasizes low water use, harvesting rain, using no man-made chemicals, and repurposing and recycling. Diane Kennedy owns Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture in Fallbrook, a food forest through which she and her daughter give educational tours. She is also a permaculture landscape designer, consultant and teacher. Diane will be presenting a PowerPoint presentation on basic permaculture methods which will provide easy practices you can begin doing right away at your home. Diane blogs at http://www.vegetariat.com.
Go to News/Articles page for "Permaculture: What is it?"
~article written by Brie Wypich, who did a follow up interview with Diane Kennedy
March 9, 2021
Program: Japanese Friendship Garden Speaker: Docents Audrey and Bob
Docents Audrey and Bob will lead an informational tour through the gardens located in Balboa Park in San Diego. The tour will include all the wonders and principles that go into creating a traditional Japanese garden. The knowledgeable docents will begin the tour in the lovely upper garden, covering our prized koi pond and manicured plants the gardeners and volunteers spend hours perfecting. Eventually, you will be guided down to our lower garden. This is a magical area plentiful in flowers, waterfalls and more koi. The tour will include the first blossoms as we head into our Cherry Blossom Season. We will finish the tour with a live Q/A, where you will be able to interact and ask Audrey and Bob questions about the garden.
April 13, 2021
Program: Success With Succulents Speaker: Debra Lee Baldwin
Widely known as the “Queen of Succulents,” Debra Lee Baldwin is the award winning garden photojournalist who launched global interest in succulents with the first edition of "Designing with Succulents" (now in its completely revised 2nd ed.). Her other bestsellers are "Succulent Container Gardens" and "Succulents Simplified".
Debra spreads the word about “plants that drink responsibly” via newsletters, articles, photos, videos, social media, public speaking, Zoom presentations, radio, podcasts, and TV. Her YouTube videos have over 6,000,000 views.
Debra delights in sharing news, ideas, tips, and destinations that celebrate gardening and the joy of succulents.
Debra lives and gardens in “the epicenter of all things succulent": San Diego’s North County, home to more succulent specialty nurseries and wholesale growers than anywhere else in the world.
Bonnie DiAngelo suggests viewing the Rojas Succulents Nursery Video tour led by Debra Lee Baldwin (on You Tube):
May 11, 2021
Exciting News! Our May 11th meeting will be a garden tour of members’ gardens--in person!!
June 8, 2021
TVGC Gardener’s Masterpiece Gallery--Virtual Flower Show (via Zoom).
There will be three Divisions in the show. Horticulture, Design, and Botanical Arts.
Members take photos of your best plants. Directions will become available in April for submitting your photos.
Temecula Valley Garden Club Programs for 2019/2020
September 10, 2019:
Program: “The History and Legacy of the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve” Speaker: Rob Hicks.
You will learn all about this 7,500 acre reserve of relatively undisturbed oak woodland, chaparral, and native grassland.
The reserve, located right in our own backyard, off Clinton Keith Road in Murrieta, provides habitat for many native species,
as well as a corridor for movement of deer and mountain lion.
Rob Hicks has been sharing natural and cultural history as an interpreter for nearly 30 years.
As an Interpretive Ranger with the National Park Service, he worked and presented programs
at Redwood, Everglades, and Great Basin National Parks.
Whether hiking through forests, slogging through swamps, or spelunking through caves,
Rob has always enjoyed helping people discover the fascinating and important stories of a place.
https://www.rivcoparks.org/santa-rosa-plateau-visitor-center
Pictured are 3 plants total. Each plant has over 100# of beefsteak size tomatoes.
October 8, 2019:
Program: Dave, the Tomato Guy Speaker: Dave Freed
Dave will teach us how to grow wonderful and bountiful tomatoes next spring using his amazing planters. He will make it easy for even the novice vegetable gardener! Learn how to grow tomatoes easily. Hybrids and heirlooms as well as other garden vegetables. Even if you have never grown a garden or don’t have a green thumb, Dave will show you how. He will discuss how to choose plants, sunshine, soil, watering, self watering containers, temperatures, mulching and much much more.
