Programs
Membership Meetings at the Santa Rosa Garden Club generally meet on the fourth Monday of each month from September to May. Programs cover a range of subjects including gardening, floral design, civic beautification, environmental responsibility
and the exchange of information and ideas.
and the exchange of information and ideas.
- Non-members are welcome as guests.
- Meetings are held at the Luther Burbank Art & Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa, California.
- The general meeting begins at 1:00 pm. Arrive by 12:30 to mix and mingle.
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September 28, 2026- A Deeper Look at Japanese Gardens
Presented by: Steven Pitsenbarger, Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco
Come take a deeper dive into what Japanese Gardens are, what makes them move us, and why
they are more essential than ever.
Steven Pitsenbarger is the Garden Supervisor at the iconic Japanese Tea Garden in San
Francisco's Golden Gate Park where he has worked since 2007. Steven has contributed to the Journal of the North American Japanese Garden Association, Sukiya Living magazine, Pacific Horticulture, and others. He believes Japanese gardens are contemplative spaces where nature and human intention work in harmony — a philosophy that shapes his work.
Presented by: Steven Pitsenbarger, Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco
Come take a deeper dive into what Japanese Gardens are, what makes them move us, and why
they are more essential than ever.
Steven Pitsenbarger is the Garden Supervisor at the iconic Japanese Tea Garden in San
Francisco's Golden Gate Park where he has worked since 2007. Steven has contributed to the Journal of the North American Japanese Garden Association, Sukiya Living magazine, Pacific Horticulture, and others. He believes Japanese gardens are contemplative spaces where nature and human intention work in harmony — a philosophy that shapes his work.
October 26, 2026 - Sustainable Landscaping in the Defensible Space Zone
Presented by: Jennifer Roberts, Community Education Specialist
Learn how to create and maintain a fire-wise, sustainable garden that supports biodiversity while meeting County code requirements. We can help you with plant selection, placement, and maintenance, to preserve and even enhance wildlife habitat, while keeping your property and neighborhood fire-wise and sustainable. Recommendations for fire-wise landscaping in the 0-5’, 5-30’, and 30-100’ defensible space zones, with specific plant and design suggestions.
Jennifer Roberts is an Environmental Educator, Landscape Designer, and speaker specializing in California native plants, composting, and fire-resilient landscaping. With degrees in Environmental Studies and Horticulture, and certifications as a UC Master Gardener, Master Composter, California Naturalist, and Permaculture Designer, she brings both expertise and
passion to her work. Through her work with Pollinate Collective Landscape Design, the Habitat Corridor Project, and the Resilient Landscapes Coalition, Jennifer helps her community in Sonoma County restore biodiversity, conserve water, and create vibrant, sustainable landscapes that thrive in a changing climate.
November 23, 2026 - What the Heck is Regenerative Ag Really?
Presented by: Amy & Jim Crawford, Owners Heritage Farm Florals
Lots of fancy names (Regen Ag, Organic, Sustainable), but in the real world, what does that mean for me and my garden? Why should I care? A peek into the journey with our "Proof of Concept" Farm.
Presented by: Amy & Jim Crawford, Owners Heritage Farm Florals
Lots of fancy names (Regen Ag, Organic, Sustainable), but in the real world, what does that mean for me and my garden? Why should I care? A peek into the journey with our "Proof of Concept" Farm.
December 15, 2026 - Make a Vertical Arrangement for the Holidays
Santa Rosa Floral Arrangers Guild
**Members Only**
Wonderful members from the Floral Arrangers Guild will show us the beauty and magic of a vertical design for our holiday table. Flowers and foliage will be provided as well as a container and a bit of floral foam. If you like, please bring some festive foliage for yourself and more to share. Bring decorations for your creation too. Prepare to have a great time.
RSVPs will be required to enable proper setup and sufficient flowers and foliage. Bring your clippers, gloves, and creativity to share.
Santa Rosa Floral Arrangers Guild
**Members Only**
Wonderful members from the Floral Arrangers Guild will show us the beauty and magic of a vertical design for our holiday table. Flowers and foliage will be provided as well as a container and a bit of floral foam. If you like, please bring some festive foliage for yourself and more to share. Bring decorations for your creation too. Prepare to have a great time.
