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Press Clips / Articles / News
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Go to www.maagc.org or call 892-0594. |
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MercuryNews.com Stop by Bay Area's best homes, gardens Saturday, April 26, 2008 It's easy to see why home and garden tours proliferate in the Bay Area: We have a remarkable number of creative designers, homeowners and historic-preservation buffs who like to show off what they've accomplished. The calendar for May is packed with tours that offer opportunities to see amazing landscapes and wonderful homes, from modest bungalows to show-stopping mansions. So grab your notebook and camera and slip on your most comfortable shoes. Here are details on upcoming tours. MercuryNews.com |
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MyMotherLode.com Master Gardener: Natives for Spring Planting Friday, April 11, 2008 Sponsored by the UCCE Tuolumne County Master Gardeners, the workshop will provide a full day of information sessions devoted to gardening practices that are better-adapted to the Sierra Nevada foothills. Designing your garden using California natives is one of these practices that will be addressed by the keynote speaker, Alrie Middlebrook, and others. To register for the $20 workshop - which includes lunch, beverages, snacks, seven speakers, and an information packet - call the UCCE office at 533-5695 or register on-line at cetuolumne.ucdavis.edu Gardens will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; the $20 fee includes both days. MyMotherLode.com |
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Los Angeles Times Home & Garden April 10, 2008 Garden tour by Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants The fifth annual garden tour organized by the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants provides a chance to explore nearly 40 private L.A.-area landscapes composed of at least 50% native plants. Gardens will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; the $20 fee includes both days. Information: (818) 768-1802, www.theodorepayne.org. Los Angeles Times |
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MercuryNews.com A la carte: Class to teach cooking with native plants Saturday, April 19 Lucie Stern Community Center at 1305 Middlefield Rd # 1, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Talk about eating locally. How about crab cakes with rose hips and nettle? Or a miner's lettuce and wild chicory salad with a vinaigrette of lemon juice and agave nectar? It's hard to find ingredients more local than the California native plants that will be the focus of a new series of cooking classes that begin Saturday, April 19, at Palo Alto Art Center. MercuryNews.com |
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Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Meet the Designer: Alrie Middlebrook, of Middlebrook Gardens Saturday, May 3, 2008; 10:00 – 3:00 Palo Alto gardens Fee: $30. This tour will be lead by Alrie Middlebrook, of Middlebrook Gardens, who designed and oversaw the installation of the gardens. All of the gardens are within one block of each other. www.bringingbackthenatives.net/selecttour.html - Select Tour #6 |
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North Coast Journal - Arcata,CA,USA Designing with Natives How to put your Humboldt garden back in ... On Wednesday, March 12, native plant designer Alrie Middlebrook will give a talk on designing native gardens. She runs a native plant design business in San Jose called Middlebrook Gardens, and she's the founder of the California Native Garden Foundation ... To read the whole article go to The Journal of Politics, People and Art |
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LincolnNewsMessenger.com Arts & Entertainment Friday, February 1, 2008 |
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Roseville & Rocklin Today Serving the communities of Roseville and Rocklin California Thursday, January 24, 2008 / Sierra College |
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TheCalifornian.com Home & Garden Digest Designing Native Gardens Monday March 10th at 7:30 PM |
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Los Angeles Times Calendar For the week of Jan 6th, 2008 Friday Jan 11th, 2008 To see the whole calendar go to Los Angeles Times calendarlive.com |
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North County Times Home briefs Jan. 3 2008 The California Native Plant Society hosts a California native plant sale, book signing and presentation at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at Casa del Prado, Room 101, Balboa Park, San Diego. Plant sale begins at 6:30 p.m. with plants from local native plant nurseries, including Tree of Life and Las Pilitas. Alrie Middlebrook, author of "Designing California Native Gardens: the Plant Community Approach to Artful Ecological Gardens," will discuss California native garden design and sign her book. Free. Visit www.cnpssd.org or e-mail info@cnpssd.org To read the whole article go to North County Times |
