The Santa Monica Community Gardens will present three educational workshops in August focusing on pollinator-friendly gardening, tomato competitions and small-space growing techniques.
The series begins Saturday, Aug. 9, with a pollinator gardening workshop from 3 to 4:15 p.m. at Montana Branch Library, 1704 Montana Avenue. Volunteers will discuss attracting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies to gardens, followed by hands-on activities with California Climate Action Corps Fellows.
Fellows will cover species selection, planting and maintenance of native plants. The workshop aims to increase pollinator habitat throughout Santa Monica as part of an "Emerald Necklace" connecting communities.
The annual "Best Tomato in Santa Monica" competition takes place Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Ishihara Park Learning Garden, 2909 Exposition Blvd. Participants can enter homegrown tomatoes including Big Rainbow, Cherokee Purple and Better Boy varieties. All entries must be registered by 9:30 a.m.
Non-participants can view various tomato types, examine Moon and Stars varieties, measure themselves against glass gem corn and see trombetta squash. A new mural on the garden shed will be unveiled. Garden pancakes will be served at 9 a.m.
The series concludes Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. with a small space gardening workshop at Marine Park Community Garden, 1406 Marine Street. UC Master Gardener Renee Szostak will lead the session on urban gardening techniques for patios, balconies and small yard spaces.
The workshop will cover container gardening, raised beds and vertical growing methods. Szostak will conduct a DIY activity and participants can tour the garden to see current plantings.
The garden opens at 9 a.m. for coffee and refreshments. The workshop begins at 10 a.m. Seating is limited and attendees should bring chairs or blankets. The garden is located between the tennis courts and homes on the western side of the park, next to the tennis court closest to the alley.
The workshops represent a partnership between Santa Monica Public Library, Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and California Climate Action Corps.
Find more information at https://www.santamonica.gov/events
Edited by SMDP Staff