East County News Service

July 10, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)—From “dog days” strolls with your canine companion to classes on turf-tossing and glass-making, a stargazing party, a wine walk and an evening of music with the San Diego Concert Band, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has a wealth of enriching activities and events coming up later in July.

Here are highlights:

East County News Service

June 28, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 12^th to mark the opening of its newest exhibit, a 400-square foot Native Habitat Garden at the six-acre venue.  Honored guests included San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Louise Andres, Rotary International Governor, District 5340.  The Habitat Garden, underwritten by several east San Diego County Rotary clubs, will demonstrate ecology landscaping, a growing gardening movement that emphasizes native plants grown in their natural associations, creating optimal habitat for birds, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife. The exhibit will also demonstrate best practices for water-wise design, storm water pollution prevention, on-site water reclamation, and gray water systems.

April 12, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to its second-annual Butterfly Festival for an exciting program of activities that will engage all ages with butterflies on Saturday, May 9^th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The event highlights the important role that these insects play in our ecosystem and how visitors can attract and support butterflies in their home gardens using drought-tolerant plants.  Activities include:

February 6, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) -- If you're looking for some creative ideas for landscaping your yard, the Water Conesrvation Garden has classes coming up on Hillside Gardening February 7th and Garden Design February 28th.  The Water Conservation Garden is located at Cuyamaca College in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon.

June 27, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The Chambers of East County are all getting together this year to co-host Politics in Paradise on Thursday, August 7^th from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Elected officials at the federal, state and local level are invited to participate in a lively panel discussion and take questions and answers from the audience.

January 31, 2014 (El Cajon ) -- Amid our worst drought in California history, here are some options for learning how to reduce water use in your garden.

The Water Conservation Garden on the campus of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon is offering two garden workshops on Saturday, February 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Those interested can choose “Toss the Turf,” a workshop to learn the variety of ways to remove your turf once and for all, and what to do with your yard once it's gone.  You must register at www.thegarden.org.

The other choice is a free Home Compost Workshop, also on Saturday, February 1st from 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon, where participants can learn the basics of composting, how to compost with worms, and how to save in the process.

By Janis Mork

 April 24, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)- The 20^th annual spring garden festival hosted by the Water Conservation Garden and Cuyamaca College, will be taking place this Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cuyamaca College. This festival includes experts on raising urban chickens, beekeeping and vegetable gardening, as well as garden professionals, a plant sale, animal encounters for kids, live music and more.

Elizabeth Ramos, director of marketing and events at the Water Conservation Garden, participated in an exclusive interview with ECM last week to give more details about the garden’s mission and the festival.  Listen to a recording of our interview with Ramos here: http://kiwi6.com/file/df12etpwb7.  For more details, scroll down.

September 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will offer a fire-wise gardening seminar with Greg Rubin, native plant expert from California’s Own Native Landscape Design. Cost is $20 for members, $28 for nonmembers. The program will be held on Saturday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

For more information or to register, visit http://www.thegarden.org/calendar/index.php

August 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – Rose & the Nightingale’s concert Spirit of the Garden will be held August 11, at 7 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden Amphitheater,  12122 Cuyamaca College Dr. West, El Cajon.  Rose & the Nightingale is a New York City based quartet of world-class improvising vocalists and instrumentalists.  Spirit of the Garden blurs the boundaries of world music, folk and jazz improvisation for a unique sound.

July 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –  A premiere screening of  Watershed, will debut at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on July 28 at 8:15 p.m.  Tickets go on sale today. 

The film tells the story of threats to the once-mighty Colorado River—and offers solutions for the future of the American west.   It is produced by the Redford Center, established by actor Robert Redford.

November 4, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The Water Conservation Garden is offering a 20 minute landscape design consultation at the Fall Garden & Home Festival. A professional designer who focuses on drought tolerant landscapes will meet with you. After the meeting, you'll leave with design ideas, and a list of plants.

Bring photos of your house and the area you want designed. Also provide the dimensions of the space, and photos of design styles you like.

Fall Home & Garden Festival, Backyard Flock, Build a Scarecrow, Tamale Making 101, From Laundry to Landscape, Small Space Garden, and Gardening on a Rooftop

September 3, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites the public to enjoy its 2011 fall and winter events.  Gardening classes help residents save water and money by focusing on water-smart landscaping techniques and plants.  Classes are taught by professionals , with offerings for both adults and children. 

Scroll down for details on new classes sprouting up this season.

Options include a Valentine’s Day cooking class and tips on everything from growing vegetables to replacing water-thirsty lawns

December 3, 2010 (Rancho San Diego)--The public is invited to enjoy holiday-merry making at The Water Conservation Garden’s third annual ‘Holiday in the Garden’ event. The five-acre water-saving garden will be illuminated with thousands of energy-saving lights, courtesy of SDG&E.

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to save water--and reduce your bill?

Residents of San Diego’s unincorporated areas can pick up rain barrel systems for half-price ($30.35 + tax) this Saturday morning. The system is designed to connect to a roof downspout and gutters.  Residents who don’t qualify for the subsidy can buy a rain barrel system for $60.69.