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Commonwealth Club of California Interview with Alrie Middlebrook Aug 3rd 2007 Listen to Alrie Middlebrook interview. |
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The Sun Local lore makes great last-minute gifts Dec. 18 2007 ..."Designing California Native Gardens" (University of California Press, $27.50), by Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook, is a gorgeous full-color book with several chapters geared to Inland Empire gardeners. "Desert Gardens" and "Chaparral," for example, deal with drought-tolerant landscaping, while "Montane Meadows" and "Mixed-Evergreen Forest" feature mountain gardening. "Oak Woodland" and "Grasslands" are for foothill and valley environments, respectively... To read the whole article go to The Sun |
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Alrie Middlebrook on Tomorrow Matters radio program with Deborah Lindsay Nov. 14 2007 Tomorrow Matters produced and hosted by Deborah and Spencer Lindsay, focuses on the local environmental solutions to the global ecological crises for a better world tomorrow. Topics include climate change, peak oil, permaculture, green business, alternative transportation, renewable energy and more. Listen to this daily program on www.deborahlindsay.com to learn how the Central Coast is lowering their collective footprint and how you can make a difference in your life, one step at a time, because for all of us, tomorrow really matters. Listen to Alrie Middlebrook interview in mp3 |
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MyMotherLode.com Right Plant: Right Place—the First Time Nov. 3 2007 Last month, I transplanted about 200 plants. When finished, I asked myself, “Why was that necessary?” Since moving plants already stressed by the long hot summer is risky, I uprooted only those with compelling reasons such as: too big, or too close to neighboring plants, or too much or too little sun. I left those that were the wrong color, texture and shape. In most instances, the underlying reality was, I should have paid better attention to plant characteristics, needs and intended location before buying and certainly before planting. In the future, the question to be answered is, “Is this the right plant for this place?” It will help to avoid costly, time consuming mistakes and increase the likelihood that both the plants and I will be happier with the results... To read the whole article go to MyMotherLode.com |
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Monterey Herald Native plants make practical gardens Oct. 13 2007 The advantages of native plant gardening can't be dismissed — less water usage, longer life, better for the local ecology.
To read the whole article go to Monterey Herald |
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Monterey Herald Home & Garden: Designer to give native planting talk in Pacific Grove Oct. 8 2007 San Jose native garden designer Alrie Middle brook will lead a Monterey Bay regional plant discussion on Oct. 18 in Pacific Grove.
To read the whole article go to Monterey Herald |
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Argus Courier Ideas for replacing your lawn. Oct 3, 2007 My September column presented several reasons as to why a lawn, especially a large expanse of decorative lawn, is no longer appropriate in Sonoma County. A small lawn for toddlers or puppies to roll about on is wonderful ... To read the whole article go to Argus Courier |
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The Epoch Times Expert Says Our Lawns Have a Drinking Problem Thirteen ways to tackle global warming By Ivan Velinov Epoch Times San Francisco Staff Aug 16, 2007 "Lose your lawn" has been the call of a campaign spearheaded by Alrie Middlebrook, a California landscape professional and native plants specialist calling on people to mitigate their carbon-footprint by replacing their lawns with native gardens. Middlebrook is a founder and president of Middlebrook Gardens, the award-winning design and building firm located in San José. The company is an innovator and industry leader ... To read the whole article go to The Epoch Times |
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Los Gatos Observer Sustainable Landscape, Native Plants in Los Gatos By Alastair Dallas 08/08/07 Los Gatan Alrie Middlebrook, founder of Middlebrook Gardens, a design/build firm specializing in California native gardening and sustainable landscaping ... To read the whole article go to The Los Gatos Observer |
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Petaluma Argus Courier Learning about California natives By Alastair Dallas Wednesday, Aug 1, 2007 "“Designing California Native Gardens" by Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook, published by University of California Press, is full of color photos. Each chapter describes an ecosystem, such as ... To read the whole article go toThe Petaluma Argus Courier |
