Orange County Herb Society

Purpose ·  Time and Location ·  Program Schedule ·  Membership ·  Library

Links ·  Directions ·  Garden Calendar ·  Seasonal Guide to Herb Gardening

Schedule 2011 - 2012

September 4, 2011
     Garden Presentation
     Fairy Gardens
     Cottage Nursery Gardens
October 3, 2011
     Presentation
     Calif. Native Plants
     with Martha Murphy
November 7, 2011
     Demonstration
     Unique homemade Pots
     with Ulla Holmes
December 5, 2011
     Herbal Workshop
     Holiday Craft / wreaths
     hands on workshop
     with Ruth Wash
January 1, 2012
     No Meeting
     Holiday
     Happy New Year
January 21, 2012
     Rose Pruning Event
     visit the OCHS
     9 am - noon
     Heritage Museum
     in Santa Ana
     The 2012 herb of
     the year is the
     ROSE.
February 5, 2012
     Tea Party
     Please bring tea
     sandwiches or a dessert
March 4, 2012
     Garden Presentation
     TBA
April 1, 2012
     Garden Presentation
     TBA

April 14-15, 2012
     Green Scene
     visit the OCHS
     at the Green Scene
     at the Fullerton
      Arboretum.
    10 am - 4 pm.

May 6, 2012
     Field Trip
     TBA
June 3, 2012
     Garden Tour
     and
     Plant Exchange
     Location: TBA


Updated 1-3-12
Web Designer

Membership:

picture of herbs

Our meetings are free to guests. Please join us at the next meeting and speak to the membership chairperson about joining. Membership for the OCHS is only $20 per person or $30 for two members at the same address annually. Membership includes a monthly newsletter, discount on our field trip, and access to the OCHS library. The OCHS does not prorate dues and memberships expire in May.
Click Here for a membership application.

Time and Location:

The OCHS meets September through June on the first Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m. The meetings are located in the Carriage Barn at the
Heritage Museum, 3101 W. Harvard, Santa Ana (Orange County), California.
Go to www.heritagemuseumoc.org for more information.

Directions to the Museum

Purpose:

The OCHS is a garden club that promotes an interest in the knowledge and use of herbs for educational purposes.

Meeting may include:
  • Herbal Presentations
  • Herbal Crafts
  • Tea Parties
  • Field Trips

Library:

Books The OCHS has a small library of herbal books available for members to check out. Library books are checked out for one month and are due at the next meeting. For a list of library books click on the books.

The International Herb Association
pick for the Herb of the Year for 2012 is the Rose.

Links of Interest: Links to Botanical Gardens, Arboretums, Nurseries, and Garden supplies.

Garden Events Calendar: Workshops, classes, garden shows, plant sales, etc. in and around Southern California.

Great Herbs to Plant this Winter:
Most herbs can be planted year round in Southern California..

  • Winter in Southern California is when the temperature is just about perfect to go out and work in the yard. Take advantage of the cooler weather to plant cool-season herbs or short-lived herbs. e.g. anise, arugula, borage, chervil, chamomile, chives, cilantro, dill, fennel, garlic chives, lovage, parsley, salad burnet, sorrel and tansy.

  • Chives, feverfew, lavender, lemon balm, lemon grass, and rosemary can be planted year round.

  • Divide perennial clumps: mint, lemon balm, lemon grass, and oregano.

  • Prune back foliage damaged by winds and winter weather.

  • Trim lavender heavily to remove woody growth. Prune out every third branch.

  • Remove weeds from your garden before they flower and go to seed.

  • Lemon Verbena has deciduous foliage, tolerate its stems during the winter. In the spring you will be treated to fresh green lemon scented leaves.

  • Snails love the cool, wet winters of Southern California. Be sure to control them now before they multiply heavily in the Spring.

  • Feed and prune indoor herbs to avoid spindly, etiolated stems due to low light. Plant indoor herbs in a well draining potting mix, like cactus soil. Herbs like soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged.

  • Organize your garden work basket, garden shed, or garden supplies area.

  • Wash clay and plastic pots. Soak the pots in vinegar and then clean them.

  • Clean, sharpen, and oil your garden tools. Replace hack saw blades. Repair fences, paths, and trellis.

  • Clean out old fertilizers and insect sprays and dispose of properly.
    Go to www.oclandfills.com
    House Hold Hazardous Waste Collection Center for more information.

  • Order seeds from catalogs

  • Seeds can be started indoors as early as late February or early March.

Disclaimer:

*Information presented at Orange County Herb Society meetings and on this Web Site is for educational & historical purposes only. The Orange County Herb Society does not give personal advice on the medicinal uses of herbs. Always refer all health issues to your health care provider. Words like Natural or Organic do NOT mean Safe.