Website/Blog: http://growtomatoeseasily.blogspot.com/
November 12, 2019:
Program: Techniques for Taking Better Pictures in the Garden Speaker: Clayton Fogle
Clayton Fogle is a regular guest speaker and instructor of workshops all over the U.S. He holds a B.A. and M.Sc. Degree from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California and a Certificate in Digital Multimedia from Technology Development Center. He will share some of his amazing photos and the tips and techniques anyone can use to take excellent pictures. Books etc. may be available for purchase.
We will also have a craft sale at the November meeting this year (instead of in December as we did last year).
December 10, 2019:
Program: Holiday Entertainment and Potluck Luncheon, also Bake Sale
The December holiday program will put everyone in the mood for celebrating.
January 14, 2020:
Program: Olive Cultivation and EVOO Nutrition Speaker: Jenna Fenton
Jenna Fenton is a third year student at Cal Poly Pomona and the recipient of the Temecula Valley Garden Club scholarship for 2019. She grew up helping in her family’s olive grove, the Olive Plantation, since the age of 10 when she helped her father plant 1000 olive trees on the family property. She will share experiences and expertise on olive cultivation along with the nutritional benefits of extra virgin olive oil. She will bring items from the Olive Plantation for purchase.
February 11, 2020:
Program: Composting Speaker: James Rowland
James Rowland from the County of Riverside Waste Resources Department will present information on composting. Members will receive an overview of the composting process, information on how different methods of composting work, and the benefits of each method. Members will also learn what materials can be used for composting so that it is successful and productive.
March 10, 2020:
Program: Spiny Succulents Speaker: Jeff Moore
Jeff has owned and operated Solana Succulents in Solana Beach since 1992. He has written books and given talks on the subject for the past 5 years. He has spent most of his adult life negotiating the landscape of spiny succulents, will take us on a tour of these remarkable plants in cultivation. We will learn about cacti, euphorbias, fourquierias, alluaudias, and a host of other dry climate and often spiny architectural wonders. Jeff’s books along with plants will be available for purchase.
"This book is a follow up yin to the yang of the last book on soft succulents. It covers cacti, euphorbias, pachypodiums, alluaudias, terrestrial bromeliads, and a few other succulent adjacent xerophytes, most but not all spiny. I obviously can’t cover all of each family or genus in one book, but try to show you cultivated examples of the most prominent. Most of the images were taken in California or Arizona, with a few habitat images to introduce the sections. The book its aimed at the new enthusiast, but as always I try to make it visually engaging enough to appeal to the veteran as well, with any cultural tips or observations that I can provide."
April 14, 2020: Cancelled
Program: Growing Edibles in Small Spaces & Containers Speaker: Laura Simpson
Laura Simpson and her husband, Jim are both UCCE Master Gardeners of Riverside County. This family with 5 children knows how to make use of every inch of space for growing! They live in a tract home in French Valley with an 8000 square foot lot and manage to grow 100 varieties of edible plants. Including exotic and rare fruits. Laura will share her best tips for growing food in small spaces. She is also a Master Food Preserver.
May 12, 2020: Cancelled
Program: Edible Flowers - A Culinary History Speaker: Jean T. Weiss
More delicious things from the garden! Jean is a long-time UCCE Master Gardener who began studying herbs over thirty years ago and expanded to edible flowers. Her presentation will include a history of edible flowers, illustrations of delicious recipes, and samples of lavender lemonade for all! Her full-color cookbook will be available for purchase ($9.00 cash or check only).
June 9, 2020:
Program: Recognition of TVGC outgoing officers and Installation of TVGC incoming officers. End of year potluck buffet luncheon.
“ The Year in Review” video presentation created by Bob Boyd.
