Secrets for a Sustainable Life

Healthy Lifestyle Classes Offered at Fullerton Arboretum

March 16, 2010

This spring, the Fullerton Arboretum promises to reveal the "secrets of a sustainable life" in a series of classes on healthy lifestyles.

Mediterranean Splendor: Bringing Gardening Home

Saturday, April 24 1-2:30 p.m. $15 per person for Fullerton residents and $30-$35 for others.

Taught by Fullerton Arboretum's collections curator Chris Barnhill, the class explores a potpourri of plants adaptable to the Mediterranean climate that you can use to design your own low-labor garden. Barnhill provides a guided design tour through the Arboretum’s Mediterranean and Channel Islands Gardens. The class includes a plant list, details on plant needs and growth patterns, and instruction on pairing appropriate plants. Participants are encouraged to note basic details, such as size, slope, shady and sunny spots, about their yards.

Low Water Gardening Basics

Saturday, May 15 1:30-4:30 p.m. Free to Yorba Linda Water District customers

Instructor Steve Gerischer, an award-winning landscape designer, teacher, and president of the Southern California Horticulture Society, will teach about designing a landscape that uses little water and resources while providing a habitat for local wildlife — birds, butterflies and insects.

Home Composting

Saturday, June 5 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free to residents of Fullerton, Brea, Santa Ana, Orange, Irvine and Buena Park.

This award-winning class teaches students how to turn yard clippings and food scraps into a valuable resource. Fullerton Arboretum has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its GreenScapes activities, including its commitment to providing outstanding composting classes. The instructors are Bill Roley, president of Applied Ecological Systems, and Patrick McNelly, principal staff analyst for the Orange County Sanitation District. Both have won the H. Clark Gregory Award for Outstanding Grassroots Efforts to Promote Composting.

Birds and Butterflies: Gardens that Attract Wildlife

Saturday, June 12 9:30-11 a.m. $15 per person for Fullerton residents and $30-$35 for others.

Taught by Arboretum biologist Greg Pongetti, this class shows how to create a beautiful, harmonious, eco-friendly habitat in your yard. Pongetti will lead a guided instructional tour of the low-water sections of the Arboretum, focusing on local plant/animal relationships. The class includes a plant list, details on plant needs, growth patterns and plant use in landscaping.

For more information, call 657-278-3407.