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The Mercury News Landscaping secrets from Santana Row MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND THE RIOT OF COLOR AND TEXTURE AT SAN JOSE HOT SPOT By Holly Hayes 07/21/2007 If you're a plant person, you just might think that Kathy Finley has about the coolest job in Silicon Valley. I sure do. Consider: She has all of San Jose's swanky Santana Row as her "canvas" for creating horticultural displays in bedding areas and containers. She gets paid to shop for plants at Northern California's eclectic collection of retail and wholesale nurseries and growing grounds. She has a crew of five to help install and maintain what she dreams up. Her supervisors are always encouraging her to "go crazy, Kathy!" To read the whole article go to the The Mercury News |
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For Immediate Release March 16, 2007 Contact: Gabriel McDowell Alrie Middlebrook (408) 757-3445 (408) 292-9993 gabe@808media.com info@middlebrook-gardens.com Native Garden Designer Teams with Renowned Field Botanist in Ground Breaking New Book SAN JOSE- Alrie Middlebrook, the San Jose-based native garden designer, The book champions the diversity and beauty of California's native plants The book is available now for pre-order purchase online at: “California native gardens are sustainable gardens. They are ecological, beautiful, The book release marks the beginning of Middlebrook's yearlong tour of California,Alrie Middlebrook is recognized as a leader in California native gardening, and is a committed advocate and practitioner of ecology-based landscaping. She has designed and built over 150 California native gardens. She co-authored the groundbreaking book "Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens." Her award-winning firm, Middlebrook Gardens, specializes in natives and sustainable landscaping. For more information please visit www.middlebrook-gardens.com, or contact info@middlebrook-gardens.com, (408) 292-9993. Glenn Keator is a free-lance botanist, teacher, and writer in the Bay Area. # # # |
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For Immediate Release
September 22, 2006 Contact: Gabriel McDowell
(408) 757-3445
gabe@808media.com
"California Colors" Celebrates Fall Colors, West Coast Style! - Middlebrook Gardens, Native Revival Nursery Host Open House/Plant Sale
SAN JOSE, CA - Fall is the time to plant a California native garden! Celebrate, learn, and appreciate the beauty of California's native rich natural heritage at the first annual "California Colors" fall open house, hosted by Middlebrook Gardens and Native Revival Nursery. The event features garden tours, demonstration gardens, presentations and native plant sale.
"California Colors" takes place Saturday, October 14, 2006. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Middlebrook Gardens, 76 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126 ( 408) 292-9993. Open to the public, free admission. For more information, please visit www.middlebrook-gardens.com, info@middlebrook-gardens.com. A portion of proceeds benefit the California Native Garden Foundation. More info at www.cngf.org.
"Be good to mother earth and be good to yourself," said Alrie Middlebrook. "Bring the beauty of California into your garden by planting California native plants."
Alrie Middlebrook is founder and president of Middlebrook Gardens, the award-winning garden design and building firm located in San Jose, California. Middlebrook Gardens is an innovator and industry leader the use of native plants and sustainable landscape technology. For more information, please visit http://www.middlebrook-gardens.com/, or call (408) 292-9993.
Native Revival Nursery is dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Bay Area. Their goal is to offer both plants and information to allow individuals to restore the ecology of their own backyard. For more information please visit www.nativerevival.com. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2006 Thirteen Ways To Stop Global Warming - Alrie Middlebrook Leads Groundbreaking Garden Workshop -
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA ¾ Alrie Middlebrook, the San Jose-based sustainable landscape designer and California native gardening expert, leads an informative workshop entitled “Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," at the Smart Gardening Faire, in Scotts Valley, CA, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Smart Gardening Faire takes place on Saturday, June 24, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Sky Park, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, (831) 438-1010. For more information, please visit www.smartgardening.org. In " Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," Alrie Middlebrook conducts an enlightening review of the materials, techniques, and science of sustainable/native gardening. She discusses the benefits of native gardening and their impact on global ecological health. Alrie Middlebrook said, "Don’t blame global warming only on energy consumption and industrial pollution. If you really want to do something positive about your own health and the health of the planet, rip out your lawn and plant a California native garden!"
