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green guide> gardening, recycling and nursery centers
a little green thumb goes along way. learn about composting, perennials, annuals and drought-tolerant gardens from these local nurseries and special events.
garden and green events:
VISIT: Morcom Rose Gardens 700 Jean Street (between Grand & Sunnyslope Avenues), Oakland, CA
VISIT: University of California Botanical Garden, Free docent tours on Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 1:30p; open daily 9 am - 5pm. 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA
EVENT: Beautiful Garden with Waterwise Plants Tour: UC Botanical Garden (see above for location). Third Thursday of every month at 1:30 pm and Sept 23-24, 1:30pm.
EVENT: SICK PLANT CLINIC: UC Botanical Garden (see above for location). First Saturday of every month 9 AM - 12 pm.
garden centers and local nurseries:
broadway terrace nursery: Upper Rockridge/Broadway Terrace
a gorgeous little nursery jam-packed with a beautifully orchestrated selection of healthy plants. fun to just stroll through the aisles pondering color combinations, annuals and proven winners. great gift ideas.
favs: seasonal color displays for planting ideas, unique annuals, gorgeous shade selections and perennial grasses. right next door to the village market, cafe and gift store!
4340 Clarewood Drive, Oakland, (510) 658-3729
thornhill nursery: Montclair
a large backyard garden oasis tucked away in the oakland hills off thornhill drive in montclair. huge selection of shrubs and small trees, along with a constantly changing supply of perennials.
favs: friendly staff, garden forest ambiance and large selection.
6250 thornhill drive, oakland, (510) 339-1311
berkeley horticulture: North Berkeley
worth the drive to north berkeley, this well-stacked nursery offers a diverse variety of native and seasonal plants, aisles of annuals, huge shade garden selection, and dry garden ideas.
favs: rhodendron collection, vines, marked horticulture gardens, professional staff.
1310 Mcgee ave, berkeley, ca. (510) 526-4704
Longs Drugs (yes!): Rockridge
a surprisingly large selection of annuals and smaller perennials out front and a side garden center loaded with great perennials at great prices.
favs: herbs, annie's annuals, dry garden perennials, indoor plants, grasses + dirt. open 24-hours for the nocturnal gardener.
5100 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 654-3460
recycling, composting classes and info:
Bay Friendly Gardening — Composting workshops (free), videos, information and discounted bins for Alameda County residents. 510-444-SOIL (444-7645), www.bayfriendly.org.
Oakland Green Building Center: visit this resource center for ways of incorporating green building tips to your remodel or new construction project.
Oakland Recycles: www.zerowasteoakland.com/Page300.aspx
Stopwaste.org: visit Alameda County Waste Management Authority for info on recycling, composting and climate change.