RSVPs will be required to enable proper setup and sufficient flowers and foliage. Bring your clippers, gloves, and creativity to share.
January 25, 2027 - La Milpa, Biodiverse Farming Systems
Presented by: Jonathan Bravo, LandPaths Education and Community Builder
This year’s theme at Bayer Farm’s garden is La Milpa. A Nahuatl term describing a traditional, biodiverse farming system, it is used as a metaphor for community: many distinct elements growing together to create something stronger than anyone could alone. Through this work, Jonathan hopes not only to teach people how to grow healthy, sustainable food but also to
inspire them to cultivate their own gardens and strengthen the communities around them.
Jonathan Bravo joined LandPaths in 2010 as the Community Garden Coordinator at Bayer Farm. Since then, both the gardens and the community they support have flourished. What began with six families cultivating adopted garden plots has grown into a vibrant community of 124 families representing 16 different ethnicities (Bayer Farm and Jeff's Garden together), all
growing fresh food while cultivating relationships with one another. Now serving as the Senior Bilingual Garden Specialist, Jonathan is quick to recognize that the gardens thrive because of the dedication of participants, volunteers, LandPaths staff, and, especially, the many community partners who have helped sustain and strengthen the program over the years. Bayer Farm’s gardens serve as both teaching gardens for local schools and community gathering spaces where educational programming is offered throughout the year.
Presented by: Jonathan Bravo, LandPaths Education and Community Builder
This year’s theme at Bayer Farm’s garden is La Milpa. A Nahuatl term describing a traditional, biodiverse farming system, it is used as a metaphor for community: many distinct elements growing together to create something stronger than anyone could alone. Through this work, Jonathan hopes not only to teach people how to grow healthy, sustainable food but also to
inspire them to cultivate their own gardens and strengthen the communities around them.
Jonathan Bravo joined LandPaths in 2010 as the Community Garden Coordinator at Bayer Farm. Since then, both the gardens and the community they support have flourished. What began with six families cultivating adopted garden plots has grown into a vibrant community of 124 families representing 16 different ethnicities (Bayer Farm and Jeff's Garden together), all
growing fresh food while cultivating relationships with one another. Now serving as the Senior Bilingual Garden Specialist, Jonathan is quick to recognize that the gardens thrive because of the dedication of participants, volunteers, LandPaths staff, and, especially, the many community partners who have helped sustain and strengthen the program over the years. Bayer Farm’s gardens serve as both teaching gardens for local schools and community gathering spaces where educational programming is offered throughout the year.
February 22, 2027 - The Flower Side of Herbs
Presented by: Rose Loveall-Sale, Owner
Many of our favorite herbs are excellent nectar and pollen sources if we allow them to flower. Learn which herbs are the best host plants for different pollinators, and find out some great uses for herbal flowers for humans as well. Stop pinching all those herb flowers, thinking you are helping your herbs, and instead stop and smell – and maybe eat, the flowers, and find out why all the bees and butterflies are attracted to them! This talk will discuss some of our tried and true herbs and introduce some fun and unusual herbs to add to your garden this year.
Rose Loveall-Sale is owner of Morningsun Herb Farm, a family-owned nursery specializing in culinary, medicinal and specialty herbs. She has spent the last 30 years growing more than 700 varieties of herbs and perennials, starting the nursery as a weekend venture and expanding it to a plant lover’s destination, as well as a mail order nursery. Rose is originally a forester by education (University of California, Berkeley), but discovered that herbs were her favorite plants to grow and enjoy. An M.S. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of California at Davis rounded out her education and piqued her interest in owning and operating her own nursery. Her family’s farm in northern California proved the perfect spot for her horticultural endeavors.
Morningsun Herb Farm sits on 3 acres of farmland, surrounded by low rolling hillsides and anchored by walnut trees originally planted by Rose’s grandfather in 1956. It’s Rose’s happy place, and customers agree that the farm is a magical place to relax, share with children and bring a lunch. Wildlife is everywhere at the farm, along with Rose’s other passion, her collection of rescue animals. Even folks who don’t garden come to the nursery to relax and pet the mini donkeys.