ABOUT ALRIE MIDDLEBROOK Alrie Middlebrook is recognized the world over as a leading expert on California native gardening, and is a committed advocate and leading practitioner of ecology-based landscaping. She has designed and built over 150 California native gardens. Her award-winning firm, Middlebrook Gardens, specializes in sustainable landscape technology. For more information, please visit: www.middlebrook-gardens.com, www.losethelawn.com, or call: (408) 292-9993.
ABOUT SMART GARDENING FAIRE The Smart Gardening Faire is a free, one-day Event offering research-based, up-to-date best practices for sustainable gardening and landscaping. The event features highly qualified speakers and local, gardening-oriented non-profit groups and private businesses to participate in offering information and other resources to advance smart gardening practices. The Faire includes a wide variety of informational presentations and activities, and complements the Monterey Bay Master Gardener's ongoing educational programs and project.
THIRTEEN
WAYS TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING 1. Plant a California native garden utilizing plants that naturally occur at your site. Native plants thrive where they have evolved and are accustomed to, it can survive on annual rainfall. The establishment period is 2 years. 2. Protect your watershed. The less impervious surface you retain on your property, the more rainfall will stay on your property. When you create a garden, try to retain all of your rainfall on your property. If you have concrete on site, renew, reuse or recycle it in creative ways, such as breaking it up and re-laying it for a porous driveway or patio, stacking it for raised beds or planters, staining it and re-laying. It as attractive stepping stones or recycling it for future use by others. City recycling centers will accept your broken concrete: http://www.sjrecycles.org/business/cddd-certified-facilities.htm These facilities will let you pick up recycled concrete as well. 3. Don’t use new concrete in garden construction. After the burning of fossil fuels, the manufacture of cement is the number two contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. If you must use concrete, limit its use and request that ‘fly ash’ be used as an additive, or use porous concrete. Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal and in addition to being a filler actually improves the concrete. Ask your contractor to add it to the mix. http://www.flyash.com/flyashenvironment.asp Porous concrete is comprised of pea gravel and concrete. Water drains through it. Several local concrete companies now supply porous or ‘pervious’ concrete, e.g. http://centralconcrete.com/pervious_concrete.html 4. If you must irrigate, do not use spray/sprinkler systems. A sizable amount of the water is lost to evaporation. Use drip, soaker, bubbler, microspray or an underground irrigation system. The one exception is using overhead spray to establish a native bunch grass/wildflower meadow during the establishment period. 5. Lose your Lawn! Up to 60% of household water is used on lawns. And throw away your lawn mower. Two cycle engines are the most polluting engines in America. Replace your lawn with a native meadow, native ground cover or a turf substitute. FieldTurf makes a replicated grass product that looks just like grass and has a natural feel, yet is manufactured from recycled plastic and ground up recycled tennis shoes. It is guaranteed for 15 years. http://www.fieldturf.com/product/nikeGrind.cfm 6. Don’t use oil-derived pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Compost and keep worm bins. Break the chemical dependence cycle. If it has the word “kill” on the package, be very wary of buying it. Your soil is alive and these chemicals can kill your soil (yes, even the fertilizers). Iron-based slug killer and safer ‘organic’ pesticides on the market including pyrethrins, essential oils and soaps may work more slowly, but you will come out ahead in the end. Reminder: All pesticides should be handled with care. Read labels carefully. 7. Register your garden as a certified national wildlife habitat. (National Wildlife Federation http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/createhabitat.cfm). Encourage children to visit your garden. Create places for frogs, birds, butterflies, toads and lizards. Create a small water feature. Leave detritus for animal cover and protection. Be a part of educating the next generation to feel connected to Mother Earth and learning the responsibilities of protecting Her. 8. Use solar power to operate fountains, gates, lighting and power in garden sheds and cottages. 