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Bonsai 101: Learn basics in new workshop

Find out how to transform houseplants into living art at Green Acres in Elk Grove

These dwarf umbrella trees, aka scheffleras, are of  the plants that can become bonsai during a workshop Saturday at the Elk Grove Green Acres store.

These dwarf umbrella trees, aka scheffleras, are of the plants that can become bonsai during a workshop Saturday at the Elk Grove Green Acres store. Kathy Morrison

As the weather cools, our garden interests turn indoors. That includes growing little trees in pots.

Learn the basic techniques of bonsai during a beginner’s class at Green Acres Nursery & Supply’s Elk Grove store on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Set for 10 a.m. Saturday, “Bonsai 101” will introduce the concepts and skills of this age-old gardening skill. Through thoughtful pruning and root constriction, plants that would grow several feet tall can be artfully kept small and tidy for years, even decades – while displaying their mature form in miniature.

For this class, participants can choose from three different indoor plants – Ming aralia (aka Polyscias fruticosa), Ficus benjamina (weeping fig) or Schefflera (umbrella tree). The workshop includes a 6-inch specimen plant plus potting material, 10-inch bonsai pot, soil, moss, decorative rock and a must-have tool, curved razor snips.

“Our experienced garden gurus will lead you through the process of potting and pruning an indoor bonsai plant,” says Green Acres. “Whether you come as a novice or expert, you’ll leave with the tools and knowledge to tend and shape your bonsai into a beautiful piece of art as it ages.”

Course fee is $55 and the workshop is limited to 20 participants. Sign up here:

https://idiggreenacres.com/products/create-class-elk-grove

Green Acres’ Elk Grove store is located at 9220 E. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove.

For directions and more details: https://idiggreenacres.com/

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Garden Checklist for week of April 27

Once the clouds clear, get to work. Spring growth is in high gear.

* Set out tomato, pepper and eggplant transplants.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash. Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom. Late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Transplant lettuce and cabbage seedlings.

* Weed, weed, weed! Don’t let unwanted plants go to seed.

* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Start thinning fruit that's formed on apple and stone fruit trees -- you'll get larger fruit at harvest (and avoid limb breakage) if some is thinned now. The UC recommendation is to thin fruit when it is about 3/4 of an inch in diameter. Peaches and nectarines should be thinned to about 6 inches apart; smaller fruit such as plums and pluots can be about 4 inches apart. Apricots can be left at 3 inches apart. Apples and pears should be thinned to one fruit per cluster of flowers, 6 to 8 inches apart.

* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

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