Gardeners gather to hear from the experts

More than 100 participants spent the day hearing from the experts during A Gardener's Gathering March 1 at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed in Loomis.Among the speakers were Marcia Braga, Sierra College Environmental Horticulture chairwoman, and Chet Blackburn, past president of the Redbud Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, who discussed how to choose, plant and grow native plants.Patrick Rodysill, owner of Garden Fare, covered sustainable gardening and composting. Ed Lavio from Dave Wilson Nursery talked about growing fruit trees in the back yard. Garden writer Pat Rubin showed slides of plants that provide color in the the winter garden. Arborist Ken Menzer shared how to improved the health, structure and long-term survivability of native oaks.Attendees received free potted daffodils and goodie bags filled with literature, organic fertilizer samples and packets of flower seeds.I was delighted with the quality of the speakers and the food, Auburn Garden Club member Candace Embry said. And I love the location.