9. Grow some of your own food organically. Plant fruit trees and vegetables as landscaping plants. If you can’t harvest your food, contribute it to those who need it. Work with local non-profit harvesting agencies such as Village Harvest: http://www.villageharvest.org/ 10. Use recycled material and products and certified sustainable products in garden construction. Trex, for example, is made primarily with recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood. Beware: not all composite woods use recycled products. Use ‘Forest Council Certified’ wood and other recycled materials existing on site. Check http://www.RecycleWorks.org for materials you need. 11. Buy from local suppliers. Limit your driving. Order materials online. Have materials delivered to your site. 12. Use tree trimmings for mulch or recycled products like Pro-Chip, which is produced from curbside recycled garden waste. Apply generously to a depth of three inches minimum. It keeps your soil moist, reducing the need for irrigation. Many local tree service companies will give you mulch for free. Pro-Chip is available at local landscape supply companies, like South Bay Materials, as well as from BFI http://www.interquix.com/organics/decmul.htm 13. Use weed cloth under mulch. This will allow the native plants to become established by repressing invasive weeds that can sneak through mulch. Four hours of weeding in the sun will having you wishing you had used weed cloth. Install it from the start and smile every time you walk by your weed-free garden beds.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mar. 8, 2006 "Smart
Garden" Revolution Kicks Off at San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
-
Innovative Gardens Create Stylish Habitat, Eliminate Pesticides, Reduce
Petroleum Use, Bring Nature to Urban Neighborhoods-
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2006 Thirteen Ways To Stop Global Warming - Alrie Middlebrook Leads Groundbreaking Garden Workshop -
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA ¾ Alrie Middlebrook, the San Jose-based sustainable landscape designer and California native gardening expert, leads an informative workshop entitled “Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," at the Smart Gardening Faire, in Scotts Valley, CA, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Smart Gardening Faire takes place on Saturday, June 24, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Sky Park, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, (831) 438-1010. For more information, please visit www.smartgardening.org. In " Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming, Save Water and Have a Beautiful Natural Garden," Alrie Middlebrook conducts an enlightening review of the materials, techniques, and science of sustainable/native gardening. She discusses the benefits of native gardening and their impact on global ecological health. Alrie Middlebrook said, "Don’t blame global warming only on energy consumption and industrial pollution. If you really want to do something positive about your own health and the health of the planet, rip out your lawn and plant a California native garden!"
ABOUT ALRIE MIDDLEBROOK Alrie Middlebrook is recognized the world over as a leading expert on California native gardening, and is a committed advocate and leading practitioner of ecology-based landscaping. She has designed and built over 150 California native gardens. Her award-winning firm, Middlebrook Gardens, specializes in sustainable landscape technology. For more information, please visit: www.middlebrook-gardens.com, www.losethelawn.com, or call: (408) 292-9993.
ABOUT SMART GARDENING FAIRE The Smart Gardening Faire is a free, one-day Event offering research-based, up-to-date best practices for sustainable gardening and landscaping. The event features highly qualified speakers and local, gardening-oriented non-profit groups and private businesses to participate in offering information and other resources to advance smart gardening practices. The Faire includes a wide variety of informational presentations and activities, and complements the Monterey Bay Master Gardener's ongoing educational programs and project.
