July Special Events

All Shows and Events are Free

July 7, Saturday – 11am: Japanese Garden Fence and Gate Completion Ceremony. Meet in the Japanese Garden to honor Jay van Arsdale and his students for their beautiful work on this traditional Japanese fence and gate.

July 14, Saturday - 11am to 3pm:  Lakeside Park Open House: The City of Oakland Parks & Recreation Department in collaboration with Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt invite you to explore and celebrate Oakland’s Oasis. The Gardens at Lake Merritt Edible Garden will  feature demonstrations and complimentary refreshments. Also enjoy live music, overall garden tours, Free Lake Merritt boat rentals, and fun activites at the Nature Center and more. 

For more info visit: http://www.gardensatlakemerritt.org/opr-openhouse 

To RSVP on Facebook visit: http://www.facebook.com/events/463027883710515/

July 17, Tuesday –  7:30pm:  East Bay Bonsai Society Bonsai Auction.

July 20 and 21, Friday and Saturday – noon-5pm:  Golden State Lily Society Show & Sale in the Lakeside Park Garden Center.

July 27, Friday – 7:30pm: Sydney Mitchell Iris  Society Bearded Iris  Sale in the Lakeside Park Garden Center.

July 28, Saturday – noon-1pm: Alameda County Master Gardeners present Native bees: learn all about our amazing bees and how to attract them to your garden. Native bee advocate and expert Celeste Ets-Hokin will inspire you to create beautiful bee habitat in your backyard. Download the full Workshop Series schedule here: 2012 Lake Merritt Trials Garden MG Workshop Series. The talk will take place in the Community Edible Gardens. Chairs are provided. For more information, visit  http://acmg.ucdavis.edu/Demonstration_Gardens/Lakeside_Trials_Garden/

July 22, Sunday -1pm-3pm: Introduction to Bonsai: Interactive Demo and Questions in the Bonsai Garden. This free workshop (held every fourth Sunday of the month) covers the art of Bonsai including techniques, styling, care and grooming.  You are welcome to bring your own tree for some TLC.

Community Work Party Events 

” A special thanks to the volunteers for making these Gardens the pride of Oakland,” Dick Austin, President, Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt

Every Thursday Morning – 9:00am to noon:  Meet at the Succulent  Garden.

Every Tuesday Evening – 5:30pm-7:00pm: Meet in the Sensory Garden.

July 7, Saturday- 9am-1:30pm: Mediterranean and Succulent Gardens. 

July 21, Saturday- 9am-12pm:   Sensory, Palmetum, and Rhododendron Gardens

July 21, Saturday – 10am-noon: Edible Community Garden.  Accepting  New Volunteers. Meet at the People’s Victory Garden.

July 25, Wednesday -3:30 pm: Edible Community Garden.  Accepting New Volunteers. Meet at People’s Victory Garden.

Bring a friend and a garden tool. When volunteering, tell the kiosk  attendant you are a volunteer with the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt for free parking.

July Gardening Tips

Prepared by the Alameda County Master Gardeners

• Continue to fertilize, water, harvest and deadhead flowers to keep them blooming.
• Check often for pests, disease and weeds.
• Some summer crops can still be planted—early corn, beans, summer squash.
• Check to be sure that your irrigation system is working and meets the needs of your garden.

For more information on gardening tips and information from the Alameda County Master Gardeners, go to http://acmg.ucdavis.edu/

Photo by Ami Capen