THE COASTAL GARDENER:

You’re a novice gardener in Orange County and you want to learn more. You’re ready to get serious about your outdoor space, you want to educate yourself and you want to grow a better garden.

Last week we poked some fun at a few of the national television shows dedicated to gardening. It wasn’t that these shows were deceptive or poorly produced. It was just that gardening is a regional activity, especially here in the mild, Mediterranean climate of Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and Southern California. Much of the gardening information intended for a national audience is going to frustrate a gardener in Orange County.

Judy, one of those local gardeners, here in Costa Mesa, pointed out to me that although I warned locals where not to get a gardening education, I failed to provide any alternative suggestions.

Thanks, Judy. So here are a few ideas about learning to garden — here in Orange County.

Local nurseries seem like an obvious place to start (especially since this is where I’ve spent the past 30 years).

Find a nursery that fits your style and gardening taste, then get to know the staff. Talk to the them. After a couple of visits and a few conversations you’ll find a favorite, one who is knowledgeable and whom you can trust.

In my experience, the folks working at nurseries are some of the friendliest and most trustworthy people at any business. The very reason they work at nurseries is that they absolutely love plants, love gardening and love other gardeners. They’re warm, friendly and would love to help you be a more successful gardener.

You will need a good reference book or two, but they must apply to Southern California. Forget 90% of the books on the shelf at the local bookstore; they just don’t make sense in our area. The two must-have books for a local gardener are “Sunset’s Western Garden Book” and “Pat Welsh’s Southern California Gardening.” Be sure you have the most recent edition of both books, published in 2007 and 2000, respectively.

Attend workshops and seminars about local gardening topics that interest you. Research these a bit to be sure they are credible programs — not sales pitches, then attend as often as you can, take lots of notes and soak up the information. Some excellent gardening seminars and educational programs are at the Fullerton Arboretum and Sherman Library & Gardens.

I am proud of the free educational seminars just about every weekend at Roger’s Gardens. The programs offered in our amphitheater are among the best and most helpful of any in Southern California. The advice is local, accurate and presented by true gardening experts.

Attending local garden club meetings is a great way to improve your skills on specific topics. Most groups have monthly meetings with expert speakers on a huge variety of topics.

But be careful; my favorite local groups don’t include social get-togethers where the fruit bars and brand of coffee are more important than the meeting. If you really want to learn something, other than a cookie recipe, go to a meeting of The California Rare Fruit Growers, The Cactus and Succulent Society of America, The Orange County Rose Society or The California Native Plant Society.

During the spring months, be sure to sign up to attend a home garden tour or two. These are among the most educational experiences for local gardeners. Great home gardeners open up their private gardens to the public for a few hours. You get a rare chance to see, touch, feel and smell real gardens and talk one-on-one to the gardeners who made them. As usual, I’ll publish the dates and contact information for these local events in this column, at the beginning of tour season, usually in April.

If you’re wanting some of the very best training anywhere in California and are a serious gardener, consider becoming a UC master gardener. After 50 hours of extensive, science-based training by university staff of other experts you will graduate to be one of the gardening elite in Orange County, a master gardener. You’ll be ready to apply your knowledge to your own garden as well as share it with others in the community.

There are more ways to learn about local gardening; great classes at OCC, a very good website at TheMulch.com, local publications like Pacific Horticulture and Garden Compass and more.

The common thread you may have noticed in my suggestions is that aspiring gardeners should get their advice locally, from a trusted source that truly understands the uniqueness of gardening in Southern California.

ASK RON

Question: Where can I get a rebate application for a new “Smart” irrigation controller I just had installed?

Answer: Water-saving Smart irrigation controllers are available for rebates in most parts of Orange County. Nurseries that sell these controllers should have the rebate applications available or download one at www.mwdoc.com/SmarTimer/homeowners/rebate application.htm. You will need your original receipt and a copy of your latest water bill.

ASK RON your toughest gardening questions, and the expert nursery staff at Roger’s Gardens will come up with an answer. Please include your name, phone number and city, and limit queries to 30 words or fewer. E-mail stumpthegardener@rogersgardens.com, or write to Plant Talk at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

RON VANDERHOFF is the Nursery Manager at Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar.