Valley of the Moon Garden Club: What’s going on in the vineyards?

Living in Sonoma, we are lucky to be just minutes away from country roads, open space and agricultural land. For those who enjoy wine, the sight of green rows of grape vines is a pleasure. Some may not see it that way, yet vineyards are a sustainable and viable crop in Sonoma, and many prefer it to urban sprawl.

The Valley of the Moon Garden Club is hosting Dennis Przybycien at its Thursday, March 2, meeting for a presentation on activities in the vineyards.

As a Sonoma County Master Gardener, Przybycien often gets questions about what is going on in the vineyards. He will take attendees on a tour of Sonoma Valley and point out some the spring activities that are required to keep the vines healthy and productive. Questions and discussion after his presentation will be welcomed.

Przybycien retired after 35 years from his job as a research chemist at Kaiser Aluminum. After moving from Pleasanton to Sonoma in 2001, he began an extensive hobby as grape grower and wine maker, attending classes at Santa Rosa Junior College and Napa Valley College.

In 2009, he was invited to join the Sonoma County Master Gardener program of the University of California, where he became a grape growing specialist and developed programs for fire-safe landscaping and water conservation.

Soon after moving to Sonoma, Przybycien and wife Olga joined the Valley of the Moon Garden Club, where they met many of their lasting friends.

The meeting will be at Burlingame Hall First inside Congregational Church, 252 W. Spain St. in Sonoma. Meet and greet time will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation will start at 7 p.m. Members can attend for free and the guest fee is $5. A plant raffle and refreshments will follow the meeting. Chairs will be spaced, and masks are by choice.

To learn more, visit the club’s website at vom-garden-club.org.