Temecula Valley Garden Club Programs for 2018/2019
September 11, 2018
Program: Skyhunters Raptor Rehabilitation Center Speaker: Nancy Conney
Nancy Conney has devoted the past 25 years to the care and preservation of raptors who have become ill, injured or orphaned. She spent 10 years with Project Wildlife before forming Skyhunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education in 1996. Skyhunters, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, operates with a volunteer staff and is funded primarily through donations and its Community Outreach programs. www.skyhunters.org
October 9, 2018
Program: The Tree Whisperer Speaker: Gary Walker
Gary Walker, aka, the Tree Whisperer, has been passionately involved with Nature, and in particular trees, all his life. A personal friend and student of Dr. Alex Shigo, the world's preeminent arborist, Gary has been featured in both print and digital media and had his own radio show on trees and gardens. His web site is: www.greentreeworld.com
November 13, 2018
Program: Protea Growers Speaker: Mel Resendiz
In early 1977, Ismael ("Mel") Resendiz and his brothers Porfirio, Raul and Ramon immigrated to California and began their careers in the floral industry. Since much of their background had been in farming in various parts of Mexico, it was natural for the brothers to pursue farming opportunities. Mel took a temporary position working as a farmhand at Zorro Protea Farms in the hills east of Rancho Santa Fe and soon realized his passion for flowers and plants - particularly South African and Australian varieties.
"Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers LLC was etablished in 1999 with a passion for growing exotic flowers and a commitment to providing customers with the highest quality products and service. With decades of farming experience in California's ideal Mediterranean climate, we delight in growing spectacular flowers for customers who demand unique and creative floral options. What began as a business focused on proteas has grown into a "boutique" - type flower farm offering a vast selection of the most distinctive American Grown flowers. In addition to proteas, we now cultivate more than 350 varieties of flowers and foliages, and our selection continues to grow!" resendizbrothers.com
There are links to several videos here: https://resendizbrothers.com/resources/videos/
December 11, 2018
Program: Holiday Entertainment and Potluck Luncheon, also Craft and Bake Sale
January 8, 2019
Program: Curator of Horticulture San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Speaker: Linda Post
Not only is the San Diego Zoo Safari Park one of the top wildlife breeding and conservation facilities in the world, it is also a world-renowned botanical garden. The Safari Park’s horticulture department cares for 1,750,000 plant specimens spanning 1,800 acres. San Diego Zoo Global is working to conserve not only endangered animals, but endangered plants as well.
February 12, 2019
Program: Time to Start Preparing for Our Flower Show
Speaker: Presented by the Flower Show Committee
March 12, 2019
Program: Monarch Butterflies Speaker: Susie Vanderlip
Love Monarch Butterflies? So does Susie Vanderlip, Monarch Butterfly Citizen Scientist! She will share with us “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Monarch Butterflies!”. You will be entertained by her enthusiasm and her beautiful photos, intriguing video and amusing anecdotes about Monarch life cycle AND how to attract them to YOUR garden this spring and summer!
April 9, 2019
Program: Beekeeping Speaker: Chris Cullen
(This is a last minute change. Our scheduled speaker listed below needed to cancel.)
Program: Landscape Designer Speaker: Linda McDonald
This is Linda's plan .... for this property
Linda McDonald has lived in Temecula for over 30 years now, and is a past member of both the TV Garden Club and Temecula Rose Society, now a Landscape Designer after receiving her certificate in Landscape Architecture ten years ago from Mira Costa College. Although somewhat of an expert on drought tolerant plants, her expertise encompasses many types of plants from roses and herbs to edibles and ornamentals. I am “big” on organic gardening, bringing in beneficial insects, planting “butterfly” gardens and believe in gardening WITH nature. Everything Linda will mention is adapted to our climate zone. www.uniquelandscapes.net
May 14, 2019
Program: Fire Resistant Landscaping and Preparedness Speaker: Rebecca Levers
Rebecca Levers - Becky, a UCCE Riverside Master Gardener and California Native Plant Society member will share her knowledge of fire-resistant landscaping and how to keep your home safe during our prolonged fire season here in California. Steps to prepare your family, pets and home for evacuation will also be discussed.
June 11, 2019
Program: Recognition of TVGC outgoing officers and Installation of TVGC incoming officers. End of year buffet luncheon.
“ The Year in Review” video presentation created by Bob Boyd.
2017/18 Year
September 2017
Program: Penny Pines U.S. Forest Service Speaker: Jason Sieg
Where do our Penny Pines donations go? U.S. Forest Service Agent will present information on this worthy cause.