Presented by: Rose Loveall-Sale, Owner
Many of our favorite herbs are excellent nectar and pollen sources if we allow them to flower. Learn which herbs are the best host plants for different pollinators, and find out some great uses for herbal flowers for humans as well. Stop pinching all those herb flowers, thinking you are helping your herbs, and instead stop and smell – and maybe eat, the flowers, and find out why all the bees and butterflies are attracted to them! This talk will discuss some of our tried and true herbs and introduce some fun and unusual herbs to add to your garden this year.
Rose Loveall-Sale is owner of Morningsun Herb Farm, a family-owned nursery specializing in culinary, medicinal and specialty herbs. She has spent the last 30 years growing more than 700 varieties of herbs and perennials, starting the nursery as a weekend venture and expanding it to a plant lover’s destination, as well as a mail order nursery. Rose is originally a forester by education (University of California, Berkeley), but discovered that herbs were her favorite plants to grow and enjoy. An M.S. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of California at Davis rounded out her education and piqued her interest in owning and operating her own nursery. Her family’s farm in northern California proved the perfect spot for her horticultural endeavors.
Morningsun Herb Farm sits on 3 acres of farmland, surrounded by low rolling hillsides and anchored by walnut trees originally planted by Rose’s grandfather in 1956. It’s Rose’s happy place, and customers agree that the farm is a magical place to relax, share with children and bring a lunch. Wildlife is everywhere at the farm, along with Rose’s other passion, her collection of rescue animals. Even folks who don’t garden come to the nursery to relax and pet the mini donkeys.
March 22, 2027 - The Laguna de Santa Rosa: A Remarkable Local Watershed
Presented by: Christine Fontaine, Education Director
Join Christine Fontaine for an introduction to the Laguna de Santa Rosa — a 22-mile wetland system and the largest tributary to the Russian River. This presentation will explore the ecology, history, and unique character of the Laguna, including the native plants, habitats, and wildlife that make this watershed such a special place. Christine will also share how the Laguna de
Santa Rosa Foundation works to protect and restore this living watershed through conservation science, environmental education, habitat restoration, and community engagement.
Presented by: Christine Fontaine, Education Director
Join Christine Fontaine for an introduction to the Laguna de Santa Rosa — a 22-mile wetland system and the largest tributary to the Russian River. This presentation will explore the ecology, history, and unique character of the Laguna, including the native plants, habitats, and wildlife that make this watershed such a special place. Christine will also share how the Laguna de
Santa Rosa Foundation works to protect and restore this living watershed through conservation science, environmental education, habitat restoration, and community engagement.
April 26, 2027 - The Buzz on Bloom: A Pollinator's Perspective (Native Plants and Some of their Favorite Pollinators)
Presented by: Suzanne Clark, Master Gardener
What is pollination? How does pollination happen? What does it take to have a healthy pollinator garden? Why are native plants so important to our native pollinators? Which native plants are favorite to pollinators? Suzanne will share some of the secrets to creating a beautiful, healthy and colorful native plant garden that pollinators and human beings will enjoy all year long.
Presented by: Suzanne Clark, Master Gardener
What is pollination? How does pollination happen? What does it take to have a healthy pollinator garden? Why are native plants so important to our native pollinators? Which native plants are favorite to pollinators? Suzanne will share some of the secrets to creating a beautiful, healthy and colorful native plant garden that pollinators and human beings will enjoy all year long.
May 24, 2027 - Potluck Luncheon & Installation Of Officers
The last meeting of the year is a potluck luncheon with the installation of officers for the upcoming year. It will be a time to eat and visit with friends prior to the summer break. Former SRGC Presidents will also be honored and special awards given.
The last meeting of the year is a potluck luncheon with the installation of officers for the upcoming year. It will be a time to eat and visit with friends prior to the summer break. Former SRGC Presidents will also be honored and special awards given.