Green thumbs go greener: L.A. Garden Show <br> this weekend offers conservation tips

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Concerns about sustainability and water conservation are shaping the annual L.A. Garden Show at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. How can you reduce your carbon footprint and water bill while maintaining a healthy garden? The Arboretum has gathered an impressive roster of horticulturists, educators and landscape designers who will offer solutions at the three-day event:

Friday’s ‘Garden Chats’ will include landscape designer Nancy Goslee Power; plantsman Gary Jones of Armstrong Garden Center; educator Steve Gerischer, who will discuss ‘Easy Ways to Keep Your Garden ‘Green’ ’; organic garden educator Gisele Schoniger; and landscape architect Bob Perry.

Saturday lectures feature tomato guru Steve Goto (‘Grow the Perfect Tomato’), Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia Growers, arborist Darren Butler, Arboretum permaculturist Caitlin Bergman and garden designer Laura Morton.

Sunday’s lineup includes sustainable landscape designer Jill Morganelli, who will discuss drought-tolerant gardening; John Lyons on summer vegetable gardening; horticulturist Lili Singer on native trees for urban gardens; vermiculturist (worm breeder) Lara Laskay; and Reginald Durant, director of restoration at Back to Natives.

The popular temporary garden installations will return this year, as will the marketplace for California native plants, edibles and garden accessories. There also will be garden tours and hands-on activities for kids such as seed balling and worm composting.

The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for kids. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with early admission at 8 a.m. for members. For further information and a complete list of events, call (626) 821-3233 or go to www.lagardenshow.com.

-- Lisa Boone

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Photo credits: Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden