Building a native habitat garden in Sonoma

The Valley of the Moon Garden Club will feature Sonoma County Master Gardener Bill Klausing at its Thursday, Nov. 2 meeting.

According to Garden Club members, each decision the home gardener makes has a significant effect on the web of living things in their own backyard. By building a mostly native habitat garden, a landscape can be environmentally sound, waterwise and quite beautiful. At the meeting, gardeners will learn helpful tips for attracting more native birds, bees, and other insects to a landscape. Many plants native to Sonoma County will be discussed and the usefulness of a habitat garden will be highlighted.

Klausing has been an avid gardener for several decades, mostly in the Midwest. His 2008 relocation to Sonoma County has resulted in a “gardener’s re-education” to our Mediterranean climate emphasizing organic practices, and he now espouses an enthusiasm for native plantings and habitat support. His photos will show how he has developed his suburban home landscape from fairly barren to beautiful and habitat bountiful.

There is a meet-and-greet at 6:30 before the 7 p.m. lecture at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 First St. W.

It is free for club members and $5 for guests. A plant raffle and refreshments will follow the meeting. For questions, call 935-8986.