Willow Glen Garden Club

10/06/2026

JOIN US: Andy Mariani on the History of Fruit Growing in Santa Clara Valley

As the master craftsman behind the world-famous Andy’s Orchard, Andy Mariani continues to cultivate the finest heirloom stone fruits grown anywhere.

From the historic Blenheim apricot orchards that once covered the landscape to the surviving farms of today, Andy will share personal stories, historical insights, and the passion that keeps a legendary heritage alive. We’ll also offer an engaging, orchard fruit-related activity.

Only a a few tickets remain! Registration Required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-last-fruit-master-tickets-2002166311334

• DATE: Tuesday, October 20
• TIME: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM (member club meeting follows at 8:00 PM)
• LOCATION: near downtown Willow Glen (location provided in registration)
• ADMISSION: Suggested $10.00 donation (can be applied toward an annual membership if you decide to join that evening).

10/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE! Andy Mariani, of Andy's Orchard will be our guest speaker on Tuesday, Oct 20, 6:30-8:00pm at our monthly member meeting near downtown Willow Glen.

For one special evening, this fruit industry icon is joining us to share his unmatched knowledge of the past, present, and future of farming in our valley.

Registration is required and will open up on Oct 7 for non-WGGC members. Link and additional details to follow in an upcoming FB post or check our website at https://willowglengardenclub.com/

Free for WGGC members. Suggested $10 donation for non-members.

10/02/2026

Great event if you're looking for some education and locally grown plants. Many members of our garden club will be there tomorrow!

Shop from hundreds of local vendors, talk to gardening experts about plant care, participate in a seed exchange, and more at this year’s Fall Garden Fair. Join the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County for this annual event from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Martial Cottle Park. See the full program at https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-santa-clara-county/fall-garden-fair.

09/14/2026

This weekend, several of our garden club members enjoyed a tour of the J&P Cosentino Family Farm. (Off Camden Ave near Hwy 85.)

Established in 1945, they are the last working farm in SJ. It was super interesting to hear about their traditional and environmentally friendly farming practices.

They grow peaches, apricots, plums, prunes, nectarines, apples, figs, bush berries, persimmons, grapes (and more) that can be bought at their farmstand. They also sell gourmet/specialty items made from local companies.

This time of year they have a wonderful pumpkin patch with all sorts of exotic varieties.

We hope they continue to get the community support they need to keep this little gem in business.

09/12/2026

THIS TUESDAY! Get Ready to Plant Your Winter Harvest

Time to start planning to swap your tomatoes for kale and carrots! Our local climate provides a wonderful environment for a productive winter vegetable garden.

UC Master Gardener and local vegetable expert Karen Schaffer will take us through the "when, what, and how" of planting fall and winter crops, including tips on soil preparation, weather protection, and water management.

Whether you have an expansive backyard or a few containers on a sunny patio, you'll leave inspired and ready to plant.

* DATE: Tuesday, September 15
* TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
* LOCATION: Willow Glen United Methodist Church (Wesley Room), 1420 Newport Ave (corner of Minnesota Ave)
* COST for NON-MEMBERS: $10 donation (Non-members can attend up to two of our meetings as a guest.)

If you're considering joining a garden club or just interested in this month's activity, come check us out!

09/08/2026

Here's some info from the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County re: Species Tulips. They do well in our climate and are waterwise.

Species Tulips

While most of the large-flowered tulips do not come back reliably after our mild winters, the smaller species tulips (sometimes called "wild tulips") will provide a repeat performance.

Can’t find the bulbs in plant nurseries? Mail order will be your best bet.

Species tulips are non-hybridized varieties, that are identical to their cousins still growing out in the wild on rocky hillsides in some places of the world such as Turkey, Syria, Greece, Northern Africa, Lebanon, Jordan and Mongolia.

Try Tulipa bakeri, Tulipa clusiana or Tulipa saxatilis. *Warning: gophers devour tulip bulbs*

Consider planting some now and let the winter rains water them. They don't like wet feet/roots in summertime and they do well in our Mediterranean climate of wet winters and dry summers. They are a great waterwise plant. Plant them in generous groupings; they tend to look best in clumps rather than formal rows.

More info about bulbs that naturalize well in our area:
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=43621

Photo: Tulipa bakeri

09/04/2026

GET READY TO PLANT YOUR WINTER HARVEST – Join us Tues, 9/15 to learn more!

Time to start planning to swap out your tomatoes for kale and carrots! Our local climate provides a wonderful environment for a productive winter vegetable garden.

UC Master Gardener and local vegetable expert Karen Schaffer will take us through the "when, what, and how" of planting fall and winter crops, including tips on soil preparation, weather protection, and water management.

Whether you have an expansive backyard or a few containers on a sunny patio, you'll leave inspired and ready to plant.

* DATE: Tuesday, September 15
* TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
* LOCATION: Willow Glen United Methodist Church (Wesley Room), 1420 Newport Ave (corner of Minnesota Ave)
* COST for NON-MEMBERS: $10 donation (Non-members can attend up to two of our meetings as a guest.)

If you're considering joining a garden club or just interested in this month's activity, come check us out!

08/18/2026

Looking for a year-round habitat plant? White Sage may be a good option for you.

08/18/2026

REMINDER... This talk is tonight.

GET AHEAD OF THE NEXT DROUGHT!
Santa Clara Valley Water is offering sizable rebates to single-family homeowners to ditch your grass and convert to low-water-use landscapes. The process requires strict pre-inspections before you begin your project. Skip the confusion and maximize your payout by joining us for this talk by Ashley Shannon, who coordinates these rebate programs. Following the presentation, we’ll have a group activity that will help you learn more about plants and strategies for reducing water use in your garden.

* DATE: Tuesday, August 18
* TIME: 6:30-8:30pm
* LOCATION: Willow Glen United Methodist Church (Wesley Room), 1420 Newport Ave (corner of Minnesota Ave)
* COST for NON-MEMBERS: Suggested $10 donation. (Non-members can attend up to two of our meetings as a guest.)

If you're considering joining a garden club or just interested in this month's activity, come check us out! See less