Our club members continue to generously support the Penny Pines Reforestation Program to maintain existing tree stands and improve wildlife habitat or replant burned or otherwise damaged forests in the Cleveland National Forest and other areas. This is done through monthly donations and gifts to honor special people and in memory of loved ones. We have received awards from CGCI for our generous donations and the number of plantations purchased in a calendar year.
Plantations are important for watershed protection, soil stabilization, shade for recreation areas, and scenic beauty. For more details, go to http://californiagardenclubs.com/pennypines
U.S. Forest Service: www.fs.fed.us
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October 10, 2017
Program: Specialty Coffee: A New Crop for Temecula Valley Speaker: Linda Mullins
Linda Mullins is the owner of the first Temecula Coffee Farm. They planted 800 coffee plants in October 2015 and hope to have their first crop of beans in the summer of 2018. Linda will tell their journey to that first cup of coffee.
November 2017
Program: Pacific Crest Trail
Speaker: Al O’Neal
Al O’Neal will present commentary and photos of his 2,658 mile route through some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of the American West along the Pacific Crest Trail. Al’s journey was featured in the Korean Documentary, “Journey on Foot.”
December 2017
Program: Holiday Entertainment and Luncheon
Member Pot Luck Luncheon and a celebration of the holiday spirit.
January 2018
Program: Temecula Berry Company
Speaker: Farmer Mike Graesser
Mike is the son of Ray and Kathy Graesser, who began farming here in Temecula in 1977. Ray and Kathy planted a 30 acre avocado grove on the west side of town and then started the blueberry farm in the late 1990’s. Mike will present the Berry Company’s journey to success. www.temeculaberryco.com/
February 2018
Program: Flower Show
Speaker: Susan Puma, Chairman
Susan Puma will provide information on entering items into our flower show and the Flower Show and Plant Sale schedule.
March 2018
Program: Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Speaker: Ann Platzer
Ann is a Riverside County Master Gardener and will present a checklist of how to create a wildlife habitat in your own backyard.
April 2018
Program: Keys Creek Lavender Farm
Speaker: Tristan
Tristan will provide a presentation on the Keys Creek Lavender Farm. www.kclfarm.com
May 2018
Program: Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farms, Inc.
Speaker: David Barnes
David Barnes is a General Manager at Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farms, Inc. he will provide insight on how mushrooms are grown for commercial production.
June 2018
Program: Recognition of TVGC outgoing officers and Installation of TVGC incoming officers. End of year buffet luncheon.
2016/17 Year
September 2016 Program: Certified Earth Friendly Garden Speaker: Dawn Standke
Dawn Standke, a Master Gardener from San Diego Speakers Bureau, will present the checklist needed to have your garden Certified as Earth Friendly. She will provide the checklist and if you meet the criteria, she can certify your garden. She will sell signs you may put in your yard to let the community know you are certified. www.mastergardenerssandiego.org
October 2016 Program: Butterfly Habitats Speaker: Pat Flannagan
Pat Flannagan from Butterfly Farms in Vista, California, will provide information on butterflies and their habitats.
November 2016 Program: Plants for Soap
Speaker: Jeremy Pearson
Jeremy Pearson, owner of The Land of Milk and Honey, will provide information on growing plants and keeping bees to make soap products he sells at the area Farmer’s Markets. He will be selling some of his creams and soaps before and after the meeting. www.thelandofmilkandhoneysoap.com
December 2016 Program: Holiday Entertainment and Luncheon
Children's Choir and Member Pot Luck Luncheon and a celebration of the holiday spirit.
January 2017 Program: Backyard Barn Owls
Speaker: Bert Kersey
Bert and Sharon Kersey from Backyard Barn Owls will provide information on owls and their habitat. They will bring an owl nesting box and a video to sell before and after the meeting. Barnowls.com
February 2017 Program: Flower Show Chairman
Speaker: Debra Jones
Debra Jones will provide information on entering items into our flower show and the Flower Show and Plant Sale schedule.
March 2017 Program: Grapes, Vines, Drought, and the Ecosystem
Speaker: Greg Pennyroyal, Wilson Creek Winery
Greg will provide information on growing grapes during drought, pests affecting vines and the ecosystem created.