THIRTEEN
WAYS TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING 1. Plant a California native garden utilizing plants that naturally occur at your site. Native plants thrive where they have evolved and are accustomed to, it can survive on annual rainfall. The establishment period is 2 years. 2. Protect your watershed. The less impervious surface you retain on your property, the more rainfall will stay on your property. When you create a garden, try to retain all of your rainfall on your property. If you have concrete on site, renew, reuse or recycle it in creative ways, such as breaking it up and re-laying it for a porous driveway or patio, stacking it for raised beds or planters, staining it and re-laying. It as attractive stepping stones or recycling it for future use by others. City recycling centers will accept your broken concrete: http://www.sjrecycles.org/business/cddd-certified-facilities.htm These facilities will let you pick up recycled concrete as well. 3. Don’t use new concrete in garden construction. After the burning of fossil fuels, the manufacture of cement is the number two contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. If you must use concrete, limit its use and request that ‘fly ash’ be used as an additive, or use porous concrete. Fly ash is a byproduct of burning coal and in addition to being a filler actually improves the concrete. Ask your contractor to add it to the mix. http://www.flyash.com/flyashenvironment.asp Porous concrete is comprised of pea gravel and concrete. Water drains through it. Several local concrete companies now supply porous or ‘pervious’ concrete, e.g. http://centralconcrete.com/pervious_concrete.html 4. If you must irrigate, do not use spray/sprinkler systems. A sizable amount of the water is lost to evaporation. Use drip, soaker, bubbler, microspray or an underground irrigation system. The one exception is using overhead spray to establish a native bunch grass/wildflower meadow during the establishment period. 5. Lose your Lawn! Up to 60% of household water is used on lawns. And throw away your lawn mower. Two cycle engines are the most polluting engines in America. Replace your lawn with a native meadow, native ground cover or a turf substitute. FieldTurf makes a replicated grass product that looks just like grass and has a natural feel, yet is manufactured from recycled plastic and ground up recycled tennis shoes. It is guaranteed for 15 years. http://www.fieldturf.com/product/nikeGrind.cfm 6. Don’t use oil-derived pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Compost and keep worm bins. Break the chemical dependence cycle. If it has the word “kill” on the package, be very wary of buying it. Your soil is alive and these chemicals can kill your soil (yes, even the fertilizers). Iron-based slug killer and safer ‘organic’ pesticides on the market including pyrethrins, essential oils and soaps may work more slowly, but you will come out ahead in the end. Reminder: All pesticides should be handled with care. Read labels carefully. 7. Register your garden as a certified national wildlife habitat. (National Wildlife Federation http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/createhabitat.cfm). Encourage children to visit your garden. Create places for frogs, birds, butterflies, toads and lizards. Create a small water feature. Leave detritus for animal cover and protection. Be a part of educating the next generation to feel connected to Mother Earth and learning the responsibilities of protecting Her. 8. Use solar power to operate fountains, gates, lighting and power in garden sheds and cottages. 9. Grow some of your own food organically. Plant fruit trees and vegetables as landscaping plants. If you can’t harvest your food, contribute it to those who need it. Work with local non-profit harvesting agencies such as Village Harvest: http://www.villageharvest.org/ 10. Use recycled material and products and certified sustainable products in garden construction. Trex, for example, is made primarily with recycled plastic grocery bags, reclaimed pallet wrap and waste wood. Beware: not all composite woods use recycled products. Use ‘Forest Council Certified’ wood and other recycled materials existing on site. Check http://www.RecycleWorks.org for materials you need. 11. Buy from local suppliers. Limit your driving. Order materials online. Have materials delivered to your site. 12. Use tree trimmings for mulch or recycled products like Pro-Chip, which is produced from curbside recycled garden waste. Apply generously to a depth of three inches minimum. It keeps your soil moist, reducing the need for irrigation. Many local tree service companies will give you mulch for free. Pro-Chip is available at local landscape supply companies, like South Bay Materials, as well as from BFI http://www.interquix.com/organics/decmul.htm 13. Use weed cloth under mulch. This will allow the native plants to become established by repressing invasive weeds that can sneak through mulch. Four hours of weeding in the sun will having you wishing you had used weed cloth. Install it from the start and smile every time you walk by your weed-free garden beds. |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Mar. 8, 2006 "Smart
Garden" Revolution Kicks Off at San Francisco Flower & Garden Show
-
Innovative Gardens Create Stylish Habitat, Eliminate Pesticides, Reduce
Petroleum Use, Bring Nature to Urban Neighborhoods-
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