Anagyris foetida
from De Materia Medica
by Pedanius Dioscorides open new window icon

 

speaking to garden groups . . .

 

Since the year 2000, my efforts in sharing information about climate appropriate horticulture in mediterranean climates has also included speaking to horticultural groups. This has provided me many opportunities to meet and talk with other gardens throughout California and learn from their perspectives and challenges, incorporating new approaches and ideas into my message inresponse to that feedback.
      My main talk, shown below, is generally well received and I am still asked to give it routinely. I have other talks I am working on and have customized presentations for a specific purpose/audience. If you'd like me present to your group, contact me here.


Our Mediterranean Climate:
      what is it and why should we care?
Bay Area Satellite image World Map of mediterranean climates cool moist winter warm dry summer A garden on Mt Pendeli, by Terry Moyemont
Olive Grove - Saint-Remy, by Vincent Van Gogh gray foliage is an adaptation mediterranean climate rain/temperature table comparison of different MC regions Generalife reflecting pool
adaptation: mounding growth pattern Santa Barbara Garden, by Colin Campbell Cooper The 'drought deciduous' CA Buckeye The garden of Cali Doxiadis, in Corfu Highland Residence garden, by Joel Michaelsen
      California comprises one of the 5 mediterranean climates of the world, from the Sierra foothills west, and excluding the desert regions of the south. In this talk, I discuss what this classification means to gardeners and present some historic approaches to gardening/living in this desireable climate. Plant adaptations are also covered to assist gardeners in their consideration of material for planting. This general overview of a wide variety of information is designed to encourage gardeners to re-think their approaches and embrace ideas that have been demostrated to be successful in other mediterranean climates.
      A handout is provided which includes a complete slide list, a recommended reading list, a map of the world's mediterranean climates, and a rainfall/temperature table demonstrating the climatic effect.




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