September 11 -- Garden of Melinda Forbes -- Garden Farms, 17100 Walnut, Atascadero

Melinda Forbes has a B.S. in Crops Science, MS International Agriculture, spent 2 years in Costa Rica involved in Small Farmer Cropping Systems Research, and over 30 years teaching experience in gardening, herbal studies, cooking, and art classes. She is a lifelong gardener, lived on 1.5 acres of land since the mid 1980s and her garden was included in the San Luis Obispo Botanical Society's annual garden tour fundraiser, focusing on North County gardens. She will have fruits, ground fruits (including heirloom tomatoes), vegetables, and flowers for us to see. She is proposing that we have food sharing and book information sharing activities. Her water is limited so we will likely have a port-a-potty available. This is a meeting you won't want to miss!

Additional Information on the September meeting!

Garden Farms has a gardening tradition that has carried on since EG Lewis designated it as a food production area for the 'idealistic city' of Atascadero in the early 1900's. The area still produces fruits, berries, veggies, herbs, flowers, eggs, goat's milk and cheese...
Glenn and Melinda's garden is diverse, eclectic, and productive. Come wander through the organic garden that has been designed (and designed itself) for arid conditions and stability during the hot days and cold nights of summer and the very cold nights of winter in the north county. The garden has been influenced by Melinda's experience living and working in Central America, where many plants in the landscape are edible. She has included some weird varieties of 'ground fruits' while working from the permaculture principles that diversity supports stability. We will taste whatever is available for tasting and drink herbal tea from the garden.

Please bring gardening and related books for a book swap.

 Directions:

The Garden Farms community is located 2 miles north of Santa Margarita off El Camino Real, between SM and Atascadero.

From SLO take the 101 to the Santa Margarita Exit. You are on El Camino Real. Drive for 2 miles, through the town of SM and beyond. There is a pumping station on the right side of the road and, just a bit further, you will see a street sign on the left side of the road. That is Linden. Turn left (your only option) on to Linden. Follow the road to Walnut. Turn right on Walnut. Keep going down the long block to 17100 Walnut. Pinkish house, white picket fence, painted mailbox, GREAT BIG walnut tree out front, on the left side of the road.
 

From north 101 take the Santa Barbra exit, the last exit into south Atascadero. Turn left at the stop and drive over the freeway. Follow that road until you hit El Camino Real. Turn right on El Camino. You will cross over a little bridge and, soon after, you will see Walnut Ave on your right. You may turn there if you like. We call it the Scenic Route through Garden Farms. It's bit of a drive but will get you there. Or keep driving on El Camino until you see a street sign for Pine. turn right on Pine. Follow Pine to Walnut. Turn left, go over a little bridge, see the church on the left. Three houses from the corner on the right side of the street - 17100 Walnut.
 
You may park on the street or in the church parking lot. It sounds tricky getting here but it isn't. Call if you get lost: 438-5077.

Refreshments will be provided by the A-G team.

October 11 TBD