April 2017 Program: Pumice Products for Soil
Speaker: Lexi Petelski
Lexi Petelski, Co-Owner of General Pumice Products, will talk about pumice and how it improves growability of soils, saves water, acts as an aeration system, retains moisture and holds nutrients at the root zone of plants. Their products are available for purchase online at generalpumiceproducts.com
May 2017 Program: Growing and Using Lavender
Speaker: Jack and Carrie Bauer
Jack and Carrie from Sycamore Lavender Farm will provide information on how to grow and use lavender in the Temecula Valley. www.facebook.com/sslavenderfarm
June 2017 Program: Recognition of TVGC outgoing officers and Installation of TVGC incoming officers. End of year buffet luncheon.
2015/16 Year
September 8, 2015 Jacob's House, a Home Away from Home -Linda Mejia Jacob's House is an independent hospital hospitality house in Temecula that provides temporary housing for family members who live outside the community and who have a loved one hospitalized nearby, suffering a traumatic medical life event or crisis. Linda will share her own and other stories that ultimately inspired her commitment to this valuable community resource. Our club has committed to providing assistance for development of the water-wise garden project at Jacob's House.
October 13, 2015 Under the Spell of Succulents -Jeff Moore Looking to save water? Hoping to create beauty? Wanting ease of cultivation? Look no more…the incredible world of succulents is about to be presented to you. Jeff Moore, owner of Solana Succulents and author of "Under the Spell of Succulents", will take you on a journey, sharing his love and knowledge of these diverse and fascinating plants. Jeff will have his book available to sell and sign for you as well as plants from his Solana Beach nursery.
November 10, 2015 Soil - It's a Living Organism -Gisele Schoniger So many of our yards here in Temecula Valley have been scraped, compressed and otherwise compromised. Gisele Schoniger, Organic Gardening educator for Kellogg's Garden Products, will speak on how the use of compost and organic matter and mulching will help to maximize and conserve water use along with a wealth of other very practical ways to improve on our gardening practices to bring our soil back to life! She will also bring various samples for us to try in our own gardens.
December 8, 2015 Holiday Entertainment and Luncheon Pot Luck Luncheon and a celebration of the holiday spirit
January 12, 2016 Table Settings and Flower Arrangements 101 -Debra Jones Debra, our Flower Show Chairwoman, will present basics of design. We all committed to participation in our flower show when we voted to have one this year. Debra will take away the hesitation we sometimes feel when we attempt something new and help us channel our talents into beautiful entries for our gift to the community.
February 9, 2016 Herbs - a Culinary Adventure -Jean Weiss Herbs may have ancient roots but they are not a thing of the past. As more people travel the world, enjoy ethnic and regional foods and watch TV cooking shows, a huge resurgence of interest in diverse culinary herbs has occurred. Jean Weiss, reference librarian for the University of California at Riverside, a long time volunteer at UCR Botanic Gardens and lifetime Master Gardener, will share her knowledge and love of the beauty and power of herbs.
March 8, 2016 Cacti and Succulents - Staging for Success -Debra Jones and Linda Powell Debra Jones will share some tips to help you prepare your plants for the upcoming April Flower Show. Attractive containers, proper grooming, and healthy plants all contribute to a winning combination. Linda Powell will show some of the interesting tools of the trade to groom and present to the best advantage.
April 12, 2016 Fairy Gardens - a Little World of Enchantment -Vanessa Andrade Magic toadstools... Pixie dust... Elves and Fairies hiding in the woodland glen... Such is the enchanted world of Fairy Gardens. Vanessa Andrade, owner of Garden Moonlight, will help you create your own special, secret garden filled with magic! Let your imagination run wild!!!
May 10, 2016 Create a Butterfly Friendly Container Garden -Susan Cline Plants can serve multiple purposes in your garden. They can give us beauty as well as provide a home and nourishment to birds, bees and butterflies… and many are water efficient as well!!! TVGC member Susan Cline is a UCCE Master Gardener with a special interest in butterfly friendly landscapes. She will create a container garden that not only is butterfly friendly, but will explain the basics of host and nectar plants. Also on this day will the presentation of our annual scholarship to a deserving student.
June 14, 2016 Recognition of TVGC outgoing officers and installation of TVGC incoming officers, as well as the End-of-